When we buy a new car/bike it comes with a first aid kit.
No one ever want a situation to arise where the first aid kit has to be used but due to ill fate such situation may arise. I have seen people frantically looking for cotton, gauzes or some basic medicines in case of an accident but the basic first aid is always been provided by the car/bike manufacturer. So keeping the first aid kit in a car/bike uptodate with some basic add on’s can be a savior in case of an emergency. The first thing i will say is- DO NOT PANIC, STAY CALM.
The first aid kit which came with my bike- The equipment’s and medicines provided are very basic and not very useful in a real emergency.
A list of essential supplies and medicines that can be included in your first aid kit:
With the help of my dad who is a doctor, I am jotting down some basic essential steps which can be performed in case of an emergency and requirements of a good first aid kit.
In case of an accident what we can do ourselves before shifting to hospital –
1) For bleeding anywhere except from the eye, put a roller gauze / cotton pad and apply adequate pressure on the bleeding site to control the bleeding. Remember, pressure WILL stop bleeding and blood loss.
2) In case of sprains or injury to muscles where its not bleeding, cold compress can give temporary relief with some pain killer spray on the injured site.
3) If it is bleeding from an eye, do not press hard, gently press it with cotton and rush to hospital.
4) In case of severe bleeding from a limb, take a rubber tourniquet , if not available take a piece of cloth and tie it prior to the bleeding spot.
5) For laceration in palm (common in bike accidents) put a roller gauze in your palm and close the fist firmly.
6) If its bleeding from ear or teeth put the roller gauze and press the affected site. Bleeding from inside the ear can be a result of severe internal injury too. So rush to hospital ASAP.
7) In case of nasal bleeding- If it is from the frontal end of the nose, bend forward and pinch the nose firmly.
If it is from behind the nose and you can feel blood is going to your mouth and throat, bend forward and rush to hospital.
8) Try to clean the wound with Povidone Iodine/ spirit / hydrogen peroxide /soap water whichever is handy.
9) If a bone is broken get a wooden splint. Place the broken arm or leg on it and tie it with a cloth and shift to hospital. One can also use a large spanner from one’s toolkit, as a splint.
10) If one is vomiting, attempt to keep the airway clear. Bend down the head forward, to prevent vomitus aspiration, and move to hospital ASAP.
11) If a person is unconscious, do not try to move him. If you are trained in basic life support (BLS), maintain ABC (airway, breathing, circulation). Take the help of another person if required. Shift to hospital ASAP.
12) If the victim is not responding and there is no pulse beat, one may try CPR (Cardio Pulmonary resuscitation) for few mins on the way to hospital.
In case of general physical discomfort –
1) In case of sudden sweating, unconsciousness, spinning of head a spoonful of sugar may come out to be handy.
2) If one feels like nauseated and is repeatedly vomiting due to motion sickness, an anti-emetic such as Ondansetron 4mg tablet may give some relief.
3) For headache keep an analgesic (painkiller) handy as prescribed by your physician.
4) An oral rehydration solution (ORS) can come out to be handy in case one feels fatigued out, especially when travelling during summer.
5) For sudden chest pain at the center (query heart origin) advice the patient to lie flat and do not exert. Shift the patient to hospital ASAP.
Many of us love to travel to mountains and we all are aware of Altitude sickness / AMS(Acute mountain sickness).
Few points to avoid AMS or get relief once AMS kicks in-
1) Drink plenty of water.
2) If you are travelling to a place which is infamous for AMS, taking drugs like Diamox prior to the trip will help to combat AMS, but please consult your physician before taking Diamox. People who are allergic to Sulfur drugs can have serious side effects.
3) If one is having head ache, nausea, breathlessness or cant sleep in night an Pulse Oxymeter can come out to be handy to monitor the oxygen level. In normal condition the reading should be 95+ but due to AMS it drops down. So measures can be taken accordingly. Dropping below 50 can be alarming. One must not exert much, once its below 80.
These are few basic points i have jotted down. Will request fellow Bhpians & doctors to add on their valuable advice’s which can be helpful to us.
Thanks & regards.
