In an emergency, the instinct to help is immediate. But well-intentioned first aid that is based on outdated advice or common misconceptions can sometimes cause more harm than doing nothing. Here are the mistakes that emergency physicians see most often. Tilting the head back during a nosebleed: Leaning the head back causes blood to flow down the throat, which can cause nausea, vomiting, or aspiration. The correct approach is to lean slightly forward and apply firm pressure to the soft part of the nose for ten minutes without releasing.

Putting butter or toothpaste on a burn: Both trap heat in the skin and increase the risk of infection. Run cool water over a burn for at least ten minutes. Nothing else should be applied before medical assessment.

Removing an embedded object from a wound: An object lodged in a wound may be helping to control bleeding. Removing it can cause rapid blood loss. Stabilise the object in place and get to an emergency department immediately.

Moving someone after a fall or accident: If a spinal injury is possible, moving the person can cause permanent paralysis. Keep them still and call for emergency services unless they are in immediate life-threatening danger where staying put is worse.

Giving water or food to an unconscious person: An unconscious person cannot protect their airway. Anything given by mouth can enter the lungs.

Good first aid starts with knowing what not to do. When in doubt, call emergency services and follow their instructions rather than improvising.

By Dr. Jillella Shiva Ranjan Reddy
Consultant – Emergency Medicine
KIMS Hospitals, Electronic City