Think SAFETY!

Nothing replaces taking a live first aid class.

Regardless of the specific issues of each case there are some general commonalities that have to be considered. We have all heard of the Hippocratic Oath that doctors take to “FIRST, do no harm”. Basically don’t make matters worse for the people involved. Along with this prime directive goes the concern for responders to be mindful of their OWN safety. If you get hurt too, you will not be much good to the casualty PLUS you will increase the work load for the people who respond as your back up. The next responders will have to divide their attention between the first victim and you, the newest victim. So your first concern is, ‘is the scene SAFE for me to be here”. If it is not safe for you, you should call for help and prevent others from becoming casualties.

For clarity we will be discussing things in a linier fashion, just keep in mind that many of the steps will actually be happening at the same time and be overlapping. It does take time and practice for you to do these things smoothly.

If the casualty is talking there are a few things that we know right away. Their AIRWAY is clear and they are BREATHING and that they have CIRCULATION – the heart is beating. Circulation has a second part – are the pipes leaking? Are they bleeding anywhere? Bleeding sometimes is more important to deal with than ABC, so in other words instead of the A B Cs it is

C A B Cs.

excerpted from a new book from one of our group members

Ready? OR Not

~

Things WILL happen!

Quick Start Guide