Medical Emergencies
This month I want to focus on medical emergency situations. As a registered Nurse, this month I attended my yearly update on resuscitation and anaphylactic shock. I was amazed when the tutor pointed out how many of the public did not have any idea on how to deal with potential injuries. There are many amazing organisations out there that can help you give basic first aid, if your loved ones, friends or work colleagues needed it.
First Aid Training
British Red Cross www.redcross.org.uk 0844871111
St. John’s Ambulance www.sja.org.uk 08447704800
British Heart Foundation www.bhf.org.uk
NHS choice www.nhs.uk advice and online videos on basic life support and first aid
Knowing what to do in any medical emergency is crucial, it can limit the damage and severity of the injury and potentially save lives. Here are some common scenarios and what to do.
Burns and Scalds
– Firstly flood the area with cold water for a minimum of 10 minutes
If you are able remove clothing to the affected area and jewellery, but don’t pull off, if it peels away easy, then cover with a dressing
Go straight to Accident and Emergency
If it’s a very large burn or scald and the person has gone into shock call 999 immediately
Blackouts, Fits or Electrical Shocks
– Check that they are breathing firstly
– Do not move them until help arrives
– Call 999 right away and let the operator talk you through what to do depending on what’s happening to them
Shock
– Does the person look pale, dizzy, have low blood pressure, rapid pulse, sweating or faintness – these can all be signs of shock
– Help them to lie flat with their legs raised, loosen tight clothing and keep them warm with a coat or blanket
– Call 999
Head Injury
– If someone complains of seeing stars and has a painful swelling or bruising to the scalp area, apply an ice pack or cold compress
– However any loss of consciousness, drowsiness, confusion, vomiting or severe headache could indicate a brain injury
Call 999
Eye Injuries
– Carefully wash out any specks in the eye with a jug of clean water for a minimum of 10 minutes if it’s a chemical Injury, be sure to protect the surrounding skin and other eye
– Go straight to Accident and Emergency
Choking
– The casualty will have difficulty breathing, speaking or coughing, encourage them to cough hard firstly
– If they can’t, get them to bend forward, if it’s an infant lay them face down along your forearm and use the heel of your hand to deliver five firm blows between the shoulder blades. Next check the mouth to see if the object has been dislodged, don’t sweep inside the mouth too much. Then repeat for an infant. In the case of an adult stand behind them with your fist over their upper tummy, below the breastbone. With your other hand force your fist sharply upwards and inwards five times. In the case of infants turn them over and use two fingers over their lower breastbone instead
– Call 999 immediately and continue this emergency first aid until help arrives.
Basic life support for non breathing adult casualty
Unresponsive?
Shout for help
Open airway
Not breathing normally?
Call 999
30 chest compressions
2 rescue breaths 30 compressions
See Adult Basic Life Support – Resuscitation Council (UK)
https://www.resus.org.uk/pages/ also Information on Paediatric life support and useful diagrams on how to perform CPR.