Basic 8 · Career Technology · First Aid
Basic First Aid Skills
In this topic you will explain the meaning and aims of first aid, identify the contents of a first aid box, and demonstrate basic first aid for common injuries and emergencies to yourself and others.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain the meaning, aims and principles of first aid
- Identify the contents of a first aid box and their uses
- Demonstrate first aid for cuts, burns, nosebleeds, sprains, fainting and choking
What you already know
- Workshop accidents and safety (Basic 7)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Health And Safety
- Sub-strand
- First Aid
- Indicator
- B8.1.2.1.1 – Demonstrate basic skills in applying First Aid to self and others
Introduction
Accidents can happen anywhere: in the kitchen, on the football field or on the way to school. The help given in the first few minutes can save a life or prevent an injury from getting worse.
1. Meaning of First Aid
First aid: The immediate help given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional medical help arrives.
2. Aims of First Aid
- Preserve life.
- Prevent the condition from getting worse.
- Promote recovery.
- Relieve pain and comfort the casualty.
3. Principles of First Aid
A first aider should stay calm and act quickly but carefully. First, check that the area is safe for you and the casualty, for example by switching off electricity or moving away from traffic. Then check the casualty's response, breathing and bleeding. Call for help or send someone to call an ambulance on the national emergency number 112. Give the right first aid, comfort the person and stay with them until help arrives. Always wear gloves when dealing with blood to protect yourself.
4. Contents of a First Aid Box
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| disposable gloves | protect the first aider from infection |
| sterile gauze and cotton wool | clean and cover wounds |
| adhesive plasters | cover small cuts |
| bandages (roller and triangular) | hold dressings, support injured limbs, make slings |
| antiseptic solution or wipes | clean wounds |
| scissors and tweezers | cut bandages, remove splinters |
| adhesive tape | secure dressings |
| clean water or saline | rinse wounds and eyes |
| first aid manual | guide on procedures |
5. Recording and Reporting
After giving first aid, report the incident to a teacher or adult and record it in the accident book: the date, time, place, what happened, the injury and the first aid given. This helps prevent similar accidents and provides information for medical staff.
6. Learning First Aid Properly
Reading about first aid is a good start, but real skill comes from training and practice. Organisations such as the Ghana Red Cross Society and the National Ambulance Service run first aid courses. Schools can form first aid clubs where trained learners help during sports days and other events. Practising regularly keeps the skills fresh, so that you can act quickly and correctly in a real emergency.
New words
- first aid
- Immediate help before professional treatment.
- casualty
- An injured or ill person.
- sterile
- Free from germs.
- triangular bandage
- A bandage used for slings and support.
Summary
- First aid is immediate help that preserves life, prevents worsening, promotes recovery and relieves pain.
- Stay calm, make the area safe, check the casualty, call for help (112) and give appropriate care.
- A first aid box contains gloves, gauze, plasters, bandages, antiseptic, scissors and tweezers.
Class activity: First Aid Box Inspection
- Open the school first aid box and identify each item.
- State the use of each item.
- List any missing items to report to the teacher.
You need: First-aid box, Sterile gauze, Triangular bandage
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. An injured or ill person is called a…
- A. casualty
- B. patient only
- C. first aider
- D. doctor
Show answer
Answer: casualtyFirst aid term.2. Ghana's national emergency number is…
- A. 112
- B. 911
- C. 999
- D. 192 only
Show answer
Answer: 112Emergency line.3. A first aider should wear gloves when dealing with blood.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueProtection.4. Free from germs is described as ______.
Show answer
Answer: sterileClean.5. State the four aims of first aid.
Show answer
Answer: Preserve life, prevent worsening, promote recovery, relieve pain.All four.6. Why must a first aider check that the area is safe first?
Show answer
Answer: To avoid becoming a second casualty, for example from electricity or traffic.Safety first.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Health And Safety
- Sub-strand
- First Aid
- Indicator
- B8.1.2.1.1 – Demonstrate basic skills in applying First Aid to self and others
Introduction
Most injuries at home and school are minor and can be treated by a trained learner. Knowing what to do builds confidence and keeps others safe.
1. First Aid Procedures
| Condition | First aid |
|---|---|
| small cuts and grazes | wear gloves, wash with clean water, apply antiseptic, cover with a plaster |
| severe bleeding | press firmly on the wound with a clean pad, raise the injured part, call for help |
| minor burns and scalds | cool under running water for at least 10 minutes, cover loosely with clean film or cloth; do not apply oil, toothpaste or ice |
| nosebleed | sit the person leaning forward, pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes, breathe through the mouth |
| sprain | rest, ice (wrapped in cloth), compression bandage, elevation (RICE) |
| fainting | lay the person down, raise the legs, loosen tight clothing, give fresh air |
| insect sting | remove the sting by scraping, wash, apply a cold compress |
| something in the eye | rinse gently with clean water; do not rub |
2. Choking
If a person is choking but can cough, encourage them to keep coughing. If they cannot cough, speak or breathe, give up to five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of the hand. If this does not work, give up to five abdominal thrusts: stand behind the person, place a fist just above the navel and pull sharply inward and upward. Repeat and call for help immediately.
3. The Recovery Position
If a person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position: on their side, with the top leg bent forward and the head tilted back slightly so the airway stays open and vomit can drain out. Stay with them and monitor their breathing until help arrives.
4. What Not to Do
Do not move a casualty with a suspected neck or back injury unless they are in danger. Do not give food or drink to an unconscious person. Do not use traditional remedies such as applying palm oil on burns. Do not try procedures you are not trained for; instead, call for help.
Safety: Always protect yourself first, wear gloves, and get adult or medical help for serious injuries.
New words
- RICE
- Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation for sprains.
- recovery position
- A safe position for an unconscious person who is breathing.
- abdominal thrust
- A firm upward push below the ribs to clear a choking person's airway.
- sprain
- An injury to a joint's ligaments.
Summary
- Clean and cover cuts, press on severe bleeding, and cool burns under running water.
- Use RICE for sprains, lean forward and pinch for nosebleeds, and back blows and abdominal thrusts for choking.
- Place unconscious breathing people in the recovery position and avoid harmful remedies.
Class activity: First Aid Practice
- Practise cleaning and covering a "cut" on a partner's arm using gloves and a plaster.
- Practise the steps for a nosebleed and a sprain.
- Practise placing a partner in the recovery position.
You need: First-aid box, Sterile gauze, Triangular bandage
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A minor burn should first be…
- A. cooled under running water
- B. covered with oil
- C. rubbed with toothpaste
- D. covered with ice directly
Show answer
Answer: cooled under running water10 minutes.2. For a nosebleed, the person should…
- A. lean forward and pinch the nose
- B. lean back
- C. lie flat
- D. blow the nose hard
Show answer
Answer: lean forward and pinch the noseCorrect method.3. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSprains.4. An injury to a joint's ligaments is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: sprainJoint injury.5. Describe first aid for a small cut.
Show answer
Answer: Wear gloves, wash with clean water, apply antiseptic and cover with a plaster.Steps.6. Why should an unconscious breathing person be placed in the recovery position?
Show answer
Answer: It keeps the airway open and lets vomit drain, preventing choking.Airway.
Homework
- Make a first aid poster for your home showing what to do for burns, cuts and nosebleeds.