Health, Hygiene and First Aid
Health, Hygiene and First Aid connects personal and environmental health with safe emergency response. The exam tests health definitions, hygiene practices, communicable disease prevention and correct first-aid steps.
Health and hygiene
Health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being, not merely absence of disease. Personal hygiene includes bathing, oral care, handwashing and clean clothing. Environmental hygiene covers safe water, food, waste disposal, ventilation and vector control. Handwashing with soap at key times reduces diarrhoeal and respiratory infections. Immunisation, safe food and clean water prevent many communicable diseases.
First aid
First aid is immediate, temporary care before professional help. The priority sequence is scene safety, checking responsiveness and breathing, calling emergency help, and giving appropriate care. Control severe bleeding with direct pressure; cool burns with running water; do not apply ice directly, burst blisters or apply home remedies. For choking in a conscious adult, encourage coughing; if ineffective, give back blows and abdominal thrusts. Do not move a suspected spinal injury unless there is immediate danger.
Worked example
A child spills hot water on the forearm. Reasoning: remove the child from danger, cool the burn under cool running water for about 20 minutes, remove jewellery if not stuck, cover loosely with a clean non-fluffy cloth and seek medical help for a large or deep burn. Do not apply toothpaste, oil or ice.
Traps
Do not induce vomiting after poisoning unless advised. Do not give food or drink to an unconscious person. Do not use cotton wool directly on a burn. First aid does not replace medical treatment.