K1 Emergency Management (1)

Knowledge: Emergency Management

First Aid

  • Initial care for an ill or injured person before advanced care.

  • Primary goal: Stabilize condition and prevent further harm.

The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC)

  • Publishes First Aid guidelines based on scientific research.

  • Recommends modifications to First Aid techniques.

  • Objectives: Foster and coordinate practice and teaching of resuscitation.

Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR)

  • Part of the ARC; represents both Australia and New Zealand.

ARC Guidelines

  • Detailed information on managing:

    • Assessment of first-aid situations

    • Trauma

    • Medical emergencies (e.g., suspected spinal injury, cardiac arrest)

    • Environmental emergencies and envenomation (e.g., snake bites, poisoning).

Basic Life Support Guidelines

  • Continue CPR until responsiveness or normal breathing returns.

  • Wash hands thoroughly and clean equipment after use.

Peak Clinical Bodies

  • Recognized by the Australian Department of Health as not-for-profit organizations.

  • Funded by various sources (state, government, donations).

  • Role: Educate and assist the community, provide medical guidelines.

Safe Work Practices

  • Preventing the need for First Aid:

    • Conduct routine hazard inspections.

    • Participate in WHS meetings.

    • Routine maintenance of emergency equipment.

    • Emergency drills.

Minimize Risk When Providing First Aid

  • Determine the causation of the injury and eliminate hazards.

  • Move casualty from dangerous environments prior to providing aid.

  • Utilize bystanders for additional safety precautions.

Infection Control

  • Sources of infection include saliva, blood, exhaled air.

  • Methods to reduce infection risk:

    • Wash hands before/after treatment.

    • Use gloves, goggles, CPR shield.

    • Avoid contact with body fluids.

Certification of First Aid Practitioners

  • Current competencies required for:

    • Provide First Aid (3 years)

    • Provide CPR (12 months)

    • Basic Emergency Life Support (3 years)

  • CPR must be re-accredited annually.

Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice

  • Practical guidance for managing health/safety risks.

  • Key aspects:

    • Determine first-aid requirements.

    • Establish first-aid equipment and training needs.

Legal and Ethical Issues

Duty of Care

  • Legal responsibility to assist injured/ill individuals.

  • Begins when help is committed.

  • Ends when:

    • Casualty recovers.

    • Professional help arrives.

    • It becomes unsafe to continue.

Consent

  • Permission required before providing assistance.

  • For minors, obtain parental consent.

  • If unconscious, treat without consent.

  • Important to keep incident records for legal protection.

  • Maintain confidentiality regarding casualty's information.

Duty to Rescue

  • ‘Good Samaritans’ are not legally obligated to rescue.

  • No legal repercussions for rendering assistance with good faith.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Symptoms may appear within three months or later after a traumatic event.

  • Signs to watch for:

    • Sleeplessness, guilt, flashbacks, anxiety, appetite loss, concentration issues.

Emergency Management Methods

  • DRSABCD: Primary and secondary assessments.

  • Prioritizing casualties.

  • Assessing hazards and unconsciousness.

Emergency Situations

  • Serious and unexpected situations requiring immediate attention.

  • Assess scene, identify hazards and conditions, plan actions, prepare contingencies.

Assessing Hazards

  • Identify potential risks:

    • Biohazards (blood, fluids)

    • Chemical hazards (fumes, spills)

    • Electrical hazards (live wires, faulty equipment)

Post-Emergency Actions

  • Complete incident report post-treatment.

  • Seek counseling for post-traumatic stress.

  • Improve skills and educate others on first aid.