HEYBRIDGE COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS
BE PREPARED FOR AN
EMERGENCY
CALLING FOR HELP
If the condition of a patient
is causing you concern and you are not sure whether to call an ambulance
then it may be best to speak to
NHS Direct
0845 4647
available 24 hours a day. Medically trained staff
will advise you and they will call an ambulance if necessary.
Some incidents require immediate action. In such cases, do not hesitate, dial 999. Using a landline provides ambulance control with an immediate location for you so that an ambulance can be sent more quickly. If you have to use a mobile telephone and you have any difficulty making the call, try dialling 112 instead. This is the standard emergency number throughout Europe and it will make best use any networks available to your telephone.
Speak to the casualty. Give a firm instruction "open your eyes". If there is no response, gently shake the shoulders. If the casualty still fails to respond then shout for help.
The danger with an unconscious casualty is that the
))
tongue can block the airway. To prevent this, place your hand on the
forehead and two fingers below the chin then gently tilt the head
backwards))
.
Put your cheek near the mouth and feel for
breathing. Watch the chest for movement. If the casualty is breathing,
support the head, lift the far knee, and roll the casualty towards you
into the recovery position. The head should be tilted backwards and
supported by the patient's hand. Dial 999.THE 999 CALL
Try to stay calm. The person who takes your call has a procedure to follow. This ensures that you get the appropriate help as quickly as possible. An emergency vehicle, and possibly a First Responder, is being sent to you whilst you are still talking to the controller. Ensure that you give sufficient details of your location that you can be easily found. If possible, get someone to look out for the ambulance or First Responder and direct them to the patient.
Continue to speak to ambulance control as long as necessary. They will help you to give first aid to the patient until help arrives. It is useful if you are near the patient when you are talking to ambulance control.
CHEST PAINS
Serious chest pains may be an indication of a problem
with the heart, though there are many other possible causes. Other signs
and symptoms that may be associated with a heart attack are:
breathlessness
discomfort like indigestion
sudden faintness or collapse
ashen skin, blueness around the lips
rapid pulse, weakening later
profuse sweating
a sense of impending doom
If you suspect a heart attack, dial 999 without delay. Conscious
patients are usually most comfortable in a sitting position, with the
head and shoulders supported and the knees raised. The patient may have
medication to take. Unconscious casualties should be placed in the
recovery position if breathing.
NOT BREATHING
Check for evidence of breathing
for no
))
more
than 10 seconds. If the casualty is not breathing dial 999 immediately.
You now need to start CPR.
The casualty needs to be lying on their back on the floor. Kneel
alongside the patient, grip your hands together and place the heel of
one hand in the centre of the patient's chest, midway
))
between
the nipples. Keeping your arms straight, lean forward to depress the
breast bone by 4 - 5 cm. Release the pressure and repeat for a total of
30 times at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
ASTHMA
Asthma is a common condition that is normally well controlled by medication. An asthma attack causes difficulty breathing, especially exhaling. There is likely to be wheezing and difficulty speaking. The skin may appear grey-blue. The patient may feel exhausted and eventually may lapse into unconsciousness.
Help the casualty to find a comfortable position, usually sitting and leaning forward onto a firm support. Keep calm and offer reassurance. The casualty is likely to have a reliever inhaler, which is usually blue. Encourage this to be used. It should have an effect within minutes. Another dose may be taken after 3 minutes, if necessary. Encourage the patient to breath slowly and deeply. If there is no improvement after 5 minutes, or if the condition worsens, dial 999 for an ambulance.
SEVERE BLEEDING
The priority in cases of severe bleeding is to reduce the loss of blood. This can be achieved quickly.
Direct pressure - apply firm
pressure to the wound, preferably over a sterile dressing or non-fluffy
pad. Take care if any objects are embedded in the wound.
Elevation - raise the injured part above
the level of the patient's heart and support it in this position.
Lay down - Lay the casualty down and raise
the legs to reduce the effects of shock.
Dressing - Apply a sterile dressing firmly
over the wound. If blood seeps through, apply a second dressing on top.
Serious bleeding needs hospital treatment.
Wear surgical gloves to treat bleeding if you have them.
RESCUE BREATHS
After completing 30
chest compressions, tilt the head))
backwards, pinch the nose firmly, take a full breath, seal your mouth
securely around the patient's lips and blow gently for about 2 seconds,
watching for the chest to rise. Take your mouth away and take another
breath as you watch for the chest to fall. Repeat this procedure once
more. If you do not see the chest rise and fall then check that you are
sealing the nose effectively, that you have a good seal around the
patient's mouth, and that the head is tilted well backwards, then try
again. After two rescue breaths do another 30 compressions and continue
to repeat this cycle until help arrives.
LEARN FIRST AID
This page covers just a few of the emergency situations you might encounter. More information is given on the first aid page of this web site, where you will also find links to some interactive first aid tutorials. Time spent learning how to handle a variety of injuries and conditions could be invaluable if you are ever faced with an emergency, possibly involving your own family.
Books and web sites can provide information about recognising and treating various conditions but much of first aid involves practical skills. These need to be practised and perfected. Take any opportunity you can to enrol on a course to learn these skills. Many employers, for example, will encourage you to take a one day Appointed Persons course.
