First Aid Tips – Steps Towards Handling Minor Cuts or Burns

First Aid Tips

First aid is a very important part of being able to help someone who is suffering from a cut or a burn. When you do your part to get certified, you’re able to make everyone around you feel safer. Whether you’re at work, school, or with the kids at their sporting events, you never know when your basic medical skills could come in handy. 

There are also some more common injuries you may have to tend to, such as burns and cuts. Knowing how to properly deal with these types of injuries can be very helpful. We’re going to give you a few tips on these types of injuries and how to treat them, but keep in mind that getting certified is the best way to learn exactly what to do in these situations. 

First Aid – Treating a Cut 

Getting a cut is a very common injury, but it should not be taken lightly. It’s the most common injury that happens in restaurants, and it’s good to know the proper way to treat a cut. Doing so wrongly could end up with an infection or worse. 

1. Wash Hands and Put of PPE

The number one thing to do with any open wound is to avoid infection so be sure to wash your hands and put on medical gloves. This will ensure you don’t pass along any germs or anything to the person you’re treating. 

2. Stop the Wound From Bleeding

The next first aid step would be to stop the bleeding.  Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound.  The pressure you provide will help the blood clot and stop the bleeding. 

3. Call 911

If the bleeding is life-threatening or is difficult to stop or control, call 911 immediately. 

4. Apply Dressing and Bandage

While maintaining direct pressure, apply a dressing and bandage it in place. 

5. Apply Tourniquet

If direct pressure does not control the bleeding, consider using a tourniquet. 

First Aid – Treating a Burn 

Treating a burn is also another common occurrence for many people. Whether it’s from a campfire or from a boiling pot of water on the stove, first aid attention is always beneficial. Here’s a few tips on how you can begin to treat a burn. 

1. Cool the burn

Firstly, you’ll want to cool the burn under cool running water, or with a cool (not freezing) compress, for at least 10 minutes.  Cooling the burn will reduce pain, swelling and the risk of scarring.  The faster and longer a burn is cooled, the less the impact of the injury. 

2. Cover 

If the burn requires further medical care, cover the burn loosely with a dry, sterile dressing.  This helps prevent infection by keeping the area clean.  It’s an ideal covering because it doesn’t stick to the burn and reduces pain by keeping air from the skin’s surface. 

3. Call 911 

If necessary, call 911 or get someone else to do it.  Always call 911 if the burn makes it difficult to breathe, was caused by chemicals, an explosion, or electricity, is full-thickness (blacked/charred skin) or involves a large amount of blistered or broken skin, or covers the face, neck, hands, feet, or a large surface area. 

Ensure You Take Your First Aid Course

These simple tips are just basic guidance. It is best to sign up for a first aid course where you can learn more in-depth procedures of what to do and what not to do in the case of a burn, cut, and many other categories of injuries. Primary Care First Aid can help get you certified by experienced and enjoyable instructors.