first aid at school - Page 2

jambutty · 07-10-2007, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Ber, can I ask your professional opinion about 'cardiac pulmonary rescucitation' and the other things on the list in the petition - is it always going to be beneficial or is it ever possible that someone could do more harm than good? I know I'm probably just being devil's advocate here but I've heard of cases where someone has been moved and more damage been done such as a spinal injury being put into the 'recovery position' and the person ending up permanently paralised. The last person who spoke to us about first aid (at church) said that tilting someone's head back to give mouth to mouth could result in damage to the neck and removing a crash helmet could be dangerous for them. It just seems like such a minefield.

If a person is in a burning car and it looks like they might have damaged their neck or back would you leave them to burn or get them out and risk further damage?

Obviously you get them out and hope for the best unless the fire is a small one and you have the means of extinguishing it.

One of the first lessons that are taught in First Aid is not to move the person unless you are SURE that in doing so you will not cause further injuries or their life is in danger if they are to be left where they are.

You only put a person into the recovery position if they are unconscious and you HAVE TO leave them unattended. Otherwise you sit by and watch and listen to their breathing and monitor their pulse.

If a person has stopped breathing you have to remove the helmet unless you can devise some other way to get air into their lungs. It’s no good worrying about the possible consequences of removing the helmet whilst the victim is not breathing.

If a person is drifting in and out of consciousness and their head tends to droop forward you can make a neck brace out of a newspaper or hold the head back yourself.

If a person has burned their hand and the skin has been broken, put it into a plastic bag and seal it around the arm before immersing in cold water. If a person has burned their arm or leg and the skin has been broken, wrap the burned area with cling film. Infection can do a lot more damage than the burn itself. If the skin has not been broken just cool it. The blister that forms is the body’s way of protecting the flesh.

First Aid isn’t about rushing around with bandages, splints and defibrillators but about keeping the victim alive until professional help arrives.

Mr Aleks · 07-10-2007, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

If a person is in a burning car and it looks like they might have damaged their neck or back would you leave them to burn or get them out and risk further damage?.

Sounds abit dangerous to me. Id consult a health and safety type person first.

WillowTheWhisp · 07-10-2007, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

If a person is in a burning car and it looks like they might have damaged their neck or back would you leave them to burn or get them out and risk further damage?

I wonder what the PCSOs are told to do in such circumstances? Would they be told not to endanger themselves by going into a burning car? I can't help wondering in light of recent events.

jambutty · 08-10-2007, 13:14

If, in a rescue situation, you are putting yourself in mortal danger to expedite the rescue then you don’t attempt a rescue. You do not add to the casualties by making yourself one. It is a decision that each potential rescuer has to make for him or herself at the time.

As a qualified lifeguard that I was, I wouldn’t attempt a life saving rescue in a river or lake etc. today because I know I would not be able to carry out the mission successfully and only put myself at risk and would need rescuing myself, thus putting someone else in a dangerous situation.

As I stated before First Aid isn’t just about knowing what to do but also about knowing what NOT TO DO and WHEN NOT TO DO IT.

Mr Aleks · 08-10-2007, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

If, in a rescue situation, you are putting yourself in mortal danger to expedite the rescue then you don’t attempt a rescue. You do not add to the casualties by making yourself one. It is a decision that each potential rescuer has to make for him or herself at the time.

As a qualified lifeguard that I was, I wouldn’t attempt a life saving rescue in a river or lake etc. today because I know I would not be able to carry out the mission successfully and only put myself at risk and would need rescuing myself, thus putting someone else in a dangerous situation.

As I stated before First Aid isn’t just about knowing what to do but also about knowing what NOT TO DO and WHEN NOT TO DO IT.

Dont believe you. Prove it.

Neil · 08-10-2007, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

If a person is in a burning car and it looks like they might have damaged their neck or back would you leave them to burn or get them out and risk further damage?

Obviously you get them out and hope for the best unless the fire is a small one and you have the means of extinguishing it.

One of the first lessons that are taught in First Aid is not to move the person unless you are SURE that in doing so you will not cause further injuries or their life is in danger if they are to be left where they are.

As a certified Lancashire Ambulance First Aider the first thing you do is not to put yourself in danger or else there could be two casualties.

So if a person is in a burning car you have to decide if you will be putting yourself at risk by getting them out.

jambutty · 09-10-2007, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

As a certified Lancashire Ambulance First Aider the first thing you do is not to put yourself in danger or else there could be two casualties.

So if a person is in a burning car you have to decide if you will be putting yourself at risk by getting them out.

I do believe that I stated that in post #19.

But many thanks for reinforcing the point.

WillowTheWhisp · 09-10-2007, 15:23

So if in the situation where you asked:"If a person is in a burning car and it looks like they might have damaged their neck or back would you leave them to burn or get them out and risk further damage?" my answer was "I would be terrified of the burning car and too much of a coward to try to get them out." would I be sensible for not getting myself into danger or be condemned for not having helped the person who may subsequently have burned to death?

I honestly have no idea what I would do in such a situation because I have never faced it and until I do I don't know how I'd react. I suppose if it was someone I knew and loved then my own fear would be surpassed by my instinct to save them. That's why people try to get back into burning buildings isn't it, and firemen have to hold them back.

Unless it ever happens I won't know, and I sincerely hope it never does happen.