Information Sheet
November 2020
Helping Yourself and not Straining the NHS
As we have heard on the news, retail sales have increased again particularly in DIY and gardening products.
  • Think about things that you want to do with any spare time, especially if they are things that you do not usually do and with tools and equipment that you do not usually use
  • Anything from a small garden fork to a chain saw and a small screwdriver to a circular saw is dangerous and just as importantly if they are used incorrectly and for jobs that they are not designed for
  • Do not over reach or work on an unstable platform, including ladders if you are not used to working from them. Ladders must be secured from moving and/or slipping at the top and at the bottom
  • If you are working on a ladder, someone else should be there, possibly footing the ladder, making sure that any tool wires are not across the ladder etc, to minimise the risk of a fall

Accidents can happen at any time and anywhere, cuts, grazes, burns, sprains, strains, broken bones, dislocations etc. Then there are other problems: Angina, heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrest etc.

Some of the above require hospital attention while some of them may not, knowing which, can save time for treating an injured person and possibly keep them away from A&E.
Only use A&E for serious and/or life-threatening injuries.

Below is some very basic information to help you in those circumstances, it will work.  it is not comprehensive, that is what our courses are for.

Cuts and grazes
You can allow some cuts and grazes to bleed a little as this can help to self clean the wound.
When cleaning a wound, use a lint free cloth and water and clean a graze from the middle outwards, dry it and put a dry dressing on it, no antiseptic ointment, check regularly. When a scab forms allow the wound underneath to heal and the scab will come off.
With a cut,  clean the area, sometimes a little direct pressure is needed to help it to stop bleeding. When it has stopped, put a dry dressing on it then as with a graze. If the cut is large and is difficult to stop the bleeding use direct pressure, keep it on and dial 999.

Burns
Put any burn under tepid running water for 10 mins., or multiples of 10 mins. If you have some clingfilm, tear off the first couple of turns and bin it. Then tear off a piece which is large enough to cover the injury and drape it over the wound and you can continue to cool the injury. Do not put creams or ointments on the injury. If there is any clothing, rings, watches etc. try to remove them as quickly as possible, if anything is stuck, leave it where it is. If the burn is to the face, hands, feet, genitals or all the way around a limb, hospital treatment is required. If the burn is bigger than the casuality’s whole hand, including the fingers, hospital treatment is required.

This year I'm strongly suggesting that home fireworks are forgotten, for the sake of home safety and the NHS

Sprains and strains
Simple sprains and strains are treated using the acronym RICE. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate.
  • ​Rest, by sitting or lying down
  • Ice, using chipped or small pieces of ice wrapped in a cloth or tea towel so that the ice does not directly touch the skin. Then wrap it around the affected area
  • Compress, using a firm broad bandage
  • Elevate, if it is an ankle, lift it and support it above the height of the hip

When this current situation allows, remembering there are permissions at this time for education and training, contact Life Saving Solutions Limited and we can give you the full picture.
 
Please continue to keep taking care, and follow the guidance in your area.
For more information about this subject, or planning for future courses,
​get in touch with Life Saving Solutions. 01246 417377 or 07736 257453