Family Health, First Aid and Safety
What this domain tests
This domain tests first-aid priorities for common household emergencies and prevention of accidents at home.
First-aid priorities
Make the area safe, check the casualty's response, ensure airway, breathing and circulation, control severe bleeding, call for help, and treat without moving a suspected spinal injury.
Common emergencies and correct action
- Burns - cool with running water for 10–20 minutes, cover loosely, do not apply ice, toothpaste, oil or butter.
- Cuts - clean, press to stop bleeding, cover with sterile gauze.
- Fracture - immobilize with a support, do not attempt to set the bone.
- Electric shock - switch off the current first, then attend to the person.
- Snake bite - keep the person still and calm, immobilize the limb, remove rings, and reach hospital for antivenom; no tourniquet, no cutting, no suction.
- Fainting - lay flat, loosen clothing, ensure fresh air.
- Poisoning - do not induce vomiting; take the container to hospital.
Home safety
Store medicines and chemicals separately and out of children's reach, keep gas knobs off, use stair guards and non-slip bathroom surfaces, and maintain electrical wiring. A first-aid box should contain antiseptic, gauze, bandage, adhesive plaster, cotton, scissors, thermometer and ORS.
Worked example
A child spills hot dal on the hand. Reasoning: the priority is limiting heat damage in tissue, so cool with running water, not with ice or toothpaste, which add injury or infection. Then cover loosely and seek medical advice if blisters are large.
Traps that cost marks
- Applying oil, toothpaste or ice to burns.
- Touching an electric-shock victim before switching off the supply.
- Tying a tight tourniquet or cutting a snake bite.
- Inducing vomiting in poisoning cases.