Sector : Land Transport

Qualification Title : Driving NC II

Unit of Competency : Implement and Coordinate Accident-

Emergency Procedures

Module Title : Implementing and Coordinating Accident-

Emergency Procedures

CAGAYAN DE ORO (BUGO) SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES

Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City

Unit of Competency IV

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 MODULE CONTENT

UNIT COMPETENCY : Implement and Coordinate Accident-

Emergency Procedures
MODULE TITLE : Implementing and Coordinating Accident-
Emergency Procedures
MODULE DESCRIPTOR :
This module covers skills, knowledge and attitudes required in
responding to emergency incidents, follow-up support and assistance and
communicate to concerned individual during emergency.
NOMINAL DURATION: 16 hours
LEARNING OUTCOMES :
Upon completion of this module, the trainee/student must be able to:
1. Respond to emergencies
2. Arrange follow-up support and assistance

Information Sheet No. 4.1-1

Respond to Emergencies
Learning Objectives:

After reading this, the trainee/student must be able to identify emergency

and potential emergency situations and assessed based on emergency
procedure, actions are prioritized and provided based on the criticality of the
emergency situation, Incident reports are prepared in accordance with
regulatory and workplace procedures, responsibilities are fulfilled in
accordance with emergency procedures and/or regulatory requirements.

Responding to Workplace Accidents

1. Take control at the scene and try to restore order.
2. Assure first aid and call for emergency services. Provide immediate
care if you're qualified to do so; have someone else call for help.
3. Control potential secondary accidents.
4. Identify people and conditions at the scene.
5. Preserve physical evidence.

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What is an authorized emergency vehicle?

An emergency vehicle is any vehicle that is designated and authorized to

respond to an emergency in a life-threatening situation. These vehicles are
usually operated by designated agencies, often part of the government, but
also run by charities, non-governmental organizations and some commercial
companies.

When Should drivers yield to emergency vehicles?

You must yield the right-of-way to any police vehicle, fire engine,

ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren and red lights. Drive
to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle(s) have
passed. However, never stop in an intersection.

Is it a law to yield to emergency vehicles?

If they are at an intersection, or stopped in traffic when they see lights or

hear a siren, drivers should remain stopped and wait until the emergency
vehicles have passed. Do not make quick or erratic maneuvers. The law is
very specific; drivers must yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle.

How to react to emergency vehicles on the road

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Give the vehicle a wide berth

- If you see an emergency vehicle has stopped, slow down and

make sure you give it a wide berth as you pass. Watch out for
people rushing about nearby in a panic.

 Be prepared to pull over

- If there is an emergency vehicle behind you, be prepared to pull

over and stop where it is safe to do so – look for where you can
let it pass through safely. Avoid blocking junctions or stopping
in the middle of the road.

 Avoid stopping on kerbs

- When pulling over, avoid stopping on kerbs, pavements, bends

and verges as they can hide potential hazards from the
emergency driver and put pedestrians using the pavement at
risk.

 Look for space to move aside

- If you hear the sound of emergency sirens but can’t see where
the vehicle is, work out where there is space to move aside if it
does come your way.

 Check your mirrors

- There may be more than one emergency vehicle approaching, so

don’t forget to check your mirrors and blind spot before merging
back in with traffic.

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 Don't panic

- If you are travelling on a one-way street or you are unable to

pull over because of congestion, continue driving – don’t slow
down and make it squeeze past. Don’t panic and rush either.
Allow the emergency vehicle to overtake you only when there is
enough space and when it is safe to do so.

 Don't break the law

- Never speed up and outrun an emergency vehicle. If you go

through a red light or into a bus lane to make way for an
emergency vehicle you are still breaking the law.

 Avoid blocking the hard shoulder

- When travelling on the motorway, police, fire, and ambulance

drivers may use the hard shoulder. Avoid blocking it to allow
them to pass quickly and easily if they need to.

 Stay unflustered

- Don’t panic in front of them – stay unflustered and move out of

the way so they can get past. Look at their indicators if you are
near a junction – the emergency driver will try to let you know
where they need to go.

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  Even in minor accidents, a police accident report can prove invaluable
when dealing with your car insurance company and other drivers.
Cooperate fully, but avoid admitting fault or blaming others while
at the scene. Let the police objectively judge events and determine
who, if anyone, is at fault in the crash.

Top 4 common car emergency situations and what you should do

1. Flood
As we all know, it’s hard to predict when
the rain comes -- and hard. The day can
start sunny but the roads will end up
flooded due to afternoon showers. Some
roads are more prone to flooding and
easily get flooded even after a light
downpour.

