Basic First Aid
DRsABC - Primary Survey
Arriving on scene to any job should start with the Primary Survey, and be constantly re-evaluated during your treatment.
DANGER – Remove any danger from the scene, this includes weapons, Fires Etc. on occasion it will be better to move the patient from the danger. Caution should be used to make sure that no further damage is caused to the patient if they are moved!
RESPONSE – Is there any response from the patient if they are spoken to, Shout at them and use pain stimuli such as a sternum rub to see if there is a response.
SHOUT – Call for backup/EMS on Radio channel 10 if required, state if the patient is Alert/Unconscious and Breathing/Not Breathing, Brief description of incident “Fell off roof/GSW/RTC”etc.
CATASTROPHIC HAEMORRHAGE – Control any severe blood loss using trauma dressings/Applying pressure.
AIRWAY – Make sure the airway is clear and not blocked by anything. Only remove what you can see!
BREATHING – Check to see they are breathing. If they are not, then start the last step
CPR – If they are Unresponsive and NOT breathing, perform CPR.
Secondary Survey
The secondary survey, also known as “Top to Toe” is an examination performed after the initial Primary Survey and stabilisation to establish significant injuries. Start with the head, and work your way down.
Treatments
As a medic, you are expected to treat patients and keep them stable until you get them to a hospital. As an EMT basic, you are not able to discharge a patient on scene without approval from a Jnr Practitioner or higher.
Some forms of treatment you can use are as follows:
Bandaging/Dressings for blood loss
Tornequet for severe blood loss
Pain relief such as Paracetamol or Entanox
Bone Splinting for stabilisation
Wound packing for Gunshot and Knife wounds
Triple immobilisation for car ejections (Spinal board, head blocks and Cervical collar)
As you progress through your career, you will learn many more treatments and drug therapies. [Drugs and equipment in pre-hospital and hospital care]
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