Practical Help…
First Aid
As CPs we are not necessarily qualified First Aiders. Do not offer First Aid unless you are trained and feel confident to do so.
As CPs, we are not necessarily qualified First Aiders. Do not offer First Aid unless you are trained and feel confident doing so.
A lot of first aid is common sense,
If it's bleeding, we need to stop the bleed.
If it's burnt, we need to cool it as quickly as possible.
If it looks like a funny shape - it might be broken; we don’t want to move it.
If they are unresponsive- we need to protect their airway
If they are not breathing - we need to help and get help!!!
A good way to help you remember what to do is DRsABC
D = DANGER: do not put yourself in any danger; if you become injured, you can’t help, and you become another casualty.
R= RESPONSE: Can they talk to you? Can they respond to a verbal command, can you squeeze my fingers?’ Do they respond to pain? When you pinch a fingernail or ear. Or are they completely unresponsive?
S = Shout for Help; get help as soon as possible. Of course, as a CP you are always with others
A = AIRWAY: Someone who is unresponsive may obstruct their airway with their tongue. By placing one hand on their forehead and the other under their jaw, you can tilt the head back and open their airway.
B = BREATHING: Place your ear by their mouth and look at their chest. Watch, feel and listen for 10 seconds; you are hoping to observe 2 normal breaths.
IF THEY ARE BREATHING NORMALLY, YOU DON’T MOVE THEM UNLESS YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THEM OR THEY SHOW SIGNS OF OBSTRUCTION OF THEIR AIRWAY. Then you would need to put them on their side - the recovery position - make sure the top shoulder is further forward than the bottom one, and that their head is tilted back to open up their airway.
C = CPR Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.
For under 18’s and drowning, rescue breaths are very important.
So, start with 5 rescue breaths, then
15 chest compressions, 2 rescue breaths, and repeat 15/2.
For over 18’s -adults
Start with 30 chest compressions, then 2 rescue breaths and repeat, or just do chest compressions. If you don’t want to give rescue breaths.
Breaths should be delivered as quickly as possible, remembering to tilt the head backwards to open the airway.
Chest compressions should be given at a depth of 1/3 of the depth of the chest and at a rate of 2 per second.
IF SOMONE IS WITH YOU, AMBULANCE CONTROL WILL TELL YOU WHERE THE NEAREST DEFIBRILLATOR IS, AND THE CODE TO GET INTO THE CABINET, OPEN AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
REMEMBER, IF SOMEONE IS DEAD, YOU CAN’T MAKE IT WORSE. IF YOU DO NOTHING, THEY WILL STAY DEAD; IF YOU DO SOMETHING, YOU ARE GIVING THEM THE BEST CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. OF COURSE, EVEN IN HOSPITAL, SOME STAY DEAD.
SEVERE BLEEDING
The major bleed kit is RED with a white cross; there are different dressings depending on where the bleed is on the body. There are instructions in the kit; the aim is to stop the bleed, ideally with direct pressure. Gloves, gauze, seal dressing, trauma dressing, as well as ordinary dressing, scissors, etc.
For a severe bleed (an arterial bleed), you have about three minutes to stop or slow down the bleeding before they lose a life-threatening amount of blood.
REMEMBER: NEVER REMOVE A FOREIGN BODY.
Alcohol Poisoning can be life-threatening. Our aim is to keep them safe and get help if needed. Young people especially can get ‘beer coat ’; they think they are hot when, in fact, they are becoming hypothermic. Keep them warm.
Their liver is busy trying to break down the alcohol, so they can become hypoglycaemic (hence the long queue outside MacDonald's!). Please don’t give lollies to the very drunk; if they fall, they damage their teeth or soft palate or can choke. If you are worried, always seek further help, 999 or Safe Bus.
Drugs
Drugs can be taken knowingly, or someone can have drinks spiked, or even be injected without giving consent. Opiates can depress respiration, causing breathing problems.
Medical advice should always be sought. Many drug addicts in Bath carry Naloxone, which inhibits the absorption of the opiate. They carry this as an injection; each syringe holds 5 doses, which should be administered one at a time!!! They need to withdraw the needle after each dose, then reinsert if another dose is required. WE CARRY NALOXONE IN A NASAL SPRAY. Clear instructions are in the box.
NALOXONE SHOULD ONLY BE ADMINISTERED IF THE PERSON IS SHOWING SIGNS OF RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. If they are breathing normally, you monitor until medical help arrives.
REMEMBER, EVEN IF SOMEONE IS UNABLE TO RESPOND, THEY MAY BE ABLE TO HEAR EVERYTHING THAT IS BEING SAID.
Mental Health Advice
People suffering serious mental health problems may at first appear drunk. If the situation appears to be life-threatening, call 999.
If someone is suicidal, try calling the Suicide Prevention Team if available.
Other useful helplines:
Avon and Wilts Mental Health Partnership Trust 0800 953 1919
01225 325680
Samaritans 116123 or text SHOUT to 85258
Suicide Prevention Helpline 0800 587 0800 (6pm -3.30am)
Or 111, with have all up today and local phone numbers
YOUR ROLE AS A CITY PASTOR
ALL GOOD