First Aid

Habari Mwanafunzi! Welcome to the World of First Aid!

Imagine this: you are playing football with your friends on the school field. Suddenly, your friend Juma trips and falls, scraping his knee badly. He's in pain and bleeding. What do you do? Do you panic? Do you run away? Or do you become a hero in that moment? Today, you will learn the skills to be that hero. Welcome to our lesson on First Aid!

First Aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person suffering from either a minor or serious illness or injury. Think of it as the first important step you take to help someone before a doctor, nurse, or ambulance arrives. Your quick actions can prevent an injury from getting worse and can even save a life!

Image Suggestion: [A vibrant, hopeful digital painting of a group of Kenyan high school students in uniform. One student is calmly kneeling and applying a bandage to another student's scraped elbow on a school playground. Other students look on with concern but relief. The style should be positive and empowering.]

The 3 P's: The Main Aims of First Aid

In any emergency, you should remember three simple but powerful goals. We call them the 3 P's:

• Preserve Life: This is the most important goal. Your main job is to keep the person alive until professional help arrives.
• Prevent Further Injury: You must make sure the person's condition does not get worse. This could mean moving them away from danger (like a busy road) or applying a simple bandage to stop bleeding.
• Promote Recovery: Your actions, like cooling a burn or putting a person in a comfortable position, can help them heal faster.

The First Aider's Toolkit: The First Aid Kit

Every home, school, and even matatu should have a First Aid Kit! It's a special box containing supplies you need to handle common injuries. What should be inside?

• Bandages & Plasters: For covering cuts and scrapes.
• Antiseptic Wipes/Solution (e.g., Dettol): To clean wounds and prevent infection.
• Gauze & Cotton Wool: For cleaning wounds and padding.
• Scissors: For cutting bandages or clothing.
• Painkillers (e.g., Panadol): For mild pain. Always ask an adult before giving any medication!
• Gloves: To protect yourself from blood and other body fluids.

DRSABCD: Your Action Plan for Emergencies

When you find someone who is hurt and unresponsive, it can be scary. Just remember this simple plan: DRSABCD. It tells you exactly what to do, step by step.

  D (Danger)
     |
     V
  R (Response) --> (If they respond, make them comfortable)
     |
     V
  S (Send for Help)
     |
     V
  A (Airway)
     |
     V
  B (Breathing) --> (If they are breathing, place in recovery position)
     |
     V
  C (CPR)
     |
     V
  D (Defibrillation)

• Danger: Check for any danger to YOU, the victim, or others. Is there traffic? A fallen power line? A fire from a jiko? Make the area safe first!
• Response: Is the person conscious? Gently tap their shoulder and ask loudly, "Hello! Can you hear me? Fungua macho!"
• Send for help: Shout for help. Tell someone specifically to call a teacher or dial the Kenyan emergency number (112 or 999).
• Airway: Is their airway open? Gently tilt their head back and lift their chin to open the airway. Check for anything blocking it, like food or blood.
• Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for 10 seconds. Is their chest rising and falling?
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): If the person is NOT breathing, you may need to perform CPR. This involves pushing hard and fast on the center of the chest. This is an advanced skill you can learn in a First Aid club!

When performing chest compressions in CPR, the rate is very important. You need to do it at a speed of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

# Calculation for CPR Rate

Target Rate: 100-120 compressions per minute.
Time for 30 compressions:

- To find the time for 30 compressions at 100 compressions/min:
  (60 seconds / 100 compressions) * 30 compressions = 18 seconds

- To find the time for 30 compressions at 120 compressions/min:
  (60 seconds / 120 compressions) * 30 compressions = 15 seconds

**Conclusion:** You should aim to complete 30 chest compressions in about 15-18 seconds.

Handling Common Kenyan Scenarios

Let's look at some situations you might actually face at home or at school.

Scenario 1: The Football Injury

Your friend Amina falls while playing netball and gets a deep cut (kidonda) on her leg from a sharp stone. It's bleeding a lot.

