First aid

[3] Conflict first aid, focused on preservation and recovery of an individual's social or relationship well-being, is being piloted in Canada.

[5] Roman legions had the specific role of capsarii, who were responsible for first aid such as bandaging, and are the forerunners of the modern combat medic.

In 1767, a society for the preservation of life from accidents in water was started in Amsterdam, and in 1773, physician William Hawes began publicizing the power of artificial respiration as means of resuscitation of those who appeared drowned.

[10] In 1859, Swiss businessman Jean-Henri Dunant witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino, and his work led to the formation of the Red Cross, with a key stated aim of "aid to sick and wounded soldiers in the field".

[11] In 1870, Prussian military surgeon Friedrich von Esmarch introduced formalized first aid to the military, and first coined the term "erste hilfe" (translating to 'first aid'), including training for soldiers in the Franco-Prussian War on care for wounded comrades using pre-learnt bandaging and splinting skills, and making use of the Esmarch bandage which he designed.

Following this, in 1878, Shepherd and Colonel Francis Duncan took advantage of the newly charitable focus of St John,[4] and established the concept of teaching first aid skills to civilians.

First aid training began to spread through the British Empire through organisations such as St John, often starting, as in the UK, with high risk activities such as ports and railways.

[14] List of some situations that require specific first aid, and information about them (in alphabetical order): A bleeding or hemorrhage is the uncontrolled escape of blood from any vein or artery.

A first aid intervention would follow an order, which would try to attend in the best manner the main threats for the life and mobility of the victim.

There are some first aid protocols (such as ATLS, BATLS and SAFE-POINT) that define which are the priorities and the correct execution of the steps for saving human life.

[21][22] Its current mnemonic is CABD (an improvement in the sequence for most of the cases): These are the protocols that do not only deal with direct care to the victim but they also mention other complementary tasks (before and later).

The European method has a wider range than them, and their steps include tasks that are previous to the first aid techniques themselves.

The mnemonic AMEGA refers to: ATLS and BATLS protocolsThey are basically the common ABCDE and csABCDE protocol, but focusing in particular aspects.

And the BATLS (Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support) version[18] is an improvement for the British Army that added the concept of 'catastrophic bleeding'.

It comes from Red Cross[25] and, as the European protocol, has a wider range than the common csABCDE (ABCDE) method.

It mentions the following steps: Another European protocol, which appeared in the field of construction of Czech Republic to react to any emergence .

Breathing can also be checked additionally, placing an ear on the mouth and, at the same time, watching the chest rising by the effect of the air.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the method of first aid for treating victims of cardiac arrest (complete stop of heartbeat).

Once the ABCs are secured, first aiders can begin additional treatments or examination, as required if they possess the proper training (such as measuring pupil dilation).

This includes the provision of both artificial respiration and chest compressions to someone who is not breathing and has no pulse, and the consideration of cervical spine injuries when ensuring an open airway.

Conscious people maintain their own airway automatically, but those who are unconscious (with a GCS of less than 8) may be unable to do so, as the part of the brain that manages spontaneous breathing may not be functioning.

It also avoids a common cause of death in unconscious patients, which is choking on regurgitated stomach contents.

Permanent brain damage sets in after five minutes of no oxygen delivery, so rapid action on the part of the rescuer is necessary.

For situations that are more severe, complex or dangerous, a first aider might need to do the best they can with the equipment they have, and wait for an ambulance to arrive at the scene.

The UK Health and Safety Executive stress that the contents of workplace first aid kits will vary according to the nature of the work activities.

[33] As an example of possible contents of a kit, British Standard BS 8599 First Aid Kits for the Workplace[34] lists the following items: Basic principles, such as knowing the use of adhesive bandage or applying direct pressure on a bleed, are often acquired passively through life experiences.

And, in many countries, calling emergency medical services allows listening basic first aid instructions over the phone while the ambulance is on the way.