IAGC Safety Moment – Basic First Aid Is a Valuable Asset
Sooner or later everyone finds themselves in a situation where they wish they knew more about first aid. It may be because they witness a workplace accident, or are the first to arrive at the scene of a traffic accident. Or it might be because a family member gets hurt and it seems like an eternity before the ambulance arrives.
First aid is a skill everyone can and should develop to the extent to be able to help out in case of an emergency. This does not mean everyone must become a certified Paramedic. But basic knowledge of first aid can be of great value if someone becomes injured or ill.
What is first aid? It is the initial help given to a victim until medical help arrives. If you have ever helped someone by immobilizing a sprained ankle or immersing a burn in cool water, then you have performed some first aid.
By learning first aid, you help make your workplace safer, you improve your ability to save a life and you can prevent a slight injury from becoming serious.
Following are four basic first aid guidelines to remember if you are ever in the situation to help at the scene of an accident:
·Call for qualified help.
·If the person has stopped breathing or if his heart has stopped beating, apply the appropriate rescue breathing or CPR techniques.
·If you have any reason to suspect the person may have suffered injuries to the head, neck or back, do not move him. This is because any movement may cause permanent damage to the brain or spinal cord resulting in permanent injury such as paralysis or possibly death. However, if the victim is in danger of further injury, as in the case of the fire, you may have to move him carefully to safety, keeping the head, neck and back as stable as possible.
·Treat for shock, which can quickly cause death. Keep the victim lying down and warm. Continue to reassure the victim, keeping him as calm and quiet as possible.
Obviously, these guidelines are no substitute for first aid training. But hopefully they can serve as reminders of some of the first aid priorities. Make the effort to obtain first aid training -- you'll be glad you did.
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13-Jan-10