What to do: 1. Tell her to sit down. 2. Get your gloves on if you have them. 3. Using a clean cloth or gauze from the First Aid kit, apply firm, direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. 4. If you can, raise the leg higher than her heart. 5. Once bleeding stops, clean the wound gently with water or an antiseptic wipe, and cover it with a clean bandage. Tell her to see the school nurse.

Image Suggestion: [A close-up, educational-style photograph showing a pair of hands (wearing disposable gloves) correctly applying direct pressure with a clean gauze pad to a simulated cut on an arm. The background is slightly blurred to focus on the action. The lighting is bright and clear.]

What About Burns from a Sufuria or Jiko?

Burns are common in our kitchens. If someone gets a minor burn:

1. Immediately cool the burn with cool (not icy cold!) running water for at least 10-20 minutes. This is the most important step!
2. Gently remove any jewellery or tight clothing from the area before it swells.
3. Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing or plastic cling film.
4. IMPORTANT: Never put oil, butter, toothpaste, or coffee on a burn! These can trap heat and cause infection.

Sprains and Strains: The R.I.C.E. Method

You've twisted your ankle playing 'kati' or during P.E. It's painful and starting to swell. Remember R.I.C.E.!

• Rest: Stop using the injured part. Sit or lie down.
• Ice: Apply a cold pack (like ice wrapped in a towel) to the area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. This reduces swelling and pain.
• Compression: Lightly wrap the injured area with a bandage to provide support and limit swelling.
• Elevation: Keep the injured limb raised, preferably above the level of the heart.

# Diagram for R.I.C.E. - Elevation

     (Heart Level)
          /
         /
        /
  (Injured Leg) ------- CUSHION/PILLOW
  
  Keep the injured leg elevated on a pillow or chair to reduce swelling.

You Are Now a First Aid Champion!

Congratulations! You have learned the basics of First Aid. This knowledge is a superpower. You can use it to help your family, friends, and community. Remember to always stay calm, keep yourself safe, and do your best to help. Consider joining a First Aid club like St. John Ambulance or the Kenya Red Cross at your school to learn even more life-saving skills!

Go on and be the hero you are meant to be!

Habari Mwanafunzi! Welcome to First Aid 101!

Imagine you are playing football with your friends in the school field. Suddenly, your friend trips and falls, scraping their knee badly. Everyone crowds around, but nobody knows what to do. Do you panic? Do you run away? Or do you become the hero of the moment? Today, you will learn how to be that hero! First Aid is the immediate help you give to someone who is injured or suddenly becomes ill, before a doctor or ambulance arrives. It's a skill that can save a life, and anyone, including you, can learn it. Let's begin!

The Main Goals of First Aid: The 3 P's

When you give First Aid, you have three main goals. We can remember them easily as the 3 P's:

• Preserve life: This is the most important goal. Your actions, like stopping bleeding or helping someone who is choking, can save a person's life.
• Prevent the condition from worsening: You aim to stop the injury from getting worse. For example, cooling a burn prevents it from going deeper into the skin, and putting a bandage on a cut prevents germs from entering.
• Promote recovery: Your help can make the healing process faster and better. Simple things like reassuring the person or putting them in a comfortable position can make a huge difference.

What's Inside a First Aid Kit?

A First Aid kit is like a toolbox for a hero! Every school, home, and even school bus should have one. It contains essential items to handle common injuries.

Image Suggestion: [A vibrant, clear photograph of an open green First Aid box with a white cross on it. The box is placed on a simple wooden desk in a well-lit classroom in Kenya. Inside, items like rolled bandages, plasters of different sizes, antiseptic wipes, cotton wool, surgical gloves, and a pair of small scissors are neatly arranged and clearly visible.]

Here are some of the things you'll find inside:

• Gloves: To protect yourself and the casualty from germs.
• Bandages & Plasters: To cover cuts and wounds.
• Antiseptic Wipes: To clean wounds and prevent infection.
• Cotton Wool: For cleaning and padding.
• Scissors: To cut bandages or clothing if necessary.
• Painkillers: Simple ones like Panadol, for headaches or minor pain (always ask an adult first!).

