Send for a doctor immediately in all cases of serious accidents. While waiting keep the patient still, quiet and reassured. Remove the patient from any further source of danger- i.e. off the road or away from any moving   machinery.

In cases of bleeding, burns or cuts wash your hands before and after dressing.

Never attempt to give an unconscious patient anything to drink.

Bleeding

1.  Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean dressing but not if you  suspect pieces of glass in the wound. In such cases, apply pressure above and below the wound.

2.  Bandage the wound firmly, if bleeding continues, apply pad of cotton wool over the first bandage.

3.  If there is bleeding from a limb, raise the limb above the body.

4.  Do not give stimulants -- never alcohol.

Shock

1.  Always treat for shock. Keep the patient lying down and covered.

2.  Keep the patient quiet with a minimum of movement.

3.  Lower the head if pale. Raise the head if flushed.

4.  Loosen clothing at neck and waist.

5.  Sips of hot sweetened tea (not too hot) may be given if the patient is   conscious-- if you are sure there are no internal injuries or you are quite sure an anaesthesia will not be necessary.

Burns and Scalds

1.  Do not apply powder, grease, oil or ointments.

2.  Treat as for shock.

3.  Do not puncture blisters.

4.  Do not attempt to remove clothing unless it is petrol-soaked, in which case, cut the clothing carefully away around the affected area, being careful not to damage the burnt skin.

5.  If burning is severe cover the whole area with a clean, dry dressing (a laundered sheet can be used).

6.  Modern First Aid treatment of smaller burns is to, immerse in cold water as soon as possible.

7.  For unblistered burns or scalds, apply a thin paste of soda bicarbonate (baking soda) and water. Keep moist.

Fractures

1.  Treat as for shock.

2.  Keep injured limb supported and immobilised and in most comfortable  position until the doctor arrives. Do not move the patient unless absolutely  necessary .

3.  If the wound is present, cover with a clean dressing.

Wound, Cuts and Scratches

1.  Cleanse area around the wound with warm water and soap. Dry gently with a clean towel.

2.  A diluted solution of Savlon, Acetavlon or Dettol may be used to clean the wound.

3.  Apply a dry, clean dressing under cotton wool. Bandage or fix with the adhesive plaster.

Poisons

1.  If lips and mouth are stained give large drinks of water or milk. Do not make the patient sick.

2.  If lips and mouth are not stained make the patient vomit by giving a glass of water containing two tablespoons of common salt.

Hints

1.  When sending for the Doctor indicate what is the matter and give the correct address with instructions as to finding this.

2.  Small wounds need attention. This is important.

3.  Poisons and dangerous drugs must be kept in a locked cupboard and always out of reach of children.

4.  Do not attempt to remove foreign bodies from eyes, ears or nose but take the patient to a doctor or a hospital.

5.  Before touching a person who has been electrocuted, switch off the current. Do not  touch live wire without covering your hands with rubber.

6.  When necessary - in case of drowning, suffocation or electrocution  etc.-start artificial respiration at once. Do not stop until directed to do so, by the Doctor.

7.  Try to keep calm.

It is necessary to keep a stock of First Aid material in a convenient place in the house. It should contain cotton wool, bandages (assorted widths), gauze, adhesive plaster, antiseptic, scissors and soda bicarb (baking soda).

RESCUE BY BREATHING

Use rescue breathing for a person who has stopped breathing as the result of drowning, electric shock, smothering choking, smoke suffocation, overdose of drugs, carbon monoxide gas, other gas poisoning, head or chest injuries, heart attack or stroke. Immediately place the person on his back and begin rescue breathing through his nose. Your first blowing efforts will show if the air passages are blocked. If they are clear, you will be providing the urgently needed oxygen. If the throat is blocked, clear it quickly with your fingers. Slaps between the shoulder blades should dislodge any stubborn blockage. Remove false teeth.

Rescue breathing through the nose is less likely to force air into the stomach. If the nose is blocked then breathe through the mouth to keep the tongue out of the air passage and breathing may start unassisted right away. If not, however, commerce rescue breathing by first closing the person's mouth then, after taking a deep breath, open your mouth wide, seal your lips on the person's cheeks around the nose, without pinching the nostrils together, and blow until you see the chest rise.

Remove your mouth, part the person's lips and listen for breathing through the mouth and nose whilst taking another breath. Any sound of snoring or gurgling are signs of throat obstruction. Inflate the person's lungs again as soon as the person has breathed out. Make the first five or ten breaths deep and rapid- then continue with ten to fifteen breaths per minute. When the person starts trying to breathe naturally keep your breaths in time with these efforts.

If you are rescue breathing through the mouth, seal your lips around the person's opened mouth blocking the nostrils with your cheek or pinching them together with your fingers to prevent air leakage.

Infants and children

Keep the head tilted right back, seal your mouth around the child's mouth and nose and blow gently. Use only puffs from your cheeks for infants. Stop blowing as soon as the chest starts to rise. Repeat breaths at least twenty times a minute. Air blown into the stomach by too forceful rescue breathing will cause bulging between ribs and navel. Bulging can be cleared by gentle pressure just below the ribs.

Victims of drowning

Attempt rescue breathing as soon as you can reach the person's face. Always use mouth-to -nose in deep water. You can breath for the person while standing or kneeling in the water or while leaning from a boat or edge of a pool. Support the body by locking your arm under that of the victim. Most water from a nearly drowned person comes from the stomach, but water in the stomach is of secondary concern -- air in the lungs is vital.

On shore, if possible, keep the person's chest higher than both stomach and head by turning the body towards one side. With your first breaths water may spurt from the mouth and nose. If so, pull the shoulder further around (to raise the chest) and support with your knee. Turn the head so that water can drain from the mouth. Clear the mouth and throat and resume breathing after returning the head to the original position. Start at once -- don't waste time -- seconds count.