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First aid at your fingertips

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Master these first aid fixes.

We may not want to think about it, but injuries and accidents can happen. Knowing the basics of first aid can help you save a life. Here are the top three first aid techniques you need to know. 

CPR 
You absolutely should know the CPR basics in case someone's drowning or choking.

How it’s done: 

  • Place the person flat on his back. 
  • Tilt his head slightly to lift his chin and open the airway. 
  • Place the heel of your one hand on the centre of his chest and your other hand on top, interlocking your fingers. 
  • Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands. 
  • Use your body weight to press down on his chest by five to six centimetres at a steady rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. 
  • After every 30 compressions, give him rescue breaths: tilt his head back and gently lift his chin. Pinch his nose, seal your mouth over his, and blow firmly. Check that the chest rises. Do this twice. Then, continue with the compressions.  
  • Repeat these steps until the person starts breathing or help arrives.

The Heimlich manoeuvre
Choking can easily happen if you bite off more than you can chew.   

How it’s done:

  • Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around his waist. 
  • Clench your fist and place it just above the navel, thumb side in. 
  • Grasp your fist with the other hand and press it into the stomach with a hard, upward thrust. 
  • Repeat until the object pops out of the person’s mouth. 

The recovery position
Help someone by getting familiar with the recovery position.  

How it’s done:

  • Kneel on the floor to one side of the person. 
  • Place him on his back.
  • Place the arm nearest to you at a right angle to his body, elbow bent and palm facing upwards.
  • Place the other arm across the chest so that the back of the first hand is against the cheek. 
  • Bend the knee furthest away from you into a right angle. Pull it up until his foot is flat on the floor.
  • Then, gently roll him onto his side by pulling on the bent knee. 
  • The top arm should be supporting the head and the bent leg should be resting on the floor to prevent rolling. 
  • Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Check that nothing is blocking the airway. 
  • Stay with the person until he recovers and help arrives. 

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