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"Turn a set back
into a come back."
First Aid
It’s scary to think that one day someone may be in serious danger right before your eyes but it is comforting to know that you would be able to help them if it ever does happen. Many people’s first response to a serious accident or injury would be to call the emergency services but often it’s the first few minutes after an accident that can determine the outcome of the situation. That is why having the knowledge of basic first aid and initial accident response is an essential skill to have.
The important steps to applying basic first aid are extremely easy to remember. All have to do is keep the letters DRSABCD in your head and you are part of the way there. DRSABCD stands for danger, response, send for help, airways, breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CRP) and defibrillation. These 6 steps in order are the things that anyone can do help save someone’s life when done correctly.
Danger:
Danger is the first step and is vital in maintaining your own safety. Before you tend to others it is important to assess the situation and make sure it is safe to help. If it is too dangerous to help then you should nor put yourself at risk. It is more problematic if you put your life in danger as well as the patients.
Response:
Once you reach the patient you need to check if they are responsive. To do this is it best to address them, ask their name, squeeze their shoulders or do anything else that is appropriate to get a reaction. If they are responsive then you may only need to send for help depending on the severity of their condition. If you are waiting for emergency services are important to make sure that the patient remains responsive until help arrives.
If they are not responsive then you must proceed to the next step.
Send for help:
Sending for help is extremely simple. All you have to do is call triple zero (000) or ask someone else around you to do so for you.
Airways:
When dealing with an unresponsive patient you need to check their airways and make sure they are unobstructed. If there is any foreign object inside you must place them in the recovery position and remove it with your fingers. If they are still unresponsive then you must continue to the next step.
Breathing:
You must check to see if the patient if breathing. You can do this by looking at and feeling their chest to check if it is rising. You can also listen to the inhalation and exaltation of them breathing. If they are not breathing then you must commence the next step.
CRP:
If your unresponsive patient is not breathing, CRP is required. CRP should be performed in the form of 30 compressions and 2 breathes in a repetitive cycle. You must continue to perform CRP until health arrives or until a defibrillator is accessible. For a detailed instructions on how to perform CRP, click here
Defibrillation:
If a defibrillator is available you can skip CRP and commence defibrillation. Once you apply the defibrillator it is very easy to use. There are instruction and voice prompts that will guide you until help arrives.
Learning these 6 steps can be the difference between letting someone live or die. If you have this knowledge, even if you are not 100% confident, attempting to apply these steps to someone in need can save their life.
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