5 Essential first-aid tips everyone should know by heart

The number of people who will die this year because ­ bystanders are too scared to help them will be much.

Your chances of surviving a heart attack are tiny if no one tries CPR until medics arrive, researchers at Warwick University found.

The world Heart Foundation is urging everyone to learn this vital technique to turn the world into a world of lifesavers.

Here is the first-aid tips everyone should know by heart:

1. Chocking

*If the person is conscious, stand behind them, lean their head forward then strike them forcefully between the shoulder blades with an open palm.
*If, after five attempts, they have not coughed up the obstruction, try the Heimlich manoeuvre.
*Standing behind, place your arms around their waist and bend them well forward. Clench your fist, and place it above their belly button.
*Place your other hand on top, then thrust both hands backwards in the stomach with a hard, upward movement. Repeat until the object is expelled through their mouth.

2. Bleeding 

*Bleeding from an artery can cause death in minutes so it is vital to apply hard pressure on the wound until medical help arrives.
*Press with a sterile cloth and bandage it if possible but if the blood soaks through, do not remove dressings, just place more on top. Or use your hands to apply pressure.
*The person must be made to lie down, preferably with their head lower than the rest of them to get enough oxygen to the brain.
*If possible, position the wounded area higher than the rest of their body to reduce bleeding.

3. Electrocution

*Do not touch the casualty if they are still in contact with the appliance – you risk electrocuting yourself.
*Turn off the electricity at the mains if possible. Remove the plug or wrench the cable free. Or stand on dry, insulating material – a plastic mat or phone directory – and use a wooden broom to push the casualty away from the electrical source or the source from them.

4. CPR

*If you find someone unconscious, kneel beside them and open their airway by gently tilting their head back and lifting their chin.
*Check they are breathing normally by looking for chest movements and feeling for breath on your cheek.
*Place the heel of one hand on their breastbone and your other hand on top, interlocking fingers. With straight arms, push the breastbone down firmly, 5-6cm, giving two compressions per
second.
*After 30 compressions, check the airway. Pinch their nostrils closed, take a breath, make a seal around their mouth and breathe out steadily.
*Their chest should rise and fall. Repeat with a second breath – take no longer than five seconds. Repeat 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until medics take over or they regain consciousness.

5. Stroke

*If you think someone is having a stroke, follow the FAST test.
*Face: Ask them to smile. Are they able to smile on only one side of their mouth?
*Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Are they able to lift only one arm?
*Speech: Are they struggling to speak clearly?
*Keep them comfy and supported. If they are responsive, help them into a comfortable position.
*Keep checking breathing, pulse and level of response. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink – they may not be able to swallow.

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