PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

Pulse Pulse is the measurement of the number of times the heart beats per minute. As the heart pushes blood through the arteries, the arteries expand and contract with the flow of the blood. Taking a pulse can also indicate the heart rhythm and strength of the pulse. The normal pulse for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. A person’s pulse can be found on the side of the neck, on the inside of the arm, or at the wrist. For most people, it is easiest to take a casualty’s pulse at the wrist. You do this by using your first and second fingertips (do not use your thumb); press firmly but gently on the artery until you feel a pulse and then count the pulse for 60 seconds. Also determine whether the pulse may be described as rapid, strong or weak. Priorities and procedures of first aid management Life-threatening conditions What are the priorities of first aid management when dealing with life-threatening conditions? 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. Aged casualties

HLTAID006 - PROVIDE ADVANCED FIRST AID

HLTAID006 - PROVIDE ADVANCED FIRST AID

Child casualties What are the procedures when providing first aid to children? Often young children have communication difficulties. Sometimes children are unwilling or unable to describe the nature of the illness or injury. Be observant and actively enquire as part of your first aid procedure. Ensure that you communicate clearly with children, ask consent from parent/guardian. If possible have someone monitor your actions, and check for existing conditions the child may have while waiting for EMS to arrive. What are the priorities for calling EMS when providing first aid to children? EMS should not be delayed ( Call First ) if a child has experienced unconsciousness or has an altered conscious state; is experiencing breathing difficulty; is showing signs of shock; is severely bleeding or is vomiting or passing blood; has slurred speech; has injuries to the head neck or back; could have broken bones; or any time you are in doubt. Only when a child has experienced submersion in water do you provide Care First by removing the child from the water as quickly as possible (without endangering your own safety) and administering CPR for a short time (one to two minutes, particularly including rescue breaths) and then you call EMS. After submersion in water avoid delays or interruptions to CPR; do not routinely roll the child over to the side to assess airway and breathing, unless the airway is obstructed (e.g. by water or vomit). The use of an AED and administration of oxygen are beneficial in the resuscitation of nearly drowned children, but resuscitation efforts should not be delayed while waiting for an AED or oxygen equipment to become available. What are the procedures for dealing with major and minor accidents in the workplace? Employees must report any incidents that occur in the workplace to the Workplace Health and Safety Advisor or Workplace Health and Safety Representative (if applicable). These includes: • any incident that has caused an injury to one or more employee, contractor or visitor; • any incident that may give rise to the possibility that an injury may occur; • any perceived hazard; • any near miss incident that has almost caused an injury; • any illness suffered by an employee or another employee that may have been caused by a work-related issue. Every workplace incident, even when considered to be minor, should be investigated by the organisations Workplace Health and Safety Representative (if applicable). The investigation is to determine what factors contributed to the accident and what corrective actions if any, are needed to the workplace to prevent recurrence. The Workplace Health and Safety Representative at the organisation shall consult with all relevant parties and report their findings to the Workplace Health and Safety Committee. A First Aider should be contacted immediately it becomes known that an employee has sustained an injury. The First Aider will attempt to stabilise the employee’s injury and seek professional medical attention where necessary.

What are the procedures for dealing with casualties who are aged? There are no special skills required when dealing with aged casualties in a first aid situation. It is important to remember that the elderly are more susceptible to certain illnesses or injuries, incl. falls which are related to conditions that cause poor balance and can result in hip or other fractures, head injury, circulatory problems (as age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels put the elderly at a greater risk of heart attacks); strokes,; heat and cold related problems (aged people are more likely to have chronic medical conditions that impair temperature regulation). Also remember the possibility that any prescribed medication may disturb temperature balance (therefore it is important to be aware of any prescribed medication the person may be taking). Infirmed casualties What is important to know when dealing with casualties who are infirmed? If a casualty is infirmed or has a pre-existing condition it is important to find out the person’s current medication and dosage, whether it’s been taken as prescribed and if there are any side effects. Check to see if there are any limitations of movement for the casualty and provide EMS with all the information gathered.

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PADI RTO

PADI RTO