CPR went by with a breeze, we did babies and adults and got a free face mask! First aid was interesting and pretty practical. Here are some things I learnt/got to do:
- How taking simple steps increases a person's survival rates e.g. using a spacer with a puffer
- If unsure, call the ambo!
- Poison line 131126 for qualified assistance - toxicologists, medical students, pharmacists
- Better to help than to do nothing
- How important is a first aid kit! Bandages, puffers, face masks, spacers, gloves, epipens can make the world of difference!
- If someone's having an asthma attack and they don't have a puffer, ask the crowd if anybody has one or go to the local chemist and get one there + bring the pharmacist with you
- You can have an epilepsy without any movement - the person just pauses
- Do not move a person with a fracture/dislocation/protruding object - splint and bandage them
- A.M.P.L.E - questions to ask someone who is in need of first aid (Any allergies? Medications that they take for their condition? Past history? Last meal? Event history?) These questions can tell you a lot/can affect your decision making!
- Know where you are! As in the exact street address, because ambos find you if you don't!
- Stay calm and look like you know what you're doing so the casualty doesn't freak out even more and exacerbate their condition.
I'm sure I learnt more, but here are just some. I hope I never have to perform first aid/CPR on a person, but if I do, I pray that I can do a good job at it. At the end of the day, I rewarded myself with a necklace from colette. All jewellery was 50% off, so it was only $5! Jeffy picked me up and I had a really nice meal with him and his parents :)
