First Aid Treatment
First Aid Treatment
First Aid Incident Management - Guidance for First Aiders [PDF 169KB]: This guidance has been developed to outline the roles and responsibilities of QMUL First Aiders when attending a first aid incident.
- Building Based First Aider (BBFA) arrives at the scene and obtains information about the incident from the casualty. If a local first aider is present, information can also be obtained from them.
- If Security is present, the BBFA should take over first aid responsibility, leaving Security to secure the scene and if necessary facilitate the arrival of the paramedics.
Fractures: A break or crack in a bone is called a fracture. In the case of an open fracture, the broken bone may pierce the skin surface. But in a closed fracture the skin around the fracture is intact. However, broken bones may be unstable causing internal bleeding and the casualty may develop shock. Your aim is to prevent movement at the injury site and arrange removal to hospital.
Anaphylaxis: This is a severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body and is potentially fatal. In an anaphylactic reaction, chemicals are released into the blood that widen blood vessels. This causes blood pressure to fall and air passages to narrow, resulting in breathing difficulties.
Choking: Choking is a life-threatening medical emergency characterised by the blockage of air passage into the lungs. Choking is caused by a mechanical obstruction of the airway that prevents normal breathing. This obstruction can be partial (allowing some air passage into the lungs) or complete (no air passage into the lungs). The disruption of normal breathing by choking deprives oxygen delivery to the body, resulting in asphyxia. Although oxygen stored in the blood and lungs can keep a person alive for several minutes after breathing stops, this sequence of events is potentially fatal.
Burns: When the skin is damaged by burning it can no longer function effectively as a natural barrier against infection. Quick appropriate treatment for burns is essential in preventing the burn from worsening, becoming infected and in reducing pain.
Needlestick/sharps injuries: Exposure to the blood and body fluids of those infected with blood borne pathogens, like HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), poses a risk of occupationally-acquired infection. The greatest risk is posed by an injury by cutting or pricking the skin (percutaneous injuries), e.g., needlesticks. If you are in any doubt about whether an exposure is significant, seek advice.
Panic Attacks: A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense apprehension, fear or terror. These attacks can begin suddenly and develop rapidly. They are a natural response to something the mind believes will harm us and can last, on average, from three to 10 minutes.
Summer Safety, keeping cool at work: As temperatures rise in summer there are many things you can do to help you keep cool in any heat wave.