If you’re in the middle of the road and

you’re caught by fast-rising water, it is best to find an area (hopefully
elevated) where you can park your car safely. If you really need to drive
through a flood, it is best to stay in first or second gear for manual
transmission and L or 1 in AT. Drive slowly while slipping through the
clutch and revving up the engine. For drivers of automatic-transmission
cars, make sure your foot stays on the accelerator while controlling your
speed using the brake. It is also recommended never to shift gears.

2. Sudden stops
We share the road with other vehicles,
pedestrians, and even animals who
sometimes aren’t where they should be.
At times, we may be surprised to see
stray animals on the road, too. Other
unexpected road blockages include cars
and trucks stopped on the road due to
vehicle problems.

It is wise to know how you can protect

yourself and everyone you share the road with. Avoid accidents and damage
to vehicles by being aware of when you should stop and make sure you do
so at an appropriate distance. When you hit the brakes, a light indicating
ABS will usually flash. You would also hear a certain noise or feel that the

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brake pedal is pulsating. These are signs that indicate the vehicle’s ABS is
functioning. 

3. Blown-out tires
Tire damage often happens during hot
weather or when your vehicle is running
at high speed. A car’s tires can only be
damaged if it hits something sharp on
the road. When this happens, experts
warn that a driver should never hit the
brakes.

Continue driving and slow down until

you are able to navigate the car to a safe
area. It is also best to press on the
accelerator since the car will not speed up any further. If the car suddenly
stops, it will veer and then skid, and can even topple over.

4. Losing control
Drivers lose control over their vehicle due
to a lot of reasons. They may be sleepy, be
caught off guard by a road obstacle,
among others. When these happen,
experts suggest focusing on where you
want to navigate your car.

Meaning, you should focus on looking at

the direction where you want or need to go
rather than focusing on where you
shouldn’t go.

What are the first emergency procedures when arriving at the scene of
an accident?

If you're first on the scene of an incident, it may be useful to remember the

DR(S) ABC acronym, as this stands for Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing
and Circulation, as these six life-saving steps can be a significant help
before the emergency services arrive.

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The Different Types of Vehicle Emergency Situation
1. Vehicle collision

2. Crime accident (hold-up, kidnapping and related crimes)

3. Fire resulted from engine overheating or faulty electric wiring

4. Hit and run

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5. Loose of brake/uncontrolled

6. Tire blown out

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 Self-Check 4.1-1
Respond to Emergencies

Enumeration:

1. What are the different types of emergency situation?

2. Give at least 3 causes of vehicle collision?

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 INFORMATION SHEET 4.1-2

KINDS OF ACCIDENT BODY INJURIES/SHOCKS

Objective: After reading this information sheet, the trainee should be able
to enumerate kinds of accident body injuries/shock.
Shock
A depress condition of the many body
functions due to the failure of enough blood to
circulate throughout the body following
serious injury.
Basic causes of shock
1. Pump failure – the heart fails to act
properly as a pump.

2. Relative hypovolemia – the blood vessels dilate so that blood within

them is insufficient to fill the system and provide efficient perfusion.

3. Hypovolemia – blood and plasma can be lost so that the fluid

contained within the vascular system is insufficient to perfuse to all
areas well each minute.

Causes of shock
1. Severe bleeding

2. Crushing injuries

3. Infection

4. Heart attack

5. Perforation of stomach ulcer

6. Shell bomb or bullet wound

7. Rupture of tubal pregnancy

8. Anaphylaxis

9. Starvation

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 SELF-CHECK 4.1-2
KINDS OF ACCIDENT BODY INJURIES/SHOCKS

ENUMERATION
Instruction: Enumerate the Basic causes of shock
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

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 GUIDELINES IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After reading this information, you should be able to:
Enumerate guidelines in attending emergency situations.

Guidelines in giving emergency care

I. Getting Started

Planning of action
Gathering of needed materials
Initial response as follows:

A – Ask for help

I – Intervene
D – Do no further HARM

II. Emergency Action Principles

Survey the scene

Is the scene safe?

 What happened?
 How many people are injured?
 Are there bystanders who can help?
Identify yourself as trained First Aider

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 SELF-CHECK 4.1-3
GUIDELINES IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY

ENUMERATION:

1. Enumerate the guidelines in attending emergency situation.

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 Information Sheet 4.1-4
Incident Reporting
Objectives: After reading the information sheet, the trainee should be able
to:
1. Give importance of Preparing Incident Reports.
Incident Reporting

It is important to record details of the casualty’s physical condition and any

changes, including management of the casualty and response to
management. As soon as the casualty has been stabilised, a report must be
made to your supervisor.

