Health and Safety Training
The term “first aid” usually refers to the application of some simple accident and emergency techniques by members of the public, rather than medical professionals. This basic but often life-saving care can make a huge amount of difference in the event of a medical emergency, as the actions taken in the first few minutes after an accident but prior to the arrival of trained professionals, can often mean the difference between life and death. It can also be very useful in less life threatening circumstances, as a little knowledge of the correct way to treat common ailments such as cuts and burns can go a long way in limiting the pain and discomfort they cause.
This is obviously a very serious topic and as such, it is important to make absolutely clear; that just as the first aid performed by an informed amateur can dramatically help in a medical emergency, poor first aid decisions made by well-meaning but uninformed bystanders will probably do more harm than good. As such, if you are not confident in your first aid skills or are not sure that you will be taking the correct course of action, it is usually best to do nothing and simply wait for the emergency services, regardless of the inclination we all have to help.
The ABC’s of First Aid
The most basic of first aid protocols is easily remembered with the mnemonic DR - ABC. This stands for the following: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation. This simple mnemonic is at the heart of most modern first aid training courses, as the protocol it represents has been specifically designed to give those who are not medical professionals a template by which to safely approach any first aid situation with confidence. Here is a more detailed description of each stage:
Danger
If an accident has occurred, the immediate area around the injured person may be very dangerous. As such, before even considering the application of first aid, the situation should be assessed for danger to you, to those around you and of course, further danger to the injured individual. Turning an emergency into a crisis by allowing more people to become injured as a result of their desire to help is extremely foolhardy. Nonetheless, it is a very common occurrence, so always remember to make absolutely sure the area is safe before approaching the subject.
Response
It is important to asses if the subjects’ level of consciousness, as they may be able to shed some light on what has happened to them but also, as it will be important information to relay to the medical services. In the first instance, this should always be attempted without touching the subject but by calling their name. If they give no verbal response, check for any eye or limb movement? Finally, if the answer is “no” to all the above, do they respond to touch? It is imperative to avoid further injury however, so if there is even a small chance that they have serious bodily injury, especially back or neck related injuries, touch the subject with the utmost care and only if absolutely necessary. Bear in mind that it is far better to pinch the skin rather than to shake the body or slap the face.
Airway
Checking and if necessary, clearing the airway of an injured individual is very important, regardless of how they came to be injured. It is not uncommon for relatively minor injuries to become life threatening due to the blockage of an airway when unconscious, often by the subject swallowing their tongue. Usually a clear airway can be ascertained by simply looking in the subject’s mouth and throat, then checking that their head is in a suitable position for easy breathing. Should the airway be blocked, you must be very careful not to make things worse but it is important to clear the blockage to prevent asphyxiation. If you are unaware of the correct techniques to do so, it is advisable to take a first aid course.
Breathing
After having confirmed a clear airway, you must check if the subject is capable of breathing independently. Again, it is best to do so passively, without touching the subject. Try placing your cheek or the back of your hand close to their nose and mouth to see if you can feel their breath but bear in mind that this may be very faint. If they are unable to breathe for themselves it may be necessary to assist them with mouth to mouth ventilation. However, it is unwise to attempt this without proper first aid training.
Circulation
In the most serious of first aid situations the subjects’ heart may have stopped beating. To ascertain if this is the case you must check for a pulse. The most common way of doing so for an unconscious person is by feeling the carotid artery on the subjects’ throat. To locate the carotid artery; feel for the Adams’ apple, then move your fingers around to the side of the wind pipe where you should be able to feel the artery. If there is no pulse, it will be necessary to perform chest compressions to assist with the subjects’ circulation. Incorrectly administering chest compressions or administering them when unnecessary can cause serious injury, so seek advice before doing so.
The Recovery Position
Having conducted the initial first aid survey and ascertained that they are stable, you can help keep the injured person comfortable until professional help arrives by putting them in the recovery position. This is recommended for people who have suffered a fit or been knocked unconscious, rather than those who have suffered serious bodily injury, especially to the back or spine.
- Straighten one of the subjects’ arms, so it would be pointing to the sky if they were standing.
- Trying not to twist the neck or spine at all; roll the subject onto their side, so as the arm you have just straightened is closest to the ground. It is often easiest to do this with more than one person.
- Place their head onto that arm (closest to the ground) with their mouth pointing downwards, this should minimise the risk of choking.
- Bend the leg furthest from the ground at the knee (as if they were sitting on a chair) and place that knee on the ground. This will help them to be both stable and comfortable.
- Send for professional help if you have not already done so.
First Aid Dos and Don’ts
As a final thought, here are a few first aid dos and don’ts to remember. You never know when you may need to administer first aid in an emergency situation, so it is wise to be over rather than underprepared. Who knows, you may be lucky enough to never need the knowledge you learn but is that a risk you’re willing to take?
- Do always put your own safety first, as recklessly endangering yourself can have tragic consequences.
- Do always make absolutely sure you will be helping before you take any action, as all too often well-intentioned help can make things worse.
- Don’t move an injured person unless it is 100% necessary
- Don’t give any liquids to injured people, especially if they have abdominal pain. If they complain of thirst, wet their lips with water.
- Don’t ever use a tourniquet (a tight strap or band) to stop bleeding. Always try to apply direct pressure to the wound.
- Do ALWAYS seek professional help if you feel an injury could be more serious than it appears. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
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