The Golden Rule of Action: DRSABC

In an emergency, it's easy to get confused. DRSABC is an action plan that tells you exactly what to do, step-by-step. It keeps both you and the casualty safe. Sawa?

    +-----------------+
    |   D - DANGER    |  --> Is the area safe for you and the casualty?
    +-----------------+
            |
            V
    +-----------------+
    |  R - RESPONSE   |  --> Is the person awake? (Tap shoulder, ask "Are you okay?")
    +-----------------+
            |
            V
    +-----------------+
    | S - SEND FOR HELP |  --> Shout! Tell someone to call a teacher or an ambulance.
    +-----------------+
            |
            V
    +-----------------+
    |   A - AIRWAY    |  --> Is their airway open and clear? (Tilt head back gently)
    +-----------------+
            |
            V
    +-----------------+
    |  B - BREATHING  |  --> Are they breathing normally? (Look, listen, feel for 10s)
    +-----------------+
            |
            V
    +-----------------+
    | C - COMPRESSIONS |  --> If not breathing, start chest compressions (CPR).
    +-----------------+
    

A Kenyan Scenario: You see a man who has been knocked off his boda boda on the side of the road. Before you rush to help, you must check for Danger. Are there other cars coming? Is there spilled petrol? Your safety comes first! Only when it is safe should you approach him and check for Response.

Dealing with Common Injuries

Let's look at how to handle some common situations you might encounter at home or in school.

1. Cuts and Grazes (Michubuko)

This happens all the time during games! Don't worry, here's what to do:

1. Wash your hands and wear gloves if you have them.
2. Clean the wound gently with clean running water or an antiseptic wipe. Wipe away from the centre of the wound.
3. Stop the bleeding by applying firm, gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
4. Cover the wound with a plaster or a sterile bandage to keep it clean.

2. Burns (from a jiko or hot uji)

Kitchen accidents are common. The most important thing is to cool the burn quickly!

• Immediately place the burned area under cool running water for at least 10-20 minutes.
• Gently remove any jewellery or tight clothing from the area before it swells.
• Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-fluffy cloth (like a clean kitambaa) or plastic cling film.
• IMPORTANT: Never put butter, oil, toothpaste, or any other myths on a burn! They trap heat and can cause infection.

Image Suggestion: [A close-up shot focusing on a Kenyan person's hand with a minor burn on the back of it, being held under a gentle stream of cool, clear water from a tap. The background is a simple, clean kitchen setting typical of a Kenyan home. The person's expression is calm.]

3. The Recovery Position

If a person is unconscious but is still breathing normally, you should put them in the recovery position. This keeps their airway open and prevents them from choking if they vomit.

      Diagram: The Recovery Position
      
      Step 1: Kneel beside the person.
      
          O  (Head)
         /|\ (Arms)
         / \ (Legs)
      
      Step 2: Place the arm nearest to you at a right angle.
      
          O
        --|--
         / \
      
      Step 3: Bring the other arm across their chest, hand to cheek.
      
          O
       /--|--
         / \
      
      Step 4: Grab the far knee, pull it up, and roll them towards you.
      
             (Head on hand)
          O----
          | \  (Body rolled over)
          |__\ (Top leg bent)
    

First Aid Math: CPR compressions

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is used when someone is not breathing. For older children and adults, the standard rate is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. The speed of compressions should be between 100 to 120 beats per minute (think of the tempo of the song "Baby Shark"!).

Let's do some calculations!

    Problem:
    If you perform chest compressions for 2 full minutes at a rate of 110 compressions per minute, how many compressions will you have given?

    Formula:
    Total Compressions = Rate (compressions/minute) x Time (minutes)

    Calculation:
    Total Compressions = 110 compressions/minute * 2 minutes
    Total Compressions = 220

    Answer:
    You would have given 220 chest compressions in 2 minutes. That's a lot of work, but it can keep blood flowing to the brain!
    

You Can Be a First Aider!

