The 3 principles that a FIRST AIDER must always remember are:
1. PRESERVE LIFE
2. PREVENT WORSENING
3. PROMOTE RECOVERY
These are the main points to consider when dealing with a casualty. When you arrive at the scene, the first thing you will have to do is to manage the incident. Listed below are some points which you will use to manage an incident:
1. Assess the situation
2. Make the area safe (for yourself as well as the casualty and bystanders)
3. Give the casualty Emergency Aid
4. Make sure you have summoned professional help - 999
5. Deal with the aftermath
When deciding which injury or condition should be treated first, you should follow the following guidelines (starting at the most important)
D Danger (Are you or the casualty in any danger? Remove the danger if possible)
R Response (Does the casualty respond to speech, commands or stimuli?)
A Airway (Check it is clear and open)
B Breathing (Check the casualty is breathing by sight, sound and touch)
C (Used to be known as circulation) Signs of Life (Are there any signs of life? Colour, temperature of the casualty etc)
An average adult has approximately 16 breaths per minute ( 1 every 3-4seconds) and 60-80 Heart beats per minute. This should be remembered when giving CPR.
Listed below are some tips on helping a casualty:
1. Make sure the area is safe for you and the casualty
2. Check their response by question and order
“Hello, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?”
If you still have no response, pinch the earlobe gently and watch for a response.
3. Top to toe survey. To check to see if there are any other problems, you will, need to do a top to toe survey. Start at the head, face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen, pelvis, back, arms, hands, legs and finally the feet. You are checking for anything abnormal, signs of further injury etc.
4. If the casualty is breathing Recovery Position. Check A and B on completion and at regular intervals.
If the casualty is unconscious, unable to speak for any reason, you can use the history around you to determine what happened.
1. HISTORY – you may be able to tell what’s happened. For example, if they are wearing a hearing aid, or a diabetic bracelet etc.
2. SIGNS – The signs are what you hear, smell, touch and even taste. These senses can tell a lot of information about the casualty and what may have happened.
3. SYMPTOMS – What the casualty can actually tell you, ie, where it hurts or if they are feeling sick or faint.