What practical first aid knowledge for home use can ordinary people learn from nursing science?

Okay, no problem! That's a really great question. Actually, many core concepts and skills from nursing can be incredibly useful for ordinary people to learn and apply at home, potentially even saving lives in critical moments. Speaking from experience, let me share the essential first aid knowledge that we, as non-professionals, should definitely master.

What Practical First Aid Knowledge Can Ordinary People Learn from Nursing?

Hey there! That's a truly excellent and vital question you've asked. Many people think nursing, first aid, and such things are distant from us, reserved for doctors and nurses. But in reality, the first scene of an accident is often at home. Those few minutes before the ambulance arrives – what we call the "golden window for rescue" – can make a world of difference if we know the right things to do.

Let me outline the most practical things from a nursing perspective that are truly worth our time to learn.

I. Before Taking Action: The Crucial "Nursing Assessment" Mindset

Before learning any specific techniques, remember the most important golden rule in nursing: Assess first, then act! When faced with an emergency, don't panic and rush in blindly.

Is the environment safe? For example, if someone is electrocuted and collapses, is your first instinct to pull them? Absolutely not! Cut the power source first. If someone is in a burning room, ensure you won't get trapped yourself. This protects you and is the prerequisite for being able to help others continuously.
What is the condition of the injured/sick person? Check two simple things:
- Are they conscious? Tap their shoulder and ask loudly, "Hey! What's wrong? Can you hear me?"
- Are they breathing? Observe if their chest is rising and falling.

This "assessment" mindset is the foundation of all first aid. It helps you stay calm amidst chaos and take the correct first step.

II. Handling Common Household Accidents

These are the situations most likely to happen at home. Mastering them can solve 80% of the problems.

1. What to do for a burn? – Remember the "Cool, Remove, Immerse, Cover, Seek Help" Five-Step Rule

Burns from cooking in the kitchen or a child knocking over a hot cup are very common.

Wrong approach: Applying toothpaste, soy sauce, salt, or placing ice directly on the burn! These "folk remedies" are not only useless but can also cause infection and worsen the injury.
Correct approach (Nursing core: Rapid cooling, protect the wound):
- Cool: Immediately! Right away! Cool the burn under cool (not ice-cold), clean running water for at least 15-20 minutes. The flow shouldn't be too strong; the goal is cooling.
- Remove: Carefully remove clothing from the burned area. If clothing is stuck to the skin, don't pull it off. Carefully cut away the fabric around it first.
- Immerse: If running water isn't practical (e.g., large area burn), immerse the area in cool water to continue cooling.
- Cover: Gently cover the burn with a clean, sterile non-stick dressing, cling film, or a clean cloth. This is mainly to prevent infection.
- Seek Help: If the burn is large (larger than the palm of your hand), deep (appears white or charred), or on the face, joints, or other critical areas, go to the hospital immediately.

2. What to do for a cut/bleeding? – The core is "Direct Pressure"

Cut your finger while chopping vegetables? Or fell and scraped yourself? Bleeding?

Wrong approach: Wiping it casually with tissue, or tightly tying a rope or rubber band above the wound (unless it's major arterial bleeding and you are trained, avoid tourniquets).
Correct approach (Nursing core: Stop bleeding, prevent infection):
1. Minor cut: Rinse with clean water or saline solution, then apply a band-aid.
2. Significant bleeding: Find a clean gauze pad (or clean towel/handkerchief), place it directly over the wound, and apply firm, steady pressure! Don't let go! Maintain pressure for 5-10 minutes. If blood soaks through the first pad, don't remove it; add another pad on top and keep pressing.
3. Elevate the injured limb: If an arm or leg is injured, elevate it above the level of the heart while applying pressure to reduce blood flow.
4. Seek medical attention: If the wound is deep, large, or bleeding doesn't stop with pressure, go to the hospital immediately; stitches may be needed.

3. What to do for a sprained ankle? – Remember the "RICE Principle"

Missing a step on the stairs or twisting an ankle during sports is also common.

Wrong approach: Immediately rubbing vigorously or applying heat. This causes more capillary damage and worse swelling.
Correct approach (RICE Principle, Nursing core: Rest, Reduce swelling, Relieve pain):
- R (Rest): Stop using the injured ankle or wrist. Sit or lie down immediately.
- I (Ice): Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin towel) to the most painful area for 15-20 minutes at a time, every 2-3 hours. This constricts blood vessels, reducing swelling and pain.
- C (Compression): Wrap the area gently with an elastic bandage (from the toes towards the calf for an ankle), snug but not tight, for support.
- E (Elevation): When sitting or lying down, prop up the injured foot/ankle on pillows above the level of the heart.

4. What if someone is choking? – The Life-Saving "Heimlich Maneuver"

This is a true life-or-death situation! If someone suddenly can't speak while eating, clutches their throat, and turns purple, their airway is blocked.

If they can still cough or speak: Encourage forceful coughing. Do NOT slap their back!
If they CANNOT speak or cough (Perform the Heimlich Maneuver):
1. Stand behind them, have them lean slightly forward.
2. Make a fist with one hand. Place the thumb side of your fist against the center of their abdomen, just above the navel and below the breastbone.
3. Grasp your fist with your other hand and perform quick, upward abdominal thrusts (inward and upward), like making a "J" shape.
4. Repeat thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unconscious.
5. If they become unconscious: Lay them down flat immediately, call emergency services, and be prepared to start CPR.

Important Note: This technique requires learning the correct posture from a video. Special techniques are needed for pregnant women, obese individuals, and infants (back blows and chest thrusts). Strongly recommend watching a video demonstration!

III. More Important Than Techniques: The "Nursing Mindset"

Beyond the specific actions above, what nursing offers ordinary people is an even more valuable way of thinking.

Observation Skills: Learn to notice subtle changes in family members. Is an elderly person less alert than usual? Does their complexion look off? Is their breathing slightly rapid? Spotting problems early allows for early intervention.
Prevention First: The best first aid is preventing accidents. Keep floors dry to prevent slips, store medicines out of children's reach, secure hot water bottles... these embody the nursing concepts of "health promotion" and "prevention."
Know Your Limits: Home first aid is about "saving life" and "temporary management," not "curing illness." Our goal is to buy time for professional medical help. After providing care, know when to go to the hospital or call 120/911. When in doubt, call emergency services!

Finally, Two Sincere Suggestions:

Prepare a Home First Aid Kit: Include band-aids, sterile gauze pads, roller bandages, antiseptic wipes, a thermometer, small scissors, medical tape, etc. Keep it in a fixed, easily accessible place at home.
Spend Half a Day Taking a Certified First Aid Course: Such as a Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED course. Practicing CPR and the Heimlich maneuver hands-on is far more valuable than reading countless articles.

Hope this helps! Safety and health are always the best gifts for your family.