Brief Summary
This video provides a comprehensive guide to first aid, emphasising personal safety, scene management, and mental preparedness. It covers essential steps like assessing the scene, using protective equipment, and maintaining composure in stressful situations. The video also addresses the importance of diversity, empathy, and self-care for first aiders.
- Prioritising personal safety and using PPE.
- Scene assessment and management techniques.
- Mental preparedness and stress management strategies.
- Importance of diversity, empathy, and self-care in first aid.
Maintaining Personal Safety
It's crucial for first aiders to prioritise their own safety before assisting others. Arriving at an emergency scene requires assessing potential hazards like broken glass, fire, or aggressive individuals. Rushing in without caution risks becoming a casualty, hindering the ability to help. Personal safety ensures the first aider can focus on the patient and manage the scene effectively. For example, at a roadside accident, ensure the scene is safe by checking for hazards and wearing high-visibility clothing before approaching the injured.
Scene Safety and Assessment
When arriving at an emergency, first check the scene for safety. Look for hazards such as broken glass, hostile bystanders, and oncoming traffic. Listen for alarms or escaping gas, and smell for gas or smoke. Always use gloves and a barrier device when dealing with a first aid situation. If it is safe, check the person by asking if they are okay and tapping their shoulder if there is no response. Call Emergency Medical Services (EMS) or send a bystander to do so, and remember to tell the bystander to grab an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available.
Checking Airway, Breathing and Circulation (ABCs)
To check the airway, tilt the head back and lift the chin to move the tongue away from the back of the throat. Look at the chest for rise and fall to check for breathing, and listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Check circulation by looking for deadly bleeding and signs of shock, quickly assessing the person from head to toe. Perform a hands-on check, mainly for unconscious people, ensuring the airway will not be compromised.
Secondary Survey and Recovery Position
During the secondary survey, check the head and neck for abnormalities, avoiding pressure on soft spots. Examine the shoulders for bumps or deformities, and feel the ribs for deformity. Gently press on the abdomen to check for hardness. Assess the hips by pushing down and in on the sides of the pelvis, and check the legs and arms for deformities or swelling. After the survey, keep the person comfortable and monitor the ABCs until EMS arrives. If the person is unconscious, move them to the recovery position if the airway is open, they are breathing, there is no deadly bleeding, and no suspected neck or back injury.
Modified Haes Recovery Position
The modified Haes recovery position is used on an unconscious person with a suspected spinal injury who must be left alone or may vomit. The steps involve rolling the person away from you, keeping their head aligned with their spine. This technique provides the benefits of the regular recovery position while protecting the spine.
Scene Management
Effective scene management is critical for first responders. First, check the scene for safety by looking for hazards, listening for warning signals, and using your sense of smell. Ensure personal protection by wearing gloves and using barrier devices to minimise the risk of infection. Approach the patient calmly, ask if they are okay, and gently tap their shoulder if there is no response. If the person doesn't respond, call EMS immediately or instruct a bystander to do so, and retrieve an AED if available.
Airway, Breathing, Circulation and Secondary Survey
Maintain a clear airway by tilting the person's head back and lifting their chin. Check for breathing by looking at their chest, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for airflow. Assess circulation by looking for deadly bleeding or signs of shock. Perform a secondary survey, checking the head and neck, shoulders, chest, hips, legs, and arms for injuries. Maintain comfort and continuously monitor the patient's ABCs, creating a calming environment and avoiding unnecessary movement.
Recovery Position and Spinal Injury Considerations
If the person is unconscious but breathing and there is no suspected spinal injury, move them into the recovery position to maintain an open airway and prevent choking. If a spinal injury is suspected, use the modified Haes recovery position. Always treat a patient as if they have a spinal injury if there is any suspicion, immobilising their head and neck. If the person vomits or you must leave to get help, carefully place them onto their side, keeping their spine straight.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Importance and Types
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital for ensuring safety during first aid, protecting both the first aider and the patient by reducing the risk of infection and injury. Essential PPE includes medical gloves for handling bodily fluids, CPR barriers like face shields or pocket masks, face masks for airborne infections, goggles for splashes, high visibility clothing for poorly lit environments, and overalls or coveralls for full body protection. Head, ear, hand, and foot protection such as helmets, earplugs, and sturdy boots are also important.
CPR Pocket Mask
The CPR pocket mask is an important tool for performing rescue breaths during CPR, providing a protective barrier to prevent cross-infection while ensuring effective ventilation. To use it, remove the mask from its case, expand it, position it over the patient's face creating a seal around their mouth and nose, and deliver rescue breaths using the valve. Work from the side of the patient to maintain an effective seal and be ready to perform chest compressions.
One-Way Valve Face Shield
The one-way valve face shield is a simple, compact tool for delivering rescue breaths during CPR, offering protection against cross-infection. To use it, insert the wide side of the shield into the patient's mouth, seal the shield and pinch the nose, perform a head tilt and chin lift, and deliver two breaths, watching for the chest to rise.
Donning and Doffing Gloves
When wearing PPE, first perform hand hygiene, then pull each glove over the hand, extending the cuff over the sleeves of the gown. To remove the gloves, avoid touching the outside, which is considered contaminated. Grab the cuff of one glove with the other gloved hand using a pinching motion, peel it off inside out, and wad it into a ball. Slide the index finger of the ungloved hand under the cuff of the remaining glove and peel it off inside out. Dispose of the gloves and perform hand hygiene.
Mental Preparedness for First Aiders
Being mentally prepared is crucial for first aiders, as emergencies can be physically and emotionally demanding. Mental preparedness involves training and education, anticipating challenges, seeking support, and focusing on the value of your role. Acknowledge individual limits and understand that it's okay to focus on what you can do.
Handling Stress After Horrific Incidents
After witnessing a horrific incident, it's important to manage stress with compassion and care. Before the incident, be prepared through regular training and mental conditioning. During the incident, stay focused by breaking the situation into simple steps and using controlled breathing. After the incident, allow yourself to heal by talking to someone you trust, participating in debriefing sessions, and practicing self-care. For deeply traumatic events, seek professional help.
Questionnaire Reminder
Complete the questionnaires in your notebook to deepen your understanding of the material covered. Use examples from your manual and your own knowledge to support your answers. Review your answers and identify key areas for improvement.
Answers to the Test on Maintaining Personal Safety
The answers to the test on maintaining personal safety cover topics such as prioritising safety to avoid becoming an additional patient, the purpose of PPE, the correct order of steps when using a CPR pocket mask, and the importance of assessing the scene before providing care. Mental preparation strategies and types of PPE are also reviewed.
Mental Health and Emergency Scenes
Emergency scenes can be mentally and emotionally challenging, potentially leading to post-traumatic stress. Safeguard your mental health through consistent training, seeking support, debriefing after traumatic events, and self-awareness. Remain calm and composed, working within your level of training and expertise, and de-escalate conflicts. Address the bystander effect by giving clear instructions and mobilising bystanders effectively.
Diversity, Respect, and Empathy in First Aid
Embrace diversity with understanding, respect, and empathy. Recognise and respect differences in physical attributes, geographic origins, language, age, health, belief systems, and cultural preferences. Sensitivity ensures individuals feel respected and understood while receiving care. Focus on stabilising and treating the individual without bias or discrimination.
