Overview
This lecture covers first aid principles, equipment, emergency procedures, and the importance of emergency preparedness in the workplace, emphasizing practical application and exam focus areas.
First Aid Principles & Procedures
- First aid is the skilled application of accepted treatment principles during injury or sudden illness.
- Steps: assess the situation, identify casualty condition, provide immediate treatment, and arrange for a doctor.
- Untrained personnel should not administer first aid; identify emergencies and follow procedures.
- Emergency procedures include staying calm, ensuring personal safety, and calling for help.
Types of Emergency Situations
- Emergencies include accidents, illnesses, fires, floods, and chemical contamination.
- Accidents are unforeseen events, often caused by negligence.
- Illness involves poor health or sudden sickness.
- Fires and floods require specific evacuation and safety steps.
- Chemical spills involve hazardous substances and need cautious handling using hazard labels.
Emergency Assessment & Priorities
- Survey the scene for safety hazards like gas, fire, or collapsing buildings.
- Prioritize treatment for life-threatening injuries.
- Use the COWS acronym to assess consciousness: Can you hear me, Open your eyes, What is your name, Squeeze my hand.
- Apply the ABC principle: check Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.
Vital Signs & Recovery Position
- Vital signs include consciousness, breathing (speed, noise, rhythm), and pulse (speed, strength, rhythm).
- ABPU scale: Alert, Response to Voice, Pain response, Unresponsive.
- Place unconscious casualties in the recovery position to keep airways clear and prevent choking.
Emergency Plans & Procedures
- Emergency plans should cover risks like armed robbery, bombs, fire, flooding, and power outages.
- Procedures must include safe exits and staff awareness.
- Hazardous chemical labels (haz chem) provide emergency information.
First Aid Equipment
- Every workplace should have a stocked first aid box with items suitable for likely injuries.
- Hospitality workers should have burn dressings and gels available.
Specific First Aid Treatments
- Learn procedures for CPR, treating fractures, preventing/treating burns, cuts, falls, strains, electrical shocks, fainting, allergic reactions, and choking.
- Follow prevention and treatment guidelines for workplace accidents.
Backup Services & Reporting
- Call backup services like police, fire, ambulance, and disaster management immediately.
- Communicate casualty’s age, gender, and vital information clearly to responders.
- Accurately document and report all emergency incidents.
Key Terms & Definitions
- First Aid — Immediate assistance given for injury or sudden illness before medical help arrives.
- ABC — Airway, Breathing, Circulation; priorities in first aid.
- COWS — Consciousness check: Can you hear me, Open your eyes, What is your name, Squeeze my hand.
- Recovery Position — Lying position to keep airways open for unconscious people.
- Haz Chem Labels — International labels on hazardous chemicals providing emergency information.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review first aid treatments: CPR, fractures, burns, cuts, falls, electrical shock, fainting, allergies, choking.
- Study hygiene legislation in chapters 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 15, and 16.
- Ensure understanding of emergency plans and first aid equipment.
- Prepare for the upcoming test using the subject guide.