Certain mistakes made when administering First Aid

• Not knowing what you are doing:
  If you don't know what you are doing, you can end up doing more harm than good so the best thing should be that you call for help and be guided by a professional if you are not sure of what to do.

• Treating a burn too quickly:common mistake people make in this area is to run water on the affected skin area for a few seconds or couple of minutes expecting result.
  
  In other for treating of burns on skin to be effective, you need to run the water on the affected skin area for at least 20 minutes or more. Running the water for this long on the affected area will help cool the skin especially if the heat from the burn has gone beyond the first layer of the skin.

• Leaning back while bleeding from the nose:
  Leaning back while bleeding from nose can make blood travel from your nose to your throat which means you could find yourself choking on or swallowing blood. Swallowing blood can further lead to vomiting.
  
  Rather than leaning backwards it is better you apply steady pressure to the bridge of your nose for at least 20 minutes, you will have to breath through your mouth but you will safely stop the bleeding.

• Putting something in a seizing person's mouth:
  Most people will immediately try to block the mouth of a seizure patient for fear that the victim will bite their tongue. Another mistake is trying to restrain the person's, rather than this, it is better you turn the person over to the side, helping them breathe better, clear the area of any dangerous objects so the victim will not get hurt further. Also, allow the seizure to take it course as most seizures only last for not more than 5 minutes, so you can stay calm but if it goes beyond that time, then you need to seek help quickly.

• Asking a fainted person to sit up:
  Most times when someone faint, our cause of action is asking them to sit up. This is wrong and it's better you start by checking their breathing and pulse. If the breathing and pulse is ok, leave them on the ground, elevate their legs about 12 inches that is 30 cm. loosing any tight clothing as well. Once they regain consciousness, don't ask or rush them to stand up as this can cause them to faint again.

• Giving or prioritizing mouth to mouth resuscitation for heart attack victims:The first step always should be: call for help (dial emergency number) when it comes to cardiac conditions before proceeding to chest compression (CPR).
  
  Even if the victim ain't breathing, this can double the chance of the person's survival. So when you see someone collapse around you, draw you focus on chest compression before you go the face. The American Heart Association (AHA) updated their cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) recommendations, advising bystanders to help with "Hands-Only" CPR as chances of survival fall 7% every minute if no first aid is given.

• Giving a choker heimlich:The red cross has updated their guidelines on how to give first aid to choking victims instead of going straight into the Heimlich maneuver, you stand behind the victim, lean them forward and give them 5 quick blows at their back with the heel of your hand only when this does not work can you follow up with the Heimlich maneuver by administering 5 quick abdominal thrusts and keep doing it until the airway is clear.

• Trying to remove debri from your skin or body:When an external object pierces into your skin, most often people are tempted to remove the object from the skin immediately.
  
  If you underestimate how deep the wound is or you use an un-sterile tool, you risk getting an infection and doing further damage. It is rather better to hold on for a professional or you use a clean or sterile tool.

• Debris in Eyes:
  If it happens that the debris is in your eyes, it is better to close your eyes, put a piece of gauze over it and head to the hospital.

• Putting heat on a sprain or fracture:It is recommended that you use ice for such situations while heat should be use for chronic situation like back pain. When you use heat on a sprain or fracture, it increases blood flow, thereby leading to much swelling. Always use ice at first, it will reduce any swelling, bruising and muscle spasm.