Giving first aid helps save lives. However, people have been doing it wrong without knowing. From seeing others do it to reading in books and newspapers, people have developed certain skills in giving out first aid that are wrong.
Here are five times you have been doing a mistake in giving first aid;
Leaning back when nose bleeding
Most people lean backwards when nose bleeding. This is very wrong as it will make the blood to run back into your throat that might make you vomit blood. Nose bleeding could be an allergic reaction or just bad weather. Always lean forward and pinch the bridge of your nose as this will go away within minutes.
Putting ice on a burn
Most people treat burns with ice. Ice makes the burned area too cold than normal which might affect area more. If you have to use water, make sure its cool water and not icy cold. The aim of running water over a burnt area is to return temperatures to normal and not make them too cold.
Moving a seriously injured person
Most people get to scenes of accidents and they want to move seriously injured people to safe places. Usually, this is a mistake. Someone might have serious spinal cord fracture and when you move them you will make it worse and even paralyses them. Only move people who have not been seriously injured.
Spitting on a cut to clean it
Don’t ever spit on any cut place on your body thinking you're cleaning it. Saliva might contain harmful bacteria that might infect the cut area. Also, don’t wash wounds in unclean water as this might cause bacterial or parasitic infections. Always use clean tap water to wash wounds.
Put heat on a fracture
When you have a fracture, that body part will swell. Don’t apply heat at this point thinking you will be healing it. Heat increases blood flow which makes the swelling worse. On the contrary, apply cold water/ice at this place to the swelling cool down.