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Introduction to F irst AidFirst aid is the immediate care of an injured or ill casualty, using available resources, until medical or other professional assistance arrives. A first aider requires the skills and knowledge to be able to assess an incident scene, prioritise actions, manage casualties (with a range of injuries and illnesses) and provide Basic Life Support or other life saving measures.

In this topic you will learn the fundamentals of first aid. This includes; aims of first aid, roles and responsibilities, legal issues, taking care of yourself and others, standard precautions, an overview of casualty management, sending for help and maintaining first aid kits.

Key topicsLegal issues

Moving the casualty

Sending for help

Standard precautions

Casualty management

First aid kits

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Aims of first aidThe aims of first aid are to:

Introduction to F irst AidSerious and life-threatening injuries and illnesses can occur at anytime, anywhere to anyone. First aid training provides you with the knowledge and skills to give Basic Life Support and other emergency care. Providing immediate and appropriate first aid can save lives.

Where first aid management or medical treatment is beyond a first aider’s level of competence, the first aider should get assistance from trained professionals such as: a paramedic, doctor, or occupational health nurse – and follow their advice.

Preserve life

Prevent further injury

Protect the unconscious

Promote recovery

Provide reassurance

Roles and responsibilitiesAs a first aider your role will depend on the accident scene, the available resources or any workplace policies and procedures. In general, a first aider may be required to:

� Assess the scene

� Call for and assist emergency services

� Provide first aid for injuries and illnesses

� Direct bystanders

� Provide shelter and warmth

� Provide food and fluids (if appropriate)

� Provide reassurance and emotional support

� Report to a supervisor

� Complete injury or illness forms

� Maintain first aid supplies and equipment

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Work Health and Safety (WHS)All Australians have the right to a safe and healthy workplace. Under the various Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, employers must take action to ensure that the workplace is as safe as possible. Certain workplaces are also required to provide access to first aid facilities and trained first aid staff. Many workplaces, therefore, appoint a small number of staff as First Aid Officers who undertake first aid training and take on the responsibility of offering immediate management of injuries or illnesses in their workplace.

Duty of careIn Australia, there is no legal obligation to offer someone first aid unless a duty of care has been established. If you act in paid or voluntary employment as a First Aid Officer, or hold a position which is responsible for the safety of others, you have a duty to provide first aid services to those in your care. This may include your work colleagues, clients, or visitors to your place of work.

Once you start first aid you have a duty to provide care to the best of your ability until your own safety becomes endangered, the casualty no longer requires your assistance, or you have been relieved by a more qualified person.

ConsentConsent is the term used to describe the act of giving permission. Before providing first aid to a casualty you must obtain their consent. If the casualty is unconscious or due to their injury or illness is unable to give consent, their consent is assumed and you should provide first aid. If the casualty is under 18 years of age consent should be sought (wherever possible) from their parent or guardian.

Across Australia there are various laws that protect people who offer assistance in the time of an emergency. These laws usually relate to protecting volunteers and other people who provide first aid in the community setting. These laws aim to ensure that a person who acts in good will to help someone in urgent need is protected from civil liability for something they did (or did not do) when offering their assistance.

[For more information refer to the relevant State or Territory laws].

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Cultural awarenessIt is important for the first aider to respond to the casualty in a culturally aware, sensitive and respectful manner. If you are uncertain about the cultural needs or expectations of the casualty, ask for their advice. When offering first aid you may need to consider differences in language, the use of plain English, gender roles, role boundaries and health care preferences.

Reporting and recordingAll employers are required to keep a register of injuries in the workplace. First Aid Officers must complete relevant workplace records with accurate and factual information whenever they provide first aid. All first aid records should be kept confidential and stored in a secured place.

Gaining consent, maintaining confidentiality and offering reassurance in a culturally aware and respectful manner should be part of every casualty management situation.

Offering reassuranceReassurance is the process of providing information that is comforting, builds trust and increases confidence in your ability to provide first aid. You can offer reassurance by providing the casualty with information about the care you are providing and by letting the casualty know when professional help is on its way. Through offering reassurance you can greatly assist in reducing fear and anxiety. In some circumstances bystanders may also require reassurance that the situation is under control.

ConfidentialityWhen offering first aid it is important that you keep any information confidential. Information about the nature of the accident or the condition of the casualty should only be conveyed to emergency services and/or the workplace supervisor.

