What to do in an emergency?

First Aid is the name given to the act of giving basic assistance to someone who has been injured or become suddenly ill. People who are trained in First Aid know exactly what to do when someone has fainted, strained or sprained a muscle or even suffered a burn.

Although it should only be used as a means to assist someone until proper medical assistance arrives, the help that a person fully trained in First Aid gives could help improve an injured person's chances of recovery later on.

BASIC ADVICE ON FIRST AID

Priorities

Your priorities are to:

assess the situation – do not put yourself in danger;
make the area safe;
assess all casualties and attend first to any unconscious casualties;
send for help – do not delay.

Check for a Response

Shake the casualty’s shoulders and ask loudly, ‘Are you all right?’ If there is no response, your priorities are to:

shout for help;
open the airway;
check for normal breathing;
take appropriate action.

There will be instances when you are on your own and are witness to an incident requiring first aid. With mobile phone
coverage or a local telephone landline not readily available, it would be up to you to make a decision as to when to get help.

Airway

To open the airway:

• place your hand on the casualty’s forehead and gently tilt the head back;

• lift the chin with two fingertips.

Breathing

Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds:

• look for chest movement;

• listen at the casualty’s mouth for breath sounds;

• feel for air on your cheek
  

If the casualty is breathing normally:

• place in the recovery position;

• get help;

• check for continued breathing.

If the casualty is not breathing normally:

• get help;

• start chest compressions (see CPR).
  
  

CPR

To start chest compressions:

• lean over the casualty and with your arms straight, press down on the centre of the breastbone 4-5 cm, then release the pressure;

• repeat at a rate of about 100 times a minute;

• after 30 compressions open the airway again;

• pinch the casualty’s nose closed and allow the mouth to open;

• take a normal breath and place your mouth around the casualty’s mouth, making a good seal;

• blow steadily into the mouth while watching for the chest rising;

• remove your mouth from the casualty and watch for the chest falling;

• give a second breath and then start 30 compressions again without delay;

• continue with chest compressions and rescue breaths in a ratio of 30:2 until qualified help takes over or the casualty starts breathing normally.
  
  

Severe bleeding

If there is severe bleeding apply direct pressure to the wound, raise and support the injured part (unless broken).
Finally, apply a dressing and bandage firmly in place.

Broken bones and spinal injuries

If a broken bone or spinal injury is suspected, obtain expert help. Do not move casualties unless they are in immediate danger.

Burns

Burns can be serious so if in doubt, seek medical help. Cool the affected part of the body with cold water until pain is relieved. Thorough cooling may take 10 minutes or more, but this must not delay taking the casualty to hospital. Certain chemicals may seriously irritate or damage the skin. Avoid contaminating yourself with the chemical.

Treat in the same way as for other burns but flood the affected area with water for 20 minutes. Continue treatment even on the way to hospital, if necessary. Remove any contaminated clothing which is not stuck to the skin.

Eye injuries

All eye injuries are potentially serious. If there is something in the eye, wash out the eye with clean water or sterile fluid from a sealed container, to remove loose material. Do not attempt to remove anything that is embedded in the eye.

If chemicals are involved, flush the eye with water or sterile fluid for at least 10 minutes, while gently holding the eyelids open. Ask the casualty to hold a pad over the injured eye and send them to hospital.

Record keeping

If there is time, it is good practice to record any observations involving injuries or illness which you have attended. Include the following information in your entry:

• the date, time and place of the incident;

• the name of the injured or ill person;

• details of the injury/illness and any first aid given.
  
  

Any detailed information may assist health-care professionals to further diagnose the extent of the casualty's injuries.

Source:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg347.pdf

The Health and Safety Executive: Pamphlet INDG347 (Rev1) - Basic Advice on First Aid at Work