PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

the exit points. If too many people enter the mosh pit area and move towards the stage, the contingency response may include moving security staff to both stop more people entering the mosh pit as well as ensuring established exit points are kept clear to move people away from the front of the stage area. However, if the crowd forces spectators to the ground and people are injured, then a critical incident has occurred and this will require a response that moves beyond the authority of the event personnel. First aid, ambulance and other emergency services may need to be included in the response to a critical incident. The involvement of higher authorities will also apply if the law is broken at an event. Illegal entry to the event, service of alcohol to minors, illegal sale and consumption of drugs, assault and theft are just some of the illegal activities that will require a police response. If the event is at high risk of these activities, then a police presence is required for both preventative reasons and for the contingency response. The following table shows an example of a contingency procedure plan for a medical incident in which the incident is escalated to emergency services. Order of events/actions Responsibility Injury occurs and is assessed by First Aid. Assessment determines further medical assistance is required. First Aid First Aid contacts Emergency Services and advises the situation. First Aid First Aid contacts the Event Manager to advise the situation that has occurred. First Aid Ambulance arrives and liaises with First Aid and the Event Manager. Emergency Services (Ambulance/Police) Ambulance completes the medical requirements and departs with the patient. Emergency Services (Ambulance) Event Manager along with First Aid to fill in a detailed ‘Event incident report’. Event Manager and First Aid Event Manager speaks with any media who arrive at the event. Event Manager Event Manager follows through after the event with any further documentation/ action required. Event Manager Requirements may also be included for follow up of critical incidents including: Event manager contacts hospital to check patient’s condition Event Manager Event manager advises event team on patient’s condition (when appropriate) Event Manager Contingency planning for first aid As with all workplaces, every event is different and has different requirements and services can include provision of: • First aid kits • First aid room or tent • Paramedics, ambulance on site • Doctors on site. Events often utilise a temporary service, such as St John Ambulance, to assist with first aid. Major event venues generally have dedicated facilities (and parking) for all types of emergency services. Event sites may require temporary facilities (often a tent or a marquee) and consideration must be given for emergency service access. Contingency planning for first aid should include the development of procedures both for a ‘contingency response’ which will include responses to minor incidents and for a ‘critical incident’ which will include responses to emergency situations that may be life-threatening. Written procedures for first aid may cover such things as:

• Communication — how and who is to control • Responsibilities for action • Workplace/event layout showing first aid locations • First aid — at scene • Medical rooms — support for First Aiders, including medical supplies and equip- ment • Response — how staff and contractors should react • Triage — handling multiple casualties • Liaison with emergency services — someone should be nominated as contact per- son • Equipment, resources available —where they are located and how to use them. Other details may be developed as part of an evacuation plan and could include: • Spills (chemical/hazardous waste) —who to contact and how to contain the spills • Evacuation —who directs it and at what stage • Workplace/event layout showing assembly areas and emergency equipment loca- tion • Assembly areas — locations of these areas as well as alternatives. The development of a contingency response for first aid incidents will depend on the critical nature of the situation. Issues you will need to consider include: • The type of work performed, or audience activities and the nature of the hazards • Potential injuries/illnesses and likely causes • The number and distribution of employees and others (contractors, event partici- pants) on the event site • The size and layout of the event (access) • The location of the event (i.e. ‘isolated’). Consideration of these factors will help an event organiser to determine the nature and location of the first aid facilities and the number of trained first aid personnel who are required for that particular workplace; especially when the workplace is outdoors and located at a temporary venue. Other factors that may need to be considered in planning documents include: 1. The level of on-site medical care that may be required given the nature of the event 2. The mix of medical personnel that will be required, for example first aid personnel, paramedics 3. Who will provide the medical personnel and how will this be funded (some organi- sations are voluntary) 4. How event first aid services will be integrated with the local health services 5. How first aid facilities will be easily accessible and clearly identified to patrons 6. If an ambulance will be required on site or called as required 7. If medical vehicles have ingress and egress (access) to the site 8. If medical vehicles and staff will require accreditation to enter the site via security check points 9. How medical supplies will be stored and re-stocked on site. Finally, you will need to consider the communication process in the case of a first aid incident. This process involves how incidents will be: • Communicated and reported (chain of command) • Recorded (incident report forms) • Monitored and responses evaluated (WHS meetings, log books, reports)

HLTAID008 MANAGE FIRST AID SERVICES AND RESOURCES

HLTAID008 MANAGE FIRST AID SERVICES AND RESOURCES

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PADI RTO

PADI RTO

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