Articles

What to do in a First Aid Emergency

09/03/2016

When I first made the career move into Care, my biggest worry was how to cope in an emergency. Since then, I've found the best advice was given in the words of Corporal Jones from ‘Dad’s Army’ who famously said, “Don't panic Mr Mainwaring!” (If you're under 40, best ask your parents about this)

Keeping a cool and calm manner will soothe and reassure your client and help you think clearly too.

There are many emergency situations, but let's cover five of the most common. Before we do, it is important to remind everyone to ensure that there is a first aid box in every placement you work at. It will prove vitally helpful in certain incidents. 

Stroke – 

This possibly brings to mind the frequently played F.A.S.T advert. Can you remember what the acronym stands for?

Symptoms - 

FACE – Any signs of drooping on one side? Can they smile?

ARMS – Are they able to raise their arms and keep them there?

SPEECH – Are they slurring their speech?

TIME – Time to call 999 IMMEDIATELY if any of these signs are visible.

A stroke is a brain attack when there is a change in blood supply. A mini stroke is called a Transient Ischaemic Attack (T.I.A), which has similar signs to a full stroke but usually improves within 24 hours. It also needs to be reported as an emergency as it could be a warning sign of more serious issues. Early diagnosis is vital in preventing future strokes.

Heart Attack – 

Symptoms – May include shoulder/arm pain, stomach pain, indigestion/heartburn, sweating, breathlessness and nausea.

TREATMENT – First and most obvious is to try and relax the client, loosen any tight clothing and administer any prescribed medication. If the pain persists after 3 minutes of taking this, call 999. While waiting, sit and position the client in the most comfortable position.

NB – Every agency will have their own policies on whether a carer is allowed to attempt rescue breaths or chest compressions (CPR), so please check as soon as possible.

Giving CPR will help keep oxygen circulating around the body until help arrives. This can be done when the client is not breathing. 1. Place hands on top of one another and interlock your fingers. 2. Press the heel of the hand in the centre of the chest. 3. Begin performing chest pumps at a depth of around 2 inches down into the chest. 4. Keep up a rhythm of 2 pumps per second until medical help arrives.

Choking – 

If the client can speak, cough or breathe, then the airway is probably only partially blocked. 

TREATMENT - Encourage the client to keep coughing or spit out any objects in the mouth. 

If this is unsuccessful, move to BACK BLOWS. 

1. Stand behind the client and slightly to the side. 2. Lean the person forward and support their chest with one hand. 3. Give up to 5 sharp blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. 4. Check whether the blockage has cleared. 

If not, move to ABDOMINAL THRUSTS. 

5. Stand behind the client and hook your arms around their waist. 6. Lean them forward. 7. Make a fist with your hand and place it just above their belly button. 8. Wrap your other hand around this fist and pull sharply in and upwards. 9. Do this 5 times. 

If their airway is still not cleared, call 999 and continue with the above cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts.

Burns/Scalds – 

TREATMENT – 1. Remove the person from the heat source. 2. Cool the burn immediately under cold, running water for at least ten minutes. 3. Call 999 immediately. 4. While cooling the burn, remove any clothing and jewellery UNLESS it’s stuck to their skin.

NB – If you're cooling a large area, be careful not to cause hypothermia in an elderly client. You may need to stop cooling the area to prevent this.

5. Loosely cover the skin with cling-film or with clean, dry, non-fluffy material. 6. Don't apply any lotions whatsoever to the burn.

Severe Bleeding –

The aim is to minimise blood-loss or shock. 

TREATMENT – 1. Dial 999. 2. Use disposable gloves to reduce the risk of infection. 3. Check for any objects that may have embedded into the wound. If so, be careful not to remove or press on it. Instead, press firmly EITHER SIDE of the object with a clean pad or dressing. 4. If there is no object, apply and maintain pressure using a clean pad or dressing and continue until bleeding stops. 5. Dress the wound with a bandage. If it continues to bleed through, apply pressure again until bleeding stops. 6. Then apply another pad over the top and bandage it again without removing the first dressing. 7. Reduce the blood flow by elevating the area; for example; place a leg on a footrest/cushions or place an arm in a sling etc; 8. Continue to check on whether the bleeding has stopped. 9. If treating for shock, lay them down with their head low and their legs raised and supported.

Please note that these are just basic instructions, and that it is always helpful to research more into emergency First Aid treatments. 


Edited By:

Daniel James
www.danieljamesbio.com
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