Any of the professional security guard companies in Texas want you to be safe – and there are a lot of ways to accomplish that. Your security guards will do everything they can to protect your people and property against criminals and intruders, but they cannot guard against every accident. Everyone, whether they’re a security guard or a civilian, should know some basic first aid so that they can respond effectively to medical situations.
These are some of the tips we teach our guards, and they’re useful for everyone else to know as well!
Important First Aid Safety Tips
1 – Always have a first-aid kit prepared
First aid becomes far more difficult without the right supplies. At the least, your first-aid kit should have:
- Adhesive bandages
- Wrap bandages
- Gauze pads
- Hand sanitizer
- Antibiotic ointments
- Burn ointments
- Pain pills
- Tape
- Tweezers
- EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector), if possible
Also, don’t forget to periodically check the items inside. Most medicines have expiration dates, plus you want to make sure that the sterile items – like the gauze – haven’t been accidentally contaminated.
2 – Apply pressure to bleeding wounds
For a non-serious bleeding wound, such as a puncture, applying pressure is the best thing to do. This will reduce the blood flow. Use a sanitary gauze pad or other sterilized item. For better effect, put some antibiotic cream on the pad so that it will protect against infection.
3 – For muscle sprains, remember RICE
Most minor muscle injuries will heal themselves, but to speed up the process, just remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Keep off the affected muscle as much as possible. Use ice (within an ice pack or wrapped in a towel) for 20 out of every 40 minutes to reduce swelling. Add compression – like an “Ace” wrap bandage – to further reduce swelling. Keep the body part elevated, if possible, to minimize blood flow.
4 – If stung by an insect, look for stingers
Some insects, such as many types of bees, will leave their stingers behind when they attack someone. These stingers need to be removed! Otherwise, besides causing additional pain, they will become an infection risk. Use tweezers but do not squeeze the wound – that can actually push the stinger further in.
Monitor the patient carefully for signs of an allergic reaction. Insect bite/sting allergies can be extremely serious. If they start complaining of difficulty breathing, or a swollen throat or tongue, call 911 immediately. And get an EpiPen ready if you have one.
Stay Safe with MP Security!
MP Security Guard & Patrol is one of the top security guard companies in Texas, with a long history of keeping our customers safe. Contact us to consult on your safety situation.