Being a first aider isn't just about knowing what to do. It's also about your attitude. Always remember to:

• Stay Calm: Your calm presence will help the injured person feel less scared.
• Be Kind and Reassuring: Talk to the person. Tell them your name and that you are there to help them.
• Your Safety is Priority: Never put yourself in danger.

Real-Life Hero Story: During our school's sports day, a Form 1 student named Juma saw his friend fall and twist his ankle during the 100m race. While others just stood and watched, Juma remembered his Health Education lesson. He calmly helped his friend to sit down, told him not to put weight on the foot, and carefully elevated the leg on his school bag to reduce swelling. He then sent another student to get the school nurse. Juma was a hero that day because he knew what to do and stayed calm!

Congratulations! You have just taken your first step to becoming a knowledgeable and confident first aider. Remember the 3 P's and DRSABC. This knowledge is a superpower that allows you to care for your friends, family, and community. Keep learning and be ready to help!

Habari Mwanafunzi! Be a Hero in Your Community.

Have you ever seen someone get hurt—maybe a friend who fell while playing mpira, or a small child who got a burn at home—and you wished you knew exactly what to do? That feeling of wanting to help is powerful. Today, you will learn the skills to turn that feeling into action. First Aid is not just for doctors and nurses; it's for everyone. It is the power to be a calm, helpful presence in an emergency. You can be the person who makes a real difference. Let's begin!

What Exactly is First Aid? The Three "P"s

First Aid is the immediate help you give to someone who is injured or suddenly becomes ill, before a professional (like a doctor or ambulance crew) arrives. Think of yourself as the first link in a chain of survival. Your goal is to follow the three Ps:

• Preserve Life: This is the most important goal. Your actions can save someone's life.
• Prevent Further Injury: Your goal is to stop the situation from getting worse. This could mean stopping bleeding or moving someone away from danger.
• Promote Recovery: The help you give can affect how quickly and how well the person recovers.

Scenario: Imagine a boda boda rider skids and falls on a dusty road. People are crowding around, shouting. A First Aider would first make sure the scene is safe from traffic (Prevent Further Injury), then check if the rider is breathing (Preserve Life), and then talk to them calmly while waiting for help (Promote Recovery).

The First Rule of First Aid: Safety First! (DRSABCD)

Before you rush in to help, you must remember one very important rule: do not become a casualty yourself! A hero who gets hurt cannot help anyone. We use the acronym DRSABCD to remember the steps to take to keep everyone safe.

    D --> Danger
     |
    R --> Response
     |
    S --> Shout for Help
     |
    A --> Airway
     |
    B --> Breathing
     |
    C --> Compressions (CPR)
     |
    D --> Defibrillation

• Danger: Look around. Is there traffic? A fire? A live electrical wire? Make sure the area is safe for you and the casualty.
• Response: Gently tap their shoulders and ask loudly, "Hello! Are you okay? Can you hear me?" If they respond, they are conscious.
• Shout: Call for help immediately. Shout to people nearby or call Kenya's emergency number, 112 or 999.
• Airway: If the person is unconscious, you must check their airway. Gently tilt their head back and lift their chin to open the airway. Check for any blockages like food or vomit.
• Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for breathing for up to 10 seconds. Is their chest rising and falling?
• Compressions: If they are NOT breathing, this is when you would start CPR. We will talk more about this.
• Defibrillation: This involves a special machine used by trained professionals to shock the heart.

Dealing with Common Kenyan Emergencies

Let's look at some situations you might encounter at home, at school, or in your neighbourhood.

1. Cuts and Bleeding (Vidonda na Kuvuja Damu)

Your friend cuts their leg on a piece of metal while chasing a ball. What do you do? Remember PEA: Pressure, Elevate, Apply.

• Pressure: Using a clean cloth or bandage, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
• Elevate: If possible, lift the bleeding limb above the level of the heart. This uses gravity to help slow the bleeding.
• Apply: Apply a clean dressing or bandage. If blood soaks through, do not remove it! Just add another layer on top.

