I must have basic first aid as part of conducting tours etc, but I do not pretend to be a Doctor or Nurse. I would strongly suggest that if you are going to travel that you will feel better equipped after attending a professional basic first aid course prior to leaving. Even if you are not planning on traveling, a lot of accidents happen around the home and you may be called upon to offer some assistance. How would you feel seeing a loved one choking, feinting, bleeding and not knowing what to do about it?
“What is First Aid?”
It is emergency treatment given to the sick or injured, which aims to:
PRESERVE LIFE
The first priority here must be your own. If you put your own life at risk and something happens to you, then you are no longer in a position to be able to assist others. Next all bystanders. Make sure bystanders are not placed in danger as well – you do not want even more “patients”. Once these things are taken care of (which will be only a matter of seconds), then you are in a position to assist the casualty.
PREVENT FURTHER INJURY
Assist the casualty so they do not receive any more harm. Leave the casualty where they are and only move them if they are in danger and it will be safer than leaving them where they are.
PROMOTE RECOVERY
As the first person on the scene offering assistance, obviously you must assess the situation. Your first priority is to help the person to breathe if necessary and then stop bleeding. Call an ambulance or some skilled help and make the casualty as comfortable as possible.
PROTECT THE UNCONSCIOUS
An unconscious person can not help themselves. Make sure the airway is open, otherwise they can not breathe. Turn them into a safe position on their side.
The simple way of remembering first-aid and what to do is DRABCD (Doctor (DR) ABCD).
D – check for DANGER
To you
To others
To casualty
R – check RESPONSE
Is casualty conscious?
Is casualty unconscious?
A – check AIRWAY
Is airway clear of objects?
Is airway open?
B – check for BREATHING
Is chest rising and falling?
Can you hear casualty’s breathing?
Can you feel the breath on your cheek?
C – check for signs of CIRCULATION
Can you see obvious signs of life – any movement, including swallowing and breathing?
Observe colour of skin on face
D – DEFIBRILLATION (heart-starter)
If the person has stopped breathing and you have a defibrillator, try for a re-start.
St John’s provide an excellent First Aid course. To visit their site please have a look here St Johns.
