Dear All,
The First Aid Team would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday!
Due to the holiday season there may be a decrease in replies within the First Aid Forum. Users may still post but please be aware that, if in doubt, it is always safest to seek medical help rather than waiting for a reply from a member of the First Aid Team.
It is also a good idea to make sure all your first aid kits are fully stocked for the holiday season, as store opening times may be limited and we would hate for someone to be stuck.
A basic first aid kit should include the following items;
*Sterile Non-stick (may be written as "non-adherant"/ "low-adherent") dressing
*Anti-bacterial cream
*ACE wrap/ Tubi-Grip
*Bandages
*Bandaids/ Plasters
*Medical tape
Steri-strips may also be beneficial
The First Aid Team would like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick guide to the most common first aid needs.
Additional first aid sources can be found on the
First Aid section of the main site except the articles on normal wound healing and wound closure which are posted in
this thread.
English/ Welsh users can also ring NHS Direct (0845 46 47) & Scottish users can ring NHS24 on 08454 24 2424 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 
08454 24 2424 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting. for confidential advice. The same now also goes for users from anywhere in Australia who can ring Healthcare Australia on 1800 022 222
Bleeding
You should apply firm pressure using a non-stick gauze, directly to the wound as soon as you can. Do not lift the gauze off until 10 minutes has passed. If the wound bleeds through it put another layer on top and continue to press down. If you don't have any dressings to do this with then use a clean non-bubbly towel/ old t-shirt though these are not appropriate for long term dressings (other temporary things you could use are sanitary towels/ similar or nappies) and should only be used until you can get the dressing(s) needed.
If after 10 minutes, the bleeding has not stopped (a small amount of spotting/ the wound refilling up to it's edges are ok) then you are unlikely to be able to treat the wound at home an so you should seek medical help immediately; don't drive there yourself to get this.
Dressing a wound
Before dressing or tending to ANY wound it is important that your hands are washed really well and then left to dry. This should be done with an antiseptic soap and warm water, rubbing the hands quit a bit and in different directions to try and ensure EVERY surface has been covered. You can also use an alcohol gel (though make sure ALL of this has dried into your skin thoughly before tending to the wounds) which is better done after washing your hands. You can alternatively (or preferably alongside washing your hands), put on a pair or vinyl/ latex gloves when dealing with your wounds. These are VERY important steps in reducing the risk of infection.
To dress a wound, you should apply a layer of antibacterial cream to a non-stick dressing. Place this over the wound and use a bandage such as tubi grip (these should not be worn at night)/ACE wrap to hold it all in place. Change the dressing regularly applying more cream each time. Often holding a dressing in place with medical tape is better than a bandage and buying Adhesive Dressings can also make it much easier.
If you don't have any dressings to hand use see if you've got the items to hand that are listed previously in the bleeding section though these are only very short term and we'd recommend putting a thick layer of antiseptic cream on the inside of them. As a short term measure, you can also apply clingfilm around burns if you have nothing else. This is easier if it is on a limb where you can wrap the clingfilm around the area several times though make sure it isn't too tight.
Infection
If you have any signs of an infection in a wound, then it is likely to need treatment from a medical professional. Antibiotics may need to be prescribed.
The common signs of an infection in a wound are as follows;
*Heat/ reddening around the wound
*Green discharge
*Smell
*Inflammation around the wound
*Some people may also show the symptoms of a cold and/or a fever.
NB: You must seek medical attention if you exhibit these.
Overdose
For more information please ring the following numbers.
NHS direct (England and Wales)- 0845 46 47
NHS 24 (Scotland)-08454 242424
Healthdirect Australia- 1800 022 222
USA Poison control - 1-800-222-1222 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-222-1222 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting
(NB; many other countries (excluding the UK) also have their own poison control accessible to the public)
Other Countries Poison Control Numbers can be found
hereor
Emergency ambulance
Australia................000 Canada................911
Denmark.................112 Finland................112
France...............15/112 Germany..............112
Hong Kong..............999 Ireland..........999/ 112
Israel.....................101 Italy.....................118
New Zeland.............111 Philippines............166
Singapore................995 Switzerland...144 /112
United Kingdom.......999 United States.........911
Across Europe 112 can be used to phone for the emergency services and is the best number to ring in the UK if using a mobile. Aswell as in Europe, 112 can also be used in South Africa (only by a mobile), Canada, USA and Australia amongst other countries so if you're abroad and don't know the number that may be a good on to try. Using this number is beneficial as they can track your mobiles location with this which is good if you need to put the phone down or aren't sure where you are.