What would you do in Jakarta when you are with someone who is seriously injured in an incident. Many deaths could be prevented if first aid is given before emergency services arrive or before they are reached. This article is written to give you an idea what to do and to make you aware about your skills. You might decide to do a first aid course!
What to do
If someone is injured you should:
- check that you and the casualty are not in any danger.
- if necessary, you may call an ambulance this can be via Emergency response 021 3106886, Medic one 021 7259111, 118 the local emergency service or nearest hospital. Alternatively you may take the patient in any safe car if it will save a lot of time in traffic.
- carry out basic first aid
When someone is unconscious and breathing
If a person is unconscious but breathing, and has no other injuries, place them in the recovery position until help arrives.
If someone is unconscious and not breathing
If a person isn’t breathing after an incident, call an ambulance and start CPR straight away. Use hands-only CPR if you aren’t trained to perform rescue breaths.
Assessing a casualty
The three important issues when dealing with a casualty are referred to as ABC, which stands for:
If the person appears unresponsive, ask them loudly if they’re OK and if they can open their eyes. If they respond, you can leave them in the position they’re in until help arrives. If there’s no response, leave the casualty in the position they’re in and open their airway. If this isn’t possible gently lay them on their back and open their airway.
Check if a person is still breathing:
- look to see if their chest is rising and falling
- listen over their mouth and nose for breathing sounds
- feel their breath against your cheek for 10 seconds
If they’re breathing normally, place them in the recovery position so their airway remains clear.
If the person isn’t breathing normally, then you must start chest compressions immediately.
To carry out a chest compression:
- Put the heel of your hand on the bone at the center of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers.
- Place yourself with your shoulders above your hands.
- Press straight down by 5-6cm on their chest.
- Keeping your hands on their chest, release the compression and allow the chest to return to its original position.
- Repeat these compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute until an ambulance arrives or you become exhausted.
CPR with rescue breaths
If you’ve been trained in CPR you should give chest compressions with rescue breaths. If you’re not completely confident, attempt hands-only CPR instead.
- Put the heel of your hand on the center of the person’s chest, then place the other hand on top and press down by 5-6 cm at a steady rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
- After 30 chest compressions, give two rescue breaths.
- Tilt the casualty’s head and lift the chin up with two fingers. Pinch the person’s nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth for about one second. Give two rescue breaths.
- Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.
Basic life support can save lives. If you or a group of people are interested in a First Aid Course you may contact Good Practice Clinic 021 7183140 or via firstname.lastname@example.org