Thanks to my new (as in, the last six months) job, I am now a
certified CPR/First Aid instructor. Bacally, I took an 8 hour course
online, then another 6 hour course for my BLS CPR/First Aid
certification, then another 4 hour instructor course and then another 3
hours worth of instructor observation in order to facilitate a class
that may or may not save the life of your co-worker or someone you care
about, or even... a stranger.
Any way, after some
simple, count on my fingers, addition, that is about 21 hours of
CPR/First Aid- and, if you include my initial course in Heartsaver
CPR/First Aid and then the class I have taught, (another 3.5 hours) I'm
running about 29 hours of training in the last 4 months. All things
considered, I now possess some super skillzzzz. However, and I want to
completely emphasize that these methods are in no way, shape or form
approved by the American Heart Association, I really think I've improved
upon some basic, non-life threatening, 1st aid techniques.
Minors Burns (1st and 2nd degrees- not of Kevin Bacon)
While
pulling bread out of the oven (400 degrees, fully pre-heated, because
I'm a good cook), I grazed two of my fingers along the oven rack, which
yields, for those of you who don't know, a pretty nice first degree
burn and, in my case, a blister on a blister. Yumm. Meal time.
AHA recommends-
that one with 1st or 2nd degree burns run it under cool water for 10-20
minutes, or soak it. Then, take clean, sterile gauze and wrap the
wound to prevent it from air exposure, but be careful not to wrap it too
tight.
Whitney recommends- Much like the AHA
guidelines, I recommend cooling the wound off first. If you have a
drink, such as a bottle of beer, cold in the fridge, it will work over
time, between cooling your wound and taking your mind off of the searing
flesh. One is good, two or three are better. Also, seasonal ales, if
possible. They're just more festive. After about the first beer, get a
large bowl of cool water and just soak your burn (if you can soak it,
as in, it is on a hand or foot), and put on some Arrested Development
(either the band or the TV show) and you will be fine. Put a band-aid
on it, after it stops throbbing, if you really feel like you're a baby.
Animal Bites (Snake)
AHA recommends-
If you come across someone who has been bitten by a snake, call poison
control, but don't try any other methods to treat this wound on your
own.
Whitney recommends- If it's a friend who you
happen upon, at least attempt to suck out the poison, it shows that you
really care. You may first have to open the bite up by cutting your
friend (see a following recommendation to then treat this you've just
made) and then sucking it out, which will probably mean you're going to
get all sorts of bloodborne pathogens in your mouth, but it's better
than losing a friendship because you look like a giant vaje. If the
snake bite is inflicted upon a stranger, don't risk swallowing snake
venom or ending up with a disease, follow AHA guidelines on this one.
Animal Bites (Raccoon)
AHA recommends-
You call animal control and then go to the hospital/call 911. Not
necessarily in that order, which ever seems the most important at the
time.
Whitney recommends- Well, you probably have
hard core rabies, so, while your body is infested with rabid rage, hunt
that raccoon down and show him who's the boss... especially if you are
Tony effing Danza. Don't get me wrong, I'm pro-animal-life, but
seriously, that thing, if it is rabid, could eat a kitten or a baby, and
it would be a shame if it did so because you were too much of a
vegetarian to do anything about it. After your rage-riot, then seek out
a medical cure. We don't need any Florida Zombie outbreaks in these
parts. Don't be a dumb ass.
A Bloody Nose
AHA recommends- Pinch the nostrils, lean forward, not back, wait for the blood to clot.
Whitney recommends- STOP GETTING IN BAR FIGHTS. Sometimes the best treatment is preventative measures, idiot.
A Cut
AHA recommends-
Putting on gloves and protective eye-wear, pressing hard with gauze,
continuing pressure with more gauze until the bleeding stops, DO NOT
remove the bloody gauze, as you may re-open the wound and wrap it with a
sterile bandage. Seek further medical attention if necessary.
Whitney recommends-
Again, this is best with some serious alcohol. I recommend vodka for
this, and rubbing alcohol if you want to clean the wound. Dowse it (the
wound) and your liver with a few shots, if you don't have gauze (which,
I mean, who in their home, that does not have a child, has a bunch of
gauze lying around?) take a clean towel and press down. Then, when the
bleeding stops, cover that shit with band-aids (because, again, who
keeps a lot of gauze rolls/sterile dressing around?) It may take most
of a box, but it will be worth it. Keep those on until some douche
makes a comment about it looking funny, then change them out and replace
with new band-aids.
A Severed Digit
AHA recommends-
Packing the finger or toe on ice- not directly, but wrapped up in a
clean paper towel and in a ZipLock bag- and calling 911 or going to the
hospital to have it surgically reattached.
Whitney recommends- Don't get it reattached.
Stop being a big baby. One, you'll look like more of a bad ass and can
come up with a million cool stories as to why you don't have a finger.
And two, you can either send it to someone as a cruel prank, OR
litigation. A friend of a friend could always find it in a Coke-a-Cola
can and split some dough with you. Just sayin'.
An Abscessed Tooth
AHA- Doesn't have guidelines for this
Whitney Recommends-
Go see an effing dentist. Seriously. This is not fun. Get on some
antibiotics and DON'T DRINK, because it says so on the box, and you
don't want to mess with a puffy face for too long.... it really is
unbecoming. Trust me, I know.
*Fine print- these
are not my official methods or suggestions when I'm teaching, and again,
in no way are Representative of AHA guidelines or best practices.