Jss 2 Lesson note
Week 1
WHAT IS FIRST AID?
Definition: First aid is defined as the simple and first medical treatment administered (given) to a sick or injured
person before being taken to a doctor or hospital. In the cause of using a piece of equipment or tool in a technology
workshop, accidents or injuries may occur. And this means there is every need to learn how to give or administer
first aid and also know how first aid materials are applied.
FIRST AID MATERIALS
First aid materials kept in a box are called FIRST AID BOX. The first aid box must contain the
following first aid materials:
1. COTTON WOOL: It is used as an absorbent material or as a pad for padding wounds. It is also used to apply
spirit or iodine to the wound.
2. SCISSORS OR RAZOR BLADE: This is used for cutting plasters or bandages. And it must be blunt ended
(lack a sharp end) to avoid injury.
3. BANDAGES & PLASTER: These are used to protect wounds and injuries from dirt and dusts, restrict the
movement of some part of the body (especially the joints) and as well as to reduce swelling.
4. IODINE, METHYLATED SPIRITS AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDES: These are used for cleaning and
disinfection of wounds on the flesh. They are sometimes known as disinfectants.
5. TONG: It is used for holding cotton wool when administering treatment to a wound.
6. DRUGS: These are medicines or substances taken into the body system to help eradicate sickness or injuries.
The basic drugs in a first aid box are mostly paracetamol, Panadol and some antibiotics, which helps to reduce
pains (like body pains, menstrual pains, etc), headaches and fever.
7. DISPOSABLE HAND GLOVE: This is worn to prevent skin contamination or infection to the person dressing
the wound.
8. SAFETY PINS: These are pins used for securing the bandage used to protect the wound after first aid had being
administered.
9. SOAP: This is used for washing of hands after first aid has being given by a person. The most common soap
used are antiseptic soaps like Tetmosol and Dettol.
10. RECORD BOOK AND PEN: With this, the name, sex, age, class of the student, the nature of
injury and the type of treatment given can be recorded.
Note:
A person who will apply first aid treatment for an injured patient must first have some basic characteristics:
1. The person must be neat and clean
2. The person must be well taught about injuries and how to use the first aid materials
3. The person must learn how to exercise patience
4. The person must be health conscious
APPLICATION OF SIMPLE FIRST AID
1. Cuts on the flesh – Cuts can be treated by pressing the affected part to stop the bleeding. You can as well apply
some disinfectant like Dettol on a cotton wool to clean the affected part. Plaster can then be used and bandage is
necessary, to cover the part of the flesh. This should be done before taking such injured person to the hospital, it
the cut is a major cut.
2. Burns on the flesh by fire or chemical – As for burns caused by fire, you can apply cold water with a pad to
soothe the pain before taking the person to the hospital. If caused by chemical, then check what type of chemical it
is. If it is an acid, flush the burn with sodium hydrogen carbonate to neutralize the action of the acid on the affected
part. If it is an alkali; use lemon juice and then open all affected part to the air and dry carefully with clean dry
dressing.
3. Snake bite or scorpion sting – Tie a cloth or rope around leg at the top of the snake bite or scorpion sting and
use a razor blade to open the part of the flesh where the bit happened so as to allow the poison fluid flow out. And
then take the person and the snake to the hospital, peradventure you were able to kill the snake.
4. Electric shock – If this occur, the patient should be given an artificial respiration or mouth to mouth
resuscitation (revive from unconsciousness) by taking a deep breath. Pinch the patient nostril together with your
fingers, seal your lip round his mouth and blow air into his lungs until the chest rises. You then remove your mouth
and watch the chest fall. Continue with this process until natural breath is restored.
THE ABC OF FIRST AID
A – Airway (Check if the patient has no obstruction in his trachea or windpipe)
B – Breathing (Check if the patient is still breathing)
C – Circulation (Check if the patient still have pulse)