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Assisting with medicationSome people with health conditions need to take medications as part of their first aid. Any delays in accessing and using their medication can make their situation worse or in some cases, life-threatening.

The laws controlling who can administer medication vary with each State and Territory. In a medical emergency, the best advice is to provide assistance with self-medication as per the casualty’s instructions. Any assistance with medication should be done in line with State or Territory legislation, workplace policies and any available medical or pharmaceutical instructions.

In any first aid situation it is essential that you take precautions to ensure your own safety and the safety of others. In some first aid situations there may be the potential risk of injury or illness to the first aider or bystanders. Risks of injury or illness may result from:

� Exposure to blood and other body substances � Acts of aggression � An unsafe scene, for example: oncoming traffic in a road accident � Bystanders placing themselves and others at risk of injury � Moving objects causing back, neck or shoulder injuries � Presence of smoke, fire or poisonous fumes � Emotional trauma after an event.

Taking Care of Y ou rself a nd Others

Tips for taking care of yourself and others

� Always assess for danger and make sure the area is safe

� Use standard precautions [see page 10]

� Do not unnecessarily move the casualty

� Observe and manage bystanders

�Where required, seek counselling or debriefing after the incident

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Standard PrecautionsStandard precautions are a set of guidelines that aim to protect people from accidental exposure to blood or other body substances. Standard precautions include wearing gloves when in contact with blood or other body substances, and washing your hands before and after treating a casualty.

General principlesWhen appropriate and wherever possible:

�Wear gloves

� Use other personal protective equipment such as face shields, masks or goggles

� Encourage the casualty to treat themselves, for example, apply pressure to their own bleeding wound

� Dispose of waste materials and sharps in the correct container

� Avoid injuries to yourself, for example: cuts from broken glass

�Wash your hands with soap and water or waterless hand wash.

Exposure to blood and other body substances Care of the person exposed to blood or other body substances:

�Wash affected skin surfaces with soap and water (do not use soap or waterless solution to wash eyes or mouth)

� If eyes are contaminated, rinse thoroughly with water or saline, making sure the eyes are kept open during the rinsing

� If blood or other body substances get in the mouth, spit them out and rinse the mouth with water several times

� If clothing is contaminated, remove clothing and shower

� Follow any other workplace policies, seek medical advice, and attend any follow up treatment or monitoring.

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Moving the casualty should be avoided in most circumstances. This is especially true if the casualty has sustained any obvious or potential injuries to the head, neck, back or spine. Moving the casualty unnecessarily may cause further injuries to the casualty. For example, when moved, the sharp edges of a broken bone can cut through muscle, blood vessels and nerves.

Incorrect lifting or moving techniques can result in severe back, neck and shoulder injuries for the first aider. Moving the casualty should take place if you are unable to provide life saving measures in the current position or if there are any immediate threats to life.

Do not remove motorbike helmets unless for life saving measures.

Motorbike accident

Motorbike helmets prevent injury and can provide support to the head, neck and spine. Helmets should only be removed to maintain an open airway or to provide CPR. If the helmet must be removed it is better if this is done by a paramedic or other trained person.

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Casua lty Management OverviewThe following flow chart provides an overview of the various stages and processes involved in the management of a first aid situation.

*Note: In some circumstances it may not be appropriate to clean an accident scene. If in doubt, check with the emergency services personnel.

� Assess the scene and make sure it is safe to approach.

� Gather immediate impressions and information.

� Gain consent before providing any assistance.

Initial approach

� Use DRS ABCD to conduct an initial assessment.

� Determine if any life-threatening situations exist.

� Give Basic Life Support or other life saving measures.

Prioritise DRS ABCD

� If required, call Triple Zero (000) at the earliest stage.

� If needed, shout for help or send someone else for help.Send for help 000

� Look for and manage injury or illness.

� Provide reassurance.

� Assess for and manage shock.

� Continue to monitor the casualty’s airway, breathing and general condition.

Secondary assessment

� Hand over information to the emergency services team.

� Advise workplace supervisor of incident details.

� Complete any necessary workplace reports.

Communicate details

� Clean up the scene.* � Restock first aid kits and supplies.

� Evaluate your own performance.

� Seek counselling / debriefing as required.

Finalise the incident

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