Want to learn first aid basics? Accidents happen all the time, and like the saying goes, “Better safe than sorry.” Know what to do for basic emergencies in case you or a loved one encounter an accident or health hazard.
A Homesteader’s Guide to First Aid and CPR
Being a homesteader means being self-sufficient. This doesn’t only apply to everyday tasks but applies to every aspect of your life. In my opinion, everyone should know a thing or two about first aid. You’ll never know when an accident will hit you or a family member so it’s always good to know what to do in case of an emergency. This list will give you an idea of how to treat or aid basic everyday emergencies you may encounter.
1. Keep a first aid kit handy.
Knowing what to do is one thing but having the basic supplies is another. You don’t have to have everything, just the basic supplies should do the trick. If you’d like to build your own complete first aid kit, get the complete check list here.
2. DRSABCD Action Plan
Know the basic action plan for any emergency situation. Assess the danger first, respond and always ask for help. Remember that knowing first aid doesn’t make you a health care professional. For severe cases, getting the patient to a hospital is always important. Check the action plan here.
3. Choking
Find out what the signs of choking are. If the person can’t talk, breathe, cough or is turning blue or dusky, something is not right. Get the steps on what to do here.
4. Poisoning
Don’t try to make the person sick if they induced something poisonous. The best thing you can do it stay calm, try to determine what and how much they took in and call poison control. Check it out here.
Keep some activated charcoal on hand for emergencies such as this. It helps absorb toxins.
5. Burns
Hopefully you’ll only encounter minor burns but if someone or you caught fire, don’t forget the basic “STOP, DROP and ROLL”. Get all the first aid steps here.
6. Bleeding Wounds
Cuts and wounds are normal but for deep cuts where bleeding won’t stop I recommend applying pressure to it until help arrives. Keep it elevated above heart level. Get more information here.
7. Sprains and Strains
Do you know what RICE is? It’s the basic first aid for sprains and strains until a trained professional arrives or when you get the patient to the hospital. Remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate.
8. Broken Bone
Depending on how the bone was broken, there are different methods of how to administer first aid. But regardless of the method, always call for emergency. Check the first aid steps here.
9. Heat Stroke
With global warming, heat has become almost unbearable nowadays even leading to multiple casualties in different countries. Know the first aid treatment for it here.
10. Snake Bite
Snakes are sneaky little critters. Whether you’re on a hike in the wilderness or have an unexpected encounter, know the basic first aid treatment. Get everything here.
11. Bug Bites and Stings
Anyone who has spent time outdoors would know how common insect bites are. But when it’s not just mosquito bites, better be equipped with the basic first aid treatment. Check it out here.
12. Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are just minor injuries but some people tend to freak out in the sight of blood. Know exactly what to do in this situation. Get everything you need to know here.
13. CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
There are many emergency cases when CPR may be necessary, just take choking for instance. Knowing the basics will not make you a pro but having an idea of what to do can still help. You can watch this video tutorial to get the basic idea.
Even if you know everything about first aid, it’s still best to avoid these kinds of situations when you can. Prevention is always better than cure. But in case you do get into an emergency situation, regardless of what you’ve learned it will not matter if you panic. Always stay calm and have a level head.
What do you think of these basic first aid tips? Let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are on these first aid basics. I hope you learned something from these tutorials and put it into action whenever you need to. I’d love to hear any experience you may have had in an emergency and what you did. Write about it in the comments section below!
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