Care in summer

2000/08/01 Agirre, Jabier - Medikua eta OEEko kidea Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna

Most small accidents occur in the summer months and it is no accident. We spend more hours away from home, in little known places, so the incidence of external risks is higher. On the other hand, the tranquility of holiday periods makes all things less important and often surprises occur. On other occasions, however, accidents result from bad luck.

And do we know what to do in these cases? At any time there may be a problem that can pose a health risk, so in the following lines I will give you some advice to be able to deal with these unforeseen.

Related to the bathroom

To avoid having a good day of fun on the beach, in the pool, in the type of aquapark or on the bank of the river, especially if there are small children, it is best to take into account some simple rules.

* Whether they know how to swim or not, children under 6 should always be under the supervision of their parents or caregivers. And it is also recommended to be attentive to the most curious children.

* Most accidents in pools occur by jumps and water games. Children, adolescents and young people, especially, are often "a donkey" and their games can be dangerous. They should not run in the pool, push themselves on the water bank, jump back or whistle, etc.

* When we go to the pool and of course to the seashore, seeing the lifeguard is not enough reason to forget the parents and caregivers of the responsibility of the children. Lifeguards often engage in other things, and their job is not to avoid ridiculous children or young people, but to help those in danger.

* The best way to get into the water is to do it slowly. First the neck is wet, then the arms and legs and finally the whole body. After eating, it is most prudent to wait an hour and a half before bathing, otherwise a digestion cut may occur. This suspension appears immediately and although they are perceived as a hard bite that prevents swimming, sometimes there is usually no time to react. In children it can be even more serious, because despite feeling pain in the head and neck area, they may not be important and continue swimming or diving until they lose consciousness. Also, sudden temperature changes (such as irruption in cold waters after prolonged sun exposure) can cause dizziness or headaches.

* If, being in the water, you observe chills, tiredness, headache, itching and dizziness without having completed the period of digestive rest, it is best to get out of the water and go into the shade. If chills continue, do not sleep and with what you have at hand (towel, or any other clothing) cover the body. Drink summer in small sips and if after an hour the discomfort persists, go to the doctor.

* Dipping jumps can also cause problems, especially if done dangerously (and kids like to do a small run ahead and head down, even without the help of their hands, or with their arms folded back). Before immersing yourself in the water, analyze the depth of the bottom and, if possible, do not throw it up and down, but forward. The arms should be placed in front, as a continuation of the body, protecting the neck and head.

* If you or someone else took you out of the drowned middle water you should immediately do a mouth-to-mouth breath: lie it face up on the ground with your head tilted backwards and get hands on the job. You should have your mouth free to your throat and cowbell; if you have dentures or prostheses, remove it. Close the nostrils (yours, of course) and blow every five seconds into your mouth until you breathe again. If desired, while blowing, you can crush your chest and abdomen. Once the test is done, place it on a rib and keep it as protected as possible, covered in clothing. However, a trained person should take care of it as soon as possible.

Small cuts

Hurting with a sharp and semi-hidden toe in the sand or with a can of preserves that we can not open in the kitchen is something common. If the bleeding is mild, clean the wound with soap and water and then apply iodine or antiseptic. Finally, cover the wound with a bandage. If there is no blood and the wound is not very large, it is best to leave it uncovered. If the wound causing device is dirty or rusty, it is preferable to go to the doctor to decide if it is necessary to vaccinate against tetanus.

Bleeding

The best measure for relatively large bleeding is to see the emergency doctor. Meanwhile, the wound can be squeezed with gas or pieces of cloth (if they are clean, of course). If not enough, tighten an important artery above the wound, that is, closer to the heart. If the bleeding wound is in the arm, you should compress the brachial artery (artery of the arm) inside the arm, between the armpit and the elbow. If the bleeding is in the leg, the femoral artery must be compressed in the thigh passage. In that same place you have to press hard, putting both thumbs at once. If it is still not enough and no doctor has yet been found, a tourniquet must be made in those areas and reassure it about 5 minutes to let the blood stored in them flow.

If the hemorrhage is nasal, despite having heard the opposite, what must be done is to sit and pull the head forward by squeezing the pit with the thumb for about ten minutes. It would also be convenient to place cold water compresses on the ridge or forehead.

Fractures and dislocations

When such a blow or accident occurs, it is relatively difficult to know if a bone has been broken at first sight. In case of doubt, it is better to think that yes and not cause more damage. Do not force any painful joints or give food or drink to the injured, as it may be necessary that it be later anesthetized in the hospital to bring the bones to its place. If the affected part begins to grow, remove anything that tightens and apply ice to lower inflammation. If the pain has occurred in the arm or shoulder, immobilize the limb with a towel, for example, and then go to the emergency room. If the blow has occurred on the leg or on the back, it is better to wait for help without moving the affected.

Cramps

To combat them and eliminate them it is advisable to take foods or drinks with salt. Rub the entire body part with cold water, for example, if cramps are felt on one foot, the massage will spread to the entire leg. On the other hand, keeping the body at rest is also a good remedy to ward off cramps.

Foreign bodies in the airways

If the object (i.e., the marble, button, or anything the child swallowed) is in the throat, and it is impossible to breathe, it must be removed immediately. Once the body is bent, a strong blow to the back can eject the object. If the child is small, grab his feet and head down, hit him with an open hand in the center of the shoulder (not too strong, clear). If you have put the object in your nose and you see it, cover the nostril you have free and, once your mouth is closed, tell it to blow: it may be enough. But if the object is higher or has entered the ear, do not try to go out and go to the doctor.

Punctures

Insect bites, unless there is a special allergy, are often unworrying. If a bee or wasp has bitten you and the punch has been present, remove the skin with tweezers or gently scratching the skin, clean the wound with soap and water and finally ice in the puncture area.

* If it is a scorpion puncture or snake bite. However, if you act but muscle spasms or inflammations appear, as well as otherwise, you should be seen by a doctor to avoid complications.

* If the puncture is caused by a jellyfish, clean the wound with seawater, then moisten the wound with alcohol or ammonia (once removed with water). It can be replaced by vinegar. Use cold compresses or ice to relieve itching. Avoid excessive contact with the wound to prevent the infection from spreading to another part of the body.

Heat stroke

When it's hot, being exposed to the sun, working outdoors, or exercising, it can cause a heat stroke: the body gets too hot, but the person doesn't sweat enough to lower the temperature. The skin is hot and red, the heart rate is accelerated and the breathing rate is also accelerated. It is very normal to be confused or disoriented, to lose consciousness and to have convulsions. The patient must be immediately transferred to the hospital and in the meantime covered with wet sheets and/or ice wrapped in clothes or a handkerchief.

Outside home

If you are on holiday with children:

* Try to locate at all times. Do not take for granted. * If not very small, the first day facilities (house, hotel, etc.) show them to know the environment and know where the danger points are (pool, electric cables, insects...).

*As you do at home, do not leave cleaning products or medicines available to children.

Red Cross recommendations for beaches:

* Respect security flags: GREEN (bath free); YELLOW (bath care); RED (bath forbidden).

* Bathing only in guarded areas.

* Keep children under 12 from bathing.

* Do not jump upside down in an unknown location.

* Do not swim against current or around the waiters.

* Do not advance in areas that do not touch your foot.

* Do not abruptly enter the water after sunbathing.

* Do not bathe immediately after eating, wait hour and a half.

* Do not drink alcoholic beverages on the beach.

* Remove immediately from water in case of chills or headache.

* Always follow the instructions of the first responders.