Common Myths About First Aid
There are several myths about treating first aid emergencies which can lead to serious mistakes. You need to be aware of them so you can avoid potentially dangerous situations; don't make things worse.
In case of emergency, your responses should be based on established first aid practices and facts; do not resort to brand-new, untested techniques. Handling an emergency should help in assisting a situation; not aggravating the problem. It is important to be aware of proper first aid response to help you avoid confusion brought on from listening to others on the scene with inadequate knowledge.
Here are common myths that you should be aware of:
1 Burns from boiling water: The myth is that for water burns or any burn from flames or stove tops, that one would should apply butter or ice. This is a myth that does more damage than good. All you need to do is gently rinse with cool water and apply a medically recommended antibiotic ointment.
2 In case of seizures: You should hold the person still and force an object between the teeth so as to avoid the tongue being bitten. This is a myth. In case of seizures, the only thing to be done is call emergency services if the seizures do not stop in five minutes. And be sure to make sure the person is lying securely on their side.
3 Ankle sprains: Apply heat or hot fomentation to help assuage the injury. While you might not want medical attention, you need to certainly know what to apply. You should put ice packs on sprain injuries and not heat as that would increase the swelling and slow the healing.
4 Snake bites: The myth is that you immediately wrap a tourniquet and suck the poison out of the wound after you have cut up the wound with a pocket knife. This is just a myth, of course. The only thing to do is immediately wrap the wound with a clean handkerchief and rush to the emergency room. Never cut the wound as tendons or nerves may get ripped.
5 Sudden nose bleeding: Tip your head way back and prevent the blood from running out. Myth! Nose bleeds might not always be emergency room situations, Often, you can handle it by allowing the person to lean forward and pinch the nose just near the bone. Only if the bleeding continues beyond five minutes should you consider further medical attention.
6 Kids eating entire bottle of vitamins: The myth is that you have to induce forced vomiting. You should actually go straight to the emergency room and seek medical attention. Children have been known to die from iron and vitamin overdose. You have to furnish complete information about the substances eaten and let the specialists do their job. Never induce vomiting on your own.
7 Choking at the dinner table: The myth is that you resort to under-diaphragm abdominal thrusts or what is known as the Heimlich maneuver. Actually, you need to respond on the basis of the victim's situation; whether the person is able to make a sound, talk or is coughing. If they can only nod and are turning blue, then it's serious and you need to get to the hospital.
8 Children's sudden extreme high fever: The myth is that you rub alcohol and wrap the child in a warm blanket. Or worse, put them in a tub of cold water. Both of these are a big mistake. Sudden high fevers are dangerous and you should apply cool compresses on the forehead as well as give children's Tylenol to break the fever. If the high fever persists, you should seek medical attention.
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