festive first aid

Festive First Aid

5 top tips for the

festive season

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5 First aid tips for the festive season


Qualified Education

Festive First Aid 5 top tips for the festive season

Picture the scene: Grandma and Grandad are dancing to Christmas hits, wrapping paper is

scattered across the floor and mum sweating in the kitchen as the oven blazes. The path

outside the door is sheet ice and the cat is knocking baubles off the tree. Sound familiar?

However you choose to celebrate this holiday season, a few first aid tips could come in

handy to avoid any Christmas catastrophes.

We hope you enjoy this light-hearted look at some avoidable festive misfortunes.

Happy Holidays From The Team at Qualified Education Ltd

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On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

…a trip to A & E

The situation: It’s early in the morning and Asha, who lives next door, has popped over to give the children their Christmas presents.

As you open the door Asha, still in her onesie, slips on the top step and falls backwards.

What has happened? Asha has fallen and landed on her ankle which has twisted. She is in a lot of pain. After looking carefully at

Asha’s ankle, you can see there is a lot of swelling. You suspect she has fractured it.

What should you do?

1. Help the person to support the injured area in the position they find the most comfortable. They need to support both above

and below the injury.

2. Find padding, such as towels or cushions, and place around the area to further support in a comfortable position. As Asha is

outside in her onesie, you should also get some blankets to keep her warm.

3. Phone 999/112 for an ambulance. Support the person and make sure they are comfortable until help arrives. You should not

move the person unnecessarily or if it causes further pain.

The result: Asha is back home for lunch after having an x-ray. The good news is there is no fracture, Asha just has a severe sprain.

Auntie Carly helps Asha ‘RICE’ her injury as suggested by the doctor.

REST the injury

ICE – apply an ice pack or cold compress

COMPRESS – firmly bandage the injured areas to reduce the swelling

ELEVATE the injured part to help reduce swelling

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On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

…two flaming eyebrows

The situation: Mum has made a giant Christmas pudding and doused it in alcohol (in between taking some swigs for herself). The

lights are dimmed as mum strikes a match and sets the pudding, along with her eyebrows, on fire.

What has happened? Mum has superficial dry burns to her face caused by the flames from the pudding.

What should you do?

1. Cool the burns down by putting them under cold running water for AT LEAST 10 minutes. Mum could stick her head under the

tap.

2. Remove any jewellery before tissues begin to swell. Mum doesn’t wear her eyebrow ring anymore so she’ll be alright but, if

the burn was to her hands, it’s especially important to remove rings.

3. Protect the area from infection by covering with cling film or a non-fluffy sterile dressing. In this case, be extra careful when

putting cling film around someone’s face – make sure it is nowhere near her mouth and you haven’t obstructed the airways.

4. As the burns are to Mum’ face, even though they are minor, she should be taken to hospital.

The result: Mum never needs to pluck her eyebrows again.

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On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

…three nosebleeds

The situation: Grandma has had too much sherry and is dancing enthusiastically to Slade. Grandad and Great Uncle Peter decide

to join in and before you can say “It’s Chrrrrrriiiissssstmaaaas!” they have all bumped heads.

What has happened? Nosebleeds a plenty!

What should you do?

1. Ask the person (or persons in this case- let’s just stick to one for now!) to sit down and tilt their head forwards.

2. Encourage them to breathe through their mouth and pinch, or ask them to pinch, the soft part of their nose for up to ten

minutes. Advise them to try not to sniff, swallow, spit or cough as this may dislodge any clots that have formed. Use a tissue or

cloth to clean up any dribble.

3. After ten minutes, ask the person to stop pinching their nose to see if the bleeding has stopped. If it has stopped, advise the

person to rest and not to blow their nose.

4. If the bleeding has not stopped, repeat the nose pinching for a further 10 minutes. If the nosebleed continues for more than

30 minutes take the person to hospital.

The result: Grandma, Grandad and Great Uncle Peter sit quietly for the rest of the day pretending the embarrassing incident didn’t

happen.

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On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

…four broken baubles

The situation: The cat has climbed up the tree, knocked it over and several baubles have smashed on the floor. Joshua, whilst

wearing his new ill-fitting Power Rangers costume, has trodden on one of the broken baubles.

What has happened? Joshua has cut the side of his foot and it is bleeding. You have checked and there are no pieces of bauble

stuck in his foot.

What should you do?

You need to reduce the blood loss, make sure the wound doesn’t get infected and prevent the person going into shock.

1. If the wound looks dirty, rinse it under running water or use an alcohol-free wipe.

2. Cover the wound with a non-fluffy sterile dressing and place pressure on the wound to try and stop bleeding.

3. Elevate the wound above the person’s head to help reduce blood loss. In this case, you could put his foot on the sofa or your

lap while he sits on the floor. This is also a good position to prevent the person going into shock.

4. If the bleeding continues, place another dressing over the top of the first one and monitor the person for shock. If the

bleeding continues for a prolonged period or the person goes into shock, dial 999/112

The result: Joshua is back up playing Power Rangers within a few minutes and has forgotten anything happened. The cat is put

outside for the rest of the day - no turkey for you Tiddles!

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On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

…FIVE BACK BLOWS!

The situation: Auntie Margret is scoffing peanuts faster than an elephant. Before you can say “Slow down or you’ll choke”, her eyes

have widened and she is clutching his throat.

What has happened? Food and other objects can become partially or fully stuck in the throat and cause choking. Auntie Margret

has got a peanut stuck and cannot speak.

What should you do?

1. Ask the person if they are choking. Try and encourage the person to cough to remove the blockage. If the person cannot

speak, cough or breathe then the blockage needs clearing before they lose consciousness.

2. Bend the person forward and give up to 5 sharp back blows. Back blows should be given with the heel of your hand in

between their shoulder blades, Check the person’s mouth by looking inside.

3. If the obstruction hasn’t cleared, put both of your arms around the person and give up to 5 abdominal thrusts – put one fist

between the bellybutton and the bottom of the breast bone. The other fist should be placed on top of the first fist. Pull sharply

inwards and upwards. Check the person’s mouth to see if you can see the obstruction.

4. Repeat 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts up to three times. If the obstruction has not been removed call 999/112 for the

emergency services. Continue to help the person using the back blows and abdominal thrusts until the ambulance arrives,

the obstruction is cleared or the person loses consciousness.

The result: After 5 back blows the peanut is dislodged and Auntie Margret sits quietly with a glass of water. The peanuts are sneakily

removed from the table next to Auntie Margret to avoid a further incident.

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