PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

For fixed-wing aircraft you will need an area to act as the runway; this needs to be at least 1km long and 30-40m wide and must be smooth and firm, without scrub and rocks. As wind direction is essential to pilots you may use a windsock or fire to indicate direction. A night landing requires lighting – for this you will need flares, kerosene soaked rags in metal tins or toilet rolls soaked in diesel fuel; place a double set of flares paced evenly every 90 meters on each end of the runway. For ambulances or other road emergency service vehicles: if your vehicle has broken down it is important to remember that you stay with it and call for help. You will need to evaluate your water, food and equipment supplies and seek shelter. Use a space blanket or emergency beacon (EPIRB) to attract attention. With water vessels, asses the situation (Stop, Think, Act), wear lifejackets or use other available floating devices and call for help on a marine radio; use the following distress signal – MAYDAY or Urgency signal – PAN PAN. You can also use Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), flares and smoke, signal using a torch, heliograph or mirror, a ‘V’ Distress Sheet (fluorescent orange-red sheet with black letter ’V’). Only move a casualty if in danger and continue the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS) whilst waiting for help to arrive. When should you access emergency response services? A remote area is one where medical care is more than one hour away. You need to evaluate the situation by reviewing the response categories; these include any immediate danger for yourself, others or any casualty (is emergency medical assistance required as soon as possible, is emergency medical advice required but not urgent enough for evacuation?) along with reassurance for yourself, others and any casualty and monitoring the casualty’s condition. How should you access emergency response services? Emergency response services can be accessed either by mobile or satellite phone or by radio - which includes High Frequency radio (HF), Citizen Band radio (CB) or VHF radio (Channel 16) - or radio distress beacons which include Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). When accessing emergency responsive services it is important you inform them of the nature of the emergency, location of incident, date and time of incident, distance from nearest town or landmark, number of casualties, suspected nature and severity of injuries and any special hazards.

HLTAID005 - PROVIDE FIRST AID IN REMOTE SITUATIONS

HLTAID005 - PROVIDE FIRST AID IN REMOTE SITUATIONS

What communication systems, equipment and methods are available in remote situations?

SOS (Safe Our Souls) consists of 3 short, 3 long, 3 short signals - basically any signal repeated three times. This can be transmitted visually using flares, fire & smoke (potential hazard), three fires built in triangle or straight line, a flashing light, bright coloured markers, mirrors and other reflective devices, or by constructing SOS with clothes, logs or rocks, or you could use a ‘V’ Distress Sheet. An audible SOS signal can also be transmitted, for example by using a whistle.

Priorities in an emergency What are the priorities of management in first aid when dealing with life-threatening situations? Early recognition is a key step in initiating early management of an emergency situation. In all emergencies, the rescuer should assess the situation quickly to ensure safety for the rescuer, any casualty and bystanders (this may mean moving the casualty) and send for help (call EMS). If the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing normally, remember the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS). Where there is more than one casualty, the care of an unconscious casualty has priority. Environment-specific considerations What are specific considerations contextualised to the following environments? Alpine environment Before the trip, consider the risk of driving on alpine roads, adequate clothing and other protection for skin, head (helmet) and eyes, as well as adequate provision of water and food. Also review fitness levels along with equipment requirements. In case of an emergency remember the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS), seek shelter, stay warm, rehydrate and get help – make yourself visible. Desert environment Before the trip, consider checking weather forecasts. During the trip, keep everyone well hydrated, be sun smart, let someone know where you go, be aware that mobile phone coverage is not reliable and carry alternative communication equipment, choose the right gear, stick to defined walking trails. When driving service your vehicle and check road conditions. In case of an emergency remember the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS), seek shelter, protect from sun, rehydrate and get help – make yourself visible. Marine environments Before the trip, consider safety equipment such as anchors, bailers or bilge pumps, EPIRBs, flares, fire extinguishers, radios and life jackets. Review first aid procedures for seasickness, hypothermia and venomous marine life injuries. Types of marine emergencies: capsizing, sinking, grounding, breakdown, fire and collisions. In case of an emergency remember the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS), send a distress signal, stay warm and rehydrate – make yourself visible.

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PADI RTO

PADI RTO