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Instructions on Basic First Aid for Teachers

As all teachers know, accidents can happen in the classroom at any moment. Whether it's a simple scrape on the playground or a more severe injury, teachers have to take all accidents seriously. It's important to know some basic first aid procedures just in case one or more of your students get hurt.

  1. Cuts and Scratches

    • There are a few things you can do to help control bleeding from a cut, scrape or scratch. First, place a bandage over the wound and apply direct pressure. Only apply enough pressure to control the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes will usually stop bleeding after you've held a bandage on them for several minutes. If the wound is more severe, and direct pressure isn't stopping the bleeding, elevate the wound above the victim's heart and use gravity to your advantage.

    Poisoning

    • If one of your students has ingested some sort of harmful chemical or substance, call a poison control center or 911 right away. The dispatcher will need to know exactly what the student swallowed, so keep the substance name handy when you make the phone call. Chemical names of brand-name products are usually displayed on their containers.

    Shock

    • Shock occurs when someone suffers a severe injury or is suffering from a severe allergic reaction. The body goes into "shut-down mode" and normal functions are stopping in order to preserve life. Usually, shock indicates the victim has lost a lot of blood and his/her blood pressure is decreasing to dangerous levels. If a student goes into shock, call 911 immediately. Keep the victim warm using blankets, and try to keep them calm. It often helps to lay the victim down and elevate the legs and feet about eight to 10 inches off the ground to move blood back to the core. Do not elevate the legs if the patient has a face or head injury.

    Breaks and Sprains

    • If someone suffers from a break or sprain, it would be wise to leave the person where they are and wait for emergency services to arrive. Moving a broken bone can cause further pain and damage, so if it's possible, wait for the professionals to arrive. If you must move the victim, splinting the broken or sprained limb will help keep it stabilized. To splint, place two stiff objects on either side of the broken limb. Virtually anything can be used -- sticks, cardboard and rolled-up newspaper are good examples. Wrap tape, bandages, cord or cloth around the splint, and carefully tie or secure it in several places along the broken limb. Never place a knot directly over the break.

    General Considerations

    • Always try to remain calm when someone is injured. If the victim's caretaker is calm, the victim is more likely to remain calm. Be sure to survey the situation before starting any interventions. You need to make sure the area is safe for yourself and other students before jumping in and helping. When in doubt, don't hesitate to call emergency medical services.

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