CHRISTMAS is an eagerly anticipated time of the year for many, but it’s also when a significant number of accidents and ailments occur at home.
St John Ambulance, the island’s leading first aid charity, has provided first aid advice for a number of common festive injuries.
A charity spokesman said: ‘Putting up decorations, wrapping presents, playing with new gadgets and carving the turkey can all turn a joyous occasion into a wretched affair.’
Wounds and bleeding – small cuts and grazes usually only need cleaning and bandaging and will heal by themselves. Clean the wound with an alcohol-free wipe or run the wound under the tap, then apply a self adhesive plaster/sterile gauze.
For deep cuts, remove or cut any clothing away from the wound. Place a sterile wound dressing or non-fluffy pad over the wound. Apply firm pressure with your fingers or palm and raise and support the injured part so it is above the level of the casualty’s heart. Help the casualty to lie down.
Raise and support their legs to minimise the risk of shock. Secure a pad over the wound with a bandage. Check the circulation beyond the bandage every 10 minutes. Loosen and reapply the bandage if necessary.
Heart attack or indigestion? Overindulging on food is common and, as a result, so is indigestion and heartburn. Symptoms can be similar. Key symptoms of a heart attack are tightness in the chest and pain that spreads out from the chest to the arms or jaw. Sweating and shortness of breath is also common.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack call 999 immediately and, if the person is conscious, give them a single aspirin tablet to chew (300mg) unless they are allergic to it.
Breaks – fractures need to go to hospital, but beforehand, you should make sure the injured person is kept still and the break supported with your hands or by being bandaged.
Choking – ask them if they are choking and encourage them to cough. If they are unable to speak, cough or breathe, carry out the following instructions.
Adults and children (older than one year): if the obstruction is severe, give five sharp blows to the back by supporting the chest with one hand while getting them to lean forwards. Check the mouth for any obstruction. If this doesn’t work, give up to five abdominal thrusts by standing behind the casualty, while ensuring they are leaning forwards, and putting both arms around the upper part of their abdomen. Clench your fist and place it between the navel and the bottom of the breastbone.
Hold your fist with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times. Check the mouth again. If, after repeating three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts, the obstruction does not clear, call an ambulance and continue until it arrives.
Infants (under one year): if the infant is unable to breathe, cry or cough, lay them face down along your forearm with the head low but supported and give up to five back blows with the heel of your hand. If this fails, turn the baby onto their back and proceed with five chest thrusts.
To do this, use two fingers to push upwards and outwards against the infant’s breastbone. If the obstruction is not clear, repeat the back blows and chest thrusts. Call 999 if the obstruction has not cleared.
Electric shocks – this could quite often be linked with putting up faulty fairy lights. Separate the casualty from the faulty appliance (either switching the mains off or removing the plug). If you’re unable to do this, protect yourself by standing on a telephone directory, wooden box or rubber mat. Using something wooden push the electrical source away from the casualty or vice versa.
Should the casualty stop breathing, call 999 and be prepared to give chest compressions and rescue breaths until the ambulance arrives. If the casualty is still breathing, it may be necessary to treat them for shock.