A paramedic has revealed three things everyone in an emergency situation should know that could help save a life.
Post to TikTokthe 999 employee led by @para_by_the_coast shared some important first aid tips that can make a vital difference.
Read on for her top three first aid tips, along with advice from the NHS on each tip on what to do in the tips below.
On TikTok, a woman led by @para_by_the_coast posts some important aspects of first aid that can make a vital difference
How to stop severe bleeding
Starting with how to stop a severe bleed, the paramedic says: 'Severe bleed can kill someone within minutes, so it's crucial that someone can act quickly before emergency services arrive.'
The NHS advice says that if someone is bleeding heavily, the main aim is to prevent further blood loss and minimize the effects of shock.
You should call 999 and ask for an ambulance as soon as possible.
The NHS adds that if you have disposable gloves you should use them to reduce the risk of transmitting infection.
Check that there is nothing in the wound. If this is the case, be careful not to press on the object.
Instead, press firmly on both sides of the object and build padding around it before applying the bandage, to avoid putting pressure on the object itself.
Do not try to remove it as this may slow the bleeding.
If nothing is embedded, apply and maintain pressure on the wound with your gloved hand, using a clean bandage or bandage if possible, and continue to apply pressure until the bleeding stops.
Use a clean bandage or other clean, soft material to firmly bandage the wound.
If bleeding from the compress continues, apply pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops, then apply another compress over the top and bandage it in place.
NHS The advice is that you should not remove the original bandage or bandage, but should continue to check whether the bleeding has stopped.
How to help someone who is choking
The paramedic warned that 'choking is one of the leading causes of death in children in Britain' and said that 'quick responses and proper first aid training can literally be the difference between life and death'.
The NHS has different advice on what to do if someone is choking, depending on the severity of the situation.
If someone is experiencing mild choking symptoms, encourage them to continue coughing to clear the blockage, or ask them to spit out the object if it is in their mouth.
Also make sure you don't put your fingers in your mouth to help them, as they could accidentally bite you.
However, if someone is severely choking, meaning he or she cannot talk, cry, cough, or breathe, you should administer back blows or abdominal thrusts.
To slap a choking adult in the back, stand behind him and slightly to the side, supporting the chest with one hand.
Lean them forward so that the object blocking their airway comes out of their mouth, instead of moving further down.
Then give up to five hard blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. The heel is located between the palm of your hand and your wrist.
If the blockage has not cleared, give up to five abdominal thrusts.
These can be performed by standing behind the person who is choking, putting your arms around their waist and bending forward.
When they are bent forward, clench one fist and place it just above their navel, while placing the other hand on your fist and pulling sharply inward and upward.
If the person's airway is still blocked after trying back blows and abdominal thrusts, seek immediate help by calling 999 and reporting that the person is choking.
How to perform CPR
Keep your arms straight and use the heel of your hand to press down firmly between the breastbone (about 2 to 2 inches) and release. Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – about two per second
“Efficient CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) will make someone four times more likely to survive cardiac arrest,” the paramedic advised in her video.
CPR – medically known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation – should be performed when a person is unconscious and not breathing, or not breathing properly, even if their heart is still beating.
This is called respiratory arrest and will quickly become cardiac arrest without CPR.
If a person is unconscious but breathing normally, he or she should be placed in the recovery position.
A full guide on how to perform NHS CPR can be found below:
Step 1
If an adult appears unconscious, gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly if they are okay.
Step 2
If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally, ask someone to call 999 and ask someone to find a public defibrillator (PAD).
Call 999 yourself if no one is around. Call handlers will provide instructions on how to perform CPR.
Step 3
Start with chest compressions.
Kneel next to the victim and place the heel of one hand on the center of his chest. Place the other hand on top of the first and interlace your fingers.
Keep your arms straight and use the heel of your hand to press down firmly between the breastbone (about 2 to 2 inches) and release.
Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – about two per second.
Songs like Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor and Wannabe by the Spice Girls all have 100 to 120 beats per minute, so doctors recommend thinking of these songs while performing CPR.
Step 4
Continue chest compressions until 999 teams arrive on scene and take over, or the person regains consciousness – by coughing, opening their eyes, speaking normally or breathing.
If someone is around, this can be done taking turns.
Step 5
If a defibrillator is found, turn it on and follow the instructions.
The machine detects whether a shock is required. Some gadgets will deliver a shock without any warning, while others will advise whether a shock needs to be administered to deliver the shock.