5 First Aid Tips for Students
My daughters are busy looking at which university they would like to go to. This has started me thinking about my own University days. Whilst I was at University we experienced the sudden death of one of our students, Lenny. This has started me thinking about what I want my daughters to know before they go and part of this is to be clear on their first aid – so here are my 5 first aid tips for students.
#1 – Know CPR
I will offer first aid sessions for free or on a not for profit basis as do others so enrol them on a course. Perhaps you’d like to join them too? I also have certificated first aid courses, the details of which are here. If nothing else have a go with the Lifesaver app which shows how to do CPR and use an Automated Defibrillator. Lenny’s flatmates attempted CPR but sadly he died but there are stories of students being saved or saving others and with defibrillators being more widely available initial survival rates have been reported at 40%.
#2 – Recovery position
Students spend a lot of time ‘socialising’. So for those occasions when someone is at risk of vomiting and is not fully conscious make sure they know how to put someone in the recovery position. Again there is an example on the Lifesaver app.
#3 – Head Injuries
As a nurse in minor injuries I’ve treated lots of head injuries. It’s important to remember though that any loss of consciousness or any vomiting after a head injury then they must be seen by a nurse or doctor. Depending on the severity of the injury this can be in their local Minor Injuries Unit, Walk-in centre or Emergency Department. Also wounds need to be closed within 12 hours, so don’t leave it until the next morning if there is a wound and make sure you clean it well – tap water will do.
#4 – Burns
Perhaps they’re the next Micheal Roux but even professionals can sometimes have accidents. So remember to cool burns for 10 minutes under running water and then cover as needed. This will reduce pain and blistering. Burns can easily get infected so watch for signs of infection – redness, heat, red lines travelling away from the burn up the arm and slow healing; any of these symptoms again have it checked.
#5 – Sprains and Strains
The general treatment for sprains is Rest, Ice and Elevation. Bandages need to go from toe to knee for an ankle injury and knuckles to elbow for a wrist injury, often they’re worn too short and this can affect the circulation. Unless they’re sure what they’re doing with a bandage I would suggest leaving them off. Instead rest for as much as possible for the first 24-48 hours and when resting elevate, if it’s their ankle above the level of their hip or if it’s a wrist injury above the level of their heart.
Use whichever common painkiller is preferred and as soon as possible begin to exercise. An easy way to do this is to write the alphabet in the air with their finger or toe. Apply Ice packs 10-15 minutes at a time, once in any hour for as many hours as they can manage in those first 24-48 hours.
Do you have some top first aid tips? Please share them if you do and please share this advice.
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