Post 911, we are living in a world where bystanders are not running away from an accident scene; they are running towards it to help. Now, sometimes the results are astonishing, just like the bystanders in Cape Town who made headlines when the two men dove into the blood soaked water to save a man just bitten by a great white shark.However, many people with the best intentions have no idea how to handle an emergency situation. Here are a few quick tips.
1) Approach the scene in a calm manner.
2) Take a couple slow deep breaths to gain your composure.
3) Assess the situation with your eyes looking for any dangers.
4) Get extra help as soon as possible - call 911.
Once you have entered the scene you should assess ABC's of the patient.
A = Airway: talking, the airway is open
B = Breathing: Look, Listen & Feel
C = Check Pulse: Carotid or Radial, Blood pressure present
Look for other injuries. If you see blood anywhere, leave the clothes intact and apply direct pressure. Direct pressure alone can save someone's life. Remember to keep assessing the scene. If more bystanders, arrive get them to help with traffic.
When a person does not have a pulse you will need to start CPR. The American Heart Association changed the 2010 guidelines: 100 compressions a minute for one person. Bystanders were refusing to give rescue breaths. A two-man team may do 50 compressions to 2 rescue breaths. CPR is exhausting you should change partners every two minutes to help alleviate fatigue. Once you start CPR, you cannot stop unless physically exhausted. It's a good idea to always ask for additional resources.
If a patient is trapped in a vehicle, it is always best to leave them there unless immediate dangers are present: like a burning car. In that case always try to keep the neck as stable as possible when moving.
B = Breathing: Look, Listen & Feel
C = Check Pulse: Carotid or Radial, Blood pressure present
Look for other injuries. If you see blood anywhere, leave the clothes intact and apply direct pressure. Direct pressure alone can save someone's life. Remember to keep assessing the scene. If more bystanders, arrive get them to help with traffic.
When a person does not have a pulse you will need to start CPR. The American Heart Association changed the 2010 guidelines: 100 compressions a minute for one person. Bystanders were refusing to give rescue breaths. A two-man team may do 50 compressions to 2 rescue breaths. CPR is exhausting you should change partners every two minutes to help alleviate fatigue. Once you start CPR, you cannot stop unless physically exhausted. It's a good idea to always ask for additional resources.
If a patient is trapped in a vehicle, it is always best to leave them there unless immediate dangers are present: like a burning car. In that case always try to keep the neck as stable as possible when moving.
Good advice, thanks. You seem to know a lot about this subject. Are you in the health care profession?
ReplyDeleteHarold Brucia
This is a very detailed blog. Are you currently an EMT? I am not sure I would remember to take a couple of slow deep breaths to gain my composure but I am sure we all don't know what we would do when faced with a situation like this. I do know I would, without a doubt, help someone in need instead of run away. And I hope others would do the same for me and my family. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie, this blog post was very informative. It is good to advise people like this, because the truth is good Samaritans focus so much on wanting to help that they forget their surroundings, which may be dangerous. I learn something new too, which is great! I learned not to discontinue CPR as much as one physically prevent.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am a medic on an ambulance and I wanted to pass along some valuable information that a lay person can utitize to benefit emergency situations. Jackie Sullivan
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice. I would have to help it would be hard not to but I know it's important to remember the rules and trying not to panic. I think it's great what you do and thanks for the helpful tips. Natalie Schoenemann
ReplyDeleteWhat great advice. I have never taken a cpr class before, so all this is great to know.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. I can only hope this information sticks to my brain in case I find my self in a situation.
ReplyDeleteWow this is very critical information that should be considered very important. I never though myself in that situation, this is very impressive.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great post. Everyone should know and follow this if ever in a critical situation.
ReplyDelete