Image Suggestion: [A vibrant, educational illustration showing a Kenyan teenager wearing a school uniform calmly applying pressure with a clean cloth to another student's bleeding knee. The injured student is sitting on the ground by a football pitch, and the helping student looks focused and reassuring. The background shows a typical Kenyan school field with acacia trees.]

2. Burns (Michomo)

Someone at home accidentally spills hot tea or touches a hot jiko. The key is to cool the burn immediately!

• Cool the burn: Run cool (not icy cold) water over the burn for at least 20 minutes. This is very important as it stops the burning process in the skin.
• Remove any tight clothing or jewellery near the burn, unless it is stuck to the skin.
• Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing or plastic wrap (cling film).
• NEVER use ice, butter, oil, or any traditional remedies like toothpaste on a burn! They can trap heat and cause more damage.

To estimate the size of a burn, we can use the "Rule of Palms".

    The surface area of the patient's palm (including their fingers)
    is approximately 1% of their total body surface area.

    Example Calculation:
    If a burn covers an area equal to three of the patient's palms,
    the burn covers roughly 3% of their body.
    
    Formula:
    (Number of Palms that fit on the burn) x 1% = Total Body Surface Area (%) Burned

3. Choking (Kusakamwa)

A child starts coughing and cannot breathe after swallowing a piece of githeri or a sweet. They are choking. Act fast!

1. Encourage them to cough. This is often enough to clear the airway.
2. If they cannot cough, stand behind them and give 5 sharp back blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3. If that doesn't work, perform 5 abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich Manoeuvre).

    ASCII Diagram: Abdominal Thrusts Hand Position
    
         Your Hands
             |
             v
       +-----------+
       |   Fist    |  <-- Make a fist
       +-----------+
             |
       +-----------+
       | Other Hand|  <-- Grasp the fist with your other hand
       +-----------+
             |
             v
    Place between navel (kitovu) and ribs, and pull inwards and upwards sharply.

The Recovery Position

If a person is unconscious but is still breathing normally, you should place them in the recovery position. This keeps their airway open and ensures they won't choke if they vomit.

    Step-by-Step Recovery Position:

    1. Victim is on their back. Kneel beside them.
       O
      /|\
      / \

    2. Place their arm nearest to you at a right angle.
         /
       -O
      /|\
      / \

    3. Bring their other arm across their chest, hand to cheek.
         /
       -O-
      /|\
      / \

    4. Bend their far knee up.
         /
       -O-
      /| \
      /   >

    5. Gently pull their bent knee to roll them towards you.
       Their body is now on its side, supported by the knee and elbow.
       Tilt their head back slightly to keep the airway open.
         
          O--
         /|
        -|- >
         |

Image Suggestion: [A clear, step-by-step infographic with four panels. Each panel shows two diverse Kenyan students on a school lawn. One student is demonstrating how to move the other (the "casualty") into the recovery position. The instructions are simple and clear, with arrows indicating movement. Style is clean and educational.]

CPR: A Skill That Saves Lives

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is used when someone is unconscious AND not breathing. It involves pushing on the chest (compressions) to pump blood around the body. While a full CPR course is needed to learn this properly, knowing the rate of compressions is a great start.

You need to push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. How fast is that? It's similar to the beat of many popular, fast songs!

    Calculating the CPR Rate:

    Goal Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
    
    If you do 50 compressions in 30 seconds:
    
    Time in minutes = 30 seconds / 60 = 0.5 minutes
    Rate = Total Compressions / Time in Minutes
    Rate = 50 / 0.5
    Rate = 100 compressions per minute. (This is a good speed!)

You Are Ready to Help!

Congratulations! You have just learned the basics of First Aid. Remember to always stay calm, keep yourself safe, and do what you can to help. You don't need to be a doctor to save a life. Sometimes, the simple actions you take in the first few minutes can make all the difference.

Consider joining a First Aid club at your school, like the St. John Ambulance or the Kenya Red Cross, to practice these skills. You now have the knowledge to be a confident and capable first aider—a true hero in your community!