the aims and objectives of first aid

You probably have witnessed a first aid exercise. Perhaps, you have taken part in a first aid exercise.

It might have involved victims of major accidents or small injuries. One could easily ask, ‘Why was the exercise necessary?’

What were theaims and objectives ofthefirst aid exercise? Or better still, what purpose did it serve on the victims?There must have been a reason for every decision and action that you undertook in that exercise.

First aid providers are guided by principles, aims, and objectives.

We’ll take a walk through some of the aims and objectives of first aid in a short while!

But first, you need to understand the actual meaning of first aid. It’s simply that immediate attention that’s given to a sick or injured person while waiting full medical care.

We couldn’t have put it any better!

Now that we know the meaning of first aid, let’s have a focus on the aims and objectives of the exercise.

First aid exercise in Preservation of life

Preservation of life is the most significant aspect of a first aid exercise. We need air to survive and to live. The circulation of air in the body helps in the preservation of life.

Providers of first aid look at the circulation of air in the body and clean any blocked airways. When the air way is blocked, brain damage occurs in about four minutes – dangerous isn’t it?

First aid exercise in Prevention of illness or injury from worsening

Illnesses and injuries can easily spread when prevention measures are not undertaken.

First aid helps in containing wounds and injuries sustained in the body and enables prevention of further illnesses resulting from the injuries or wounds.

First aid measures ensure that illnesses or injuries do not worsen. This is also a principle in the practice of medicine; the principle of beneficence.

First aid exercise in Promoting Recovery

For every wound or injury sustained in the body, there is a prescribed first aid exercise.Depending on the nature and the extent of the sustained injury or wound, first aid attempts to promote recovery.

Promotion of recovery includes attempts to dry up the wounds or avoiding its further spread. Also, in case of bleeding, it serves to stop the bleeding and the subsequent loss of blood that might result into loss of life.

<h2>First aid exercise in Relieving pain<h2>

Injuries and pains inflict pain on the victims. There are people who are scared by the sight of blood and would feel psychological pain for it.

Relieving pain is the aim of first aid.

First aid providers sometimes use aesthetics to reduce the pain in the body. Cleaning up of wound also reduces the pains in the wounds through the removal of dirt and other germs that might be in the wounds.

Protect the unconscious

Sometimes people become unconscious and attract first aid attention.

Unconsciousness involves the loss of ability to recognize people, events, or the immediate environment and the complete or partial failure to respond to either of the elements. When you faint, for instance, you are likely to be unconscious.

The aim of first aid is to protect the unconscious through the identification of any dangers within the surrounding, confirmation of the likeliness of any form of response, and assessment of the airway.

The breathing positions and free circulation of air are measures that must be undertaken to protect the unconscious.

First aid exercise in disinfecting wounds

Disinfection of wounds is also an objective of first aid. The infected wound might cause further spread of the wound in the body. Sometimes, the infections can be toxic.

First aid disinfects the wounds through cleaning, often using hot water and preventive medicine.

Prevent further infections

First aid prevents further infections in the body. Besides disinfection of wounds, it helps in the prevention of germs and other pathogens from entering the wounds.

First, the first aid providers clean the wounds using appropriate medicine. Also, they cover the wounds to prevent further entry of germs or other pathogens into the wounds. The use of a glove in the provision of first aid also prevents further infections.

Personal cleanliness also plays an integral role in the prevention of further infections.

First aid exercise in preventing excessive loss of blood

Excess loss of blood can lead to loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, an uncontrolled excessive loss might lead to the loss of life.

Where there is blood oozing out of the body, the first aid providers have a duty to ensure the oozing is stopped.

In severe cases, this is done through the use of tourniquets. In simple cases, first aid provides prevent excessive loss of blood through the use of a sterile bandage or a clean piece of cloth.

Maintain normal body temperature

The body works normally under normal temperature. When the temperatures are irregular or inconsistent, there is a likelihood of equal irregular or abnormal body functioning.

Hypothermia, for instance, is characterized by the loss of a drop of body temperatures below 95 Fahrenheit.   It can lead to confusion, memory loss, or slurred language.

The first aid objective is to regain and maintain the normal body temperatures. The steps could include warming the trunks of the person and covering the person with warm clothes.

Ensure an adequate supply of oxygen

Adequate oxygen helps a person to regain consciousness. A limited supply of oxygen cause intoxication and a subsequent death of a person.

Where a person has lost consciousness, the first aid providers act with speed to ensure the supply of oxygen is adequate.

The person can be put in an open and free place to get access to enough supply of oxygen. Sometimes, the person’s heavy clothes can be removed to create a cooling effect on the person.

Provide reassurance

First aid offers an assurance of life to the victims. It is an initial stage towards recovering from the injuries or wounds.

Everyone needs an assurance for the continuity of life and recovering from shock. Cleaning of wounds and stopping of excessive loss of blood, for instance, creates an assurance of recovering from the shock and continuing with life.

It limits the loss of hope and courage.

First aid gives the victims new hope, power, strength, energy, and confidence!