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First Aid

First Aid

First Aid

John Donaghy (Paramedic) gives expert video advice on: What first aid can I do without a paramedic present?; What's the first thing I should do if I see a road traffic accident?; What should I do if somebody needs emergency assistance?

What first aid can I do without a paramedic present?

It's limitied really. It's limited as far as if you have some first aid experience, then you'll be fine. You can treat the patient to a certain degree. You can move him because you know how to move him. If you have no experience in first aid you're probably better off just looking after him. If they're in a situation where they are in cardiac arrest and are not breathing, then what the patient needs is pulmonary resuscitation and CPR. Again, there's various courses about that. Two, three day courses and one day courses. The answer would be that people should go onto those courses. At least they'll get some idea of what to do. Then, you'll feel confident enough to carry out these initial life saving techniques.

What's the first thing I should do if I see a road traffic accident?

Don't respond straight away as it will take some time for the traffic to stop. Make sure that you are safe when you get out of your vehicle as other drivers might not have noticed you because they would be concentrating on their driving. This, in turn, might cause another road accident.

What should I do if somebody needs emergency assistance?

It is really just making sure that an ambulance is being called. And that is very much on the agenda of this day and age; just get professional help there first. So take time to do that first. If there is someone else there that can do that and you can treat a patient, that's fine. If you are on your own and something happens, dial 999 and make sure there is some help on the way, then you can treat a patient. If you have no experience then just reassure them, keep them warm. If you've got a blanket maybe just cover them up; a bit of reassurance for the patient when they are laying there. And just make sure they are safe. Make sure you are safe. If you are in a road, don't just go straight out to the patient because traffic may not have stopped. So make sure the situation for you, predominately you as the responder, is safe. And once it is safe for you it will be safe for the patient.