There are several reasons for this.

 This documented record is a legal document and may be used

in a court of law, for example, as evidence in a law suit or a
coroner’s investigation.
 If the casualty is transferred to a doctor’s or hospital’s care,
this record can be communicated to the doctor.
 The incident may be investigated, identifying and rectifying
causes to prevent the incident from occurring again.
 The records may be a useful tool for obtaining information
used for audits.

Methods

Your workplace will have an accident/incident form that will need to be

completely filled in.

Company procedures

Always follow company procedures. You may have to write details first into a
logbook and then fill out an accident/incident form. Maybe you will only
have to fill out an accident/incident form. Whatever the company policy,
make sure it is followed. Be sure to fill out all information requested as soon
as practicable and sign the form. It is normal practice to submit the form to
management.

Incident reporting
Notification of work-related incidents to OHS authorities is a legal
requirement of both the workers’ compensation and occupational health and
safety legislation. In New South Wales this authority is WorkCover NSW.

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The following is a list of relevant legislative provisions:
 Section 44 of the Workplace Injury Management and Workers
Compensation Act 1998
 Clause 32 of the Workers Compensation Regulation 2003
 Sections 86 and 87 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act
2000
 Clauses 341, 341A, 342, 343 and 344 of the Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation 2001
From 1 September 2003, work-related incidents under clause 341 are called
incidents. Previously, these incidents were called accidents and other
matters. Also from 1 September 2003, there is a new simplified incident
notification system in NSW. The types of incidents that should be reported
include:
 Serious incident involving a fatality or a serious injury or
illness. Notify WorkCover immediately by phone and the
workers compensation insurer within 48 hours.
 Incident involving an injury or illness to workers, where
workers’ compensation is or may be payable. Notify the
workers compensation insurer within 48 hours.
Serious incident with no injury or illness, but is immediately life
threatening. Notify WorkCover immediately by phone plus notify WorkCover
within seven days to make full report using the online form or a printed
version.
Incident with no injury or illness, and is not immediately life threatening.
Notify WorkCover within seven days using the online form or a printed
version.
These provisions include non-workers, for example visitors of customer at
the workplace.
When notifying, you will be asked questions about the incident. Some
information will only need to be provided when there has been a death,
injury or illness. This information is marked with an asterisk*.

Employer information:
 name of employer
 address (street address, suburb, postcode)
 ABN number
 type of industry.
Notifier information:
 name of notifier

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  phone number.
* Injured person details:
 name of injured, ill or deceased person
 residential Address (street, suburb, postcode)
 date of birth
 phone number
 non-worker category (eg. visitor, customer).
Incident details:
 date of incident
 location of incident (location, street, suburb, postcode)
 description of how incident happened
 description of injury, illness or death*.
Insurers may ask for more information.
Occupiers of workplaces/employers must keep the following records about
the notification for at least five years after the notification is given:
 a record of the date, time, place and nature of the
incident/injury
 a record of the date of notification and the way in which the
notification was given
 a record of any acknowledgement given by the insurer or
WorkCover.
These records must be made available for inspection by a WorkCover
inspector or an authorised representative of the worker. An entry in the
Register of Injuries kept under is a sufficient record of an injury to a worker
for notification purposes. The record of any acknowledgement of the notice
can also be kept as part of the Register of Injuries.

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 Self-Check 4.1-4
Incident Reporting

Enumeration

Instruction: Enumerate the following:

1. Employer information:
2. Notifier information:
3. Injured person details:
4. Incident details:
5. Insurers may ask for more information.

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 Information Sheet No. 4.2-1
Arrange follow-up support & assistance
Learning Objectives:

After reading this, the trainee/student must be able to identify Emergency

and potential emergency situations and assessed based on emergency
procedure, Actions are prioritized and provided based on the criticality of the
emergency situation, Incident reports are prepared in accordance with
regulatory and workplace procedures, Responsibilities are fulfilled in
accordance with emergency procedures and/or regulatory requirements.

Tips To Follow After A Car Accident

1. If you are not injured
2. Get the medical treatment you need
3. Gather information
4. Make sure to get law enforcement involved
5. Follow up with medical treatment
6. Maintain documentation
7. Find legal help

What To Do During Vehicular Accidents

Minor Accidents

1. Safety First

The principal concern during a car accident is the safety and well-being of
everyone involved. Alight from your vehicle and take pictures of the situation
whatever happens.

2. Do Not Cause Traffic

After that, the drivers should pull their vehicles out of the road immediately
so that they're both clear of oncoming traffic. Use flares or cones, if you have
them, to alert other drivers, and turn on your hazard lights so that you can
be more visible. Call the nearest hospital if anyone has been hurt. Do not
leave the scene of an accident--even a minor one--until everything has been
resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

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3. Interacting with the Other Driver

Once the initial shock wears off and it's apparent that no one's been
seriously hurt, tempers may flare. Refrain from losing your temper. Get the
other driver's name, address, contact information and insurance details,
and provide the same for him (this is why it's a good idea to carry your
insurance information in your vehicle). See if an amicable settlement can be
made. If not, call the MMDA hotline 1-3-6, and ask for traffic
enforcers/investigators to be present on the scene immediately. Remain at
the scene until the investigators arrive and tell you that you can go.

4. Insurance and Repairs

With the basics taken cared of, it's time to see about the damage to your car
and how you can go about getting it fixed. If you can, call your insurance
agent immediately while you're still at the scene and ask him about repairs.
Keep in touch with the traffic investigators, and file a report on the accident
if they ask.

Major Accidents

1. Check if anyone is hurt.

Check yourself and your passengers to see if anyone has been injured. If
someone is hurt, summon medical assistance right away, or dial MMDA 1-3-
6 and ask for a medical team and a traffic investigator to go to the scene.

2. Make sure to take pictures of the accident.

Once your condition and that of your passengers has been established, take
pictures. This is the best arguing tool that you can have. Photos showing the
vehicles and the surrounding area can help get you out of a bind if the other
person denies what happened. Make sure to take pictures of both vehicles,
(including license plates), and the area in which the accident occurred.

3. Move your vehicle off to the side of the road if possible.

It is unsafe to continue to sit in traffic and a two-car fender bender could

turn into a multiple-car pileup very quickly. If you are unable to move your
vehicle, make sure to stay in the area of the incident until the investigators
arrives.

4. Let the investigator take command of the situation, and institute

measures to prevent the accident from getting worse.

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When the police arrive, you will want to get their names so that you can
refer back them later when reviewing the accident details. Additionally, you
shouldn't rely solely on the police report to tell your side of the story.

5. Exchange information with the other driver.

If involved in an accident with another driver, make sure to exchange the

following information with that driver: name, address, phone number,
insurance company, policy number, driver's license number and license
plate number. You also should write a description of each vehicle, including
the make, model, year and color.

6. Contact your insurance company and know what your policy covers.

After exchanging information with the other driver, you next move should be
to contact your insurance company to let them know that you've been in an
accident and to give them your version of the events. Additionally, you
should be aware of what exactly your policy covers. You might find out that
the actual cost to repair your car manageable enough to avoid going through
your insurer and incurring a premium hike.

7. File an accident report with the police department.

Having a police report on hand can assist in speeding up the insurance

claims process. You can file a report at your local police station.

Things You Need to Do After a Car Accident

1. STOP. Never drive away from the scene of an accident, even a minor
one.

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2. PROTECT THE SCENE. You can prevent further accidents by setting
up flares, or keeping your flashers on. If it is dark and your lights
don't work, you should have a flashlight to keep you safe while you
wait in your disabled car or by the side of the road.

3. CALL THE POLICE. Even if there are no serious injuries, it is a good

idea to call the police. You may need a police report to file a claim with
your insurance company, even if it is just to make a claim for damage
to your vehicle. The vehicles involved in the accident should remain
where they are, unless they interfere with traffic.

4. MAKE AN ACCURATE RECORD. When the police arrive, make sure

you tell the investigating officer(s) exactly what happened, to the best
of your ability. If you do not know certain facts, tell that to the officer.
Do not speculate, guess or misstate any of the facts. If you are asked
if you are injured and you are not sure, say you are not sure, rather
than no.

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5. TAKE PICTURES. If you happen to have a camera in your vehicle, or
a cell phone equipped with a camera, you should take pictures of the
vehicles if there is visible damage. If you have visible injuries, you
should photograph them as well. However, you should in no way
interfere with the on-going police investigation. If you cannot take
pictures at the scene of the accident, take them as soon as possible
after the accident.

6. EXCHANGE INFORMATION. Typically, the investigating police officer

obtains this information. You should also obtain information about
insurance by asking to see the insurance card for all vehicles involved
in the accident. If there are witnesses, you should get information
from them as well so that you or your attorney can contact them in
the future. If police respond to the accident, the investigating officer
usually will provide all drivers with a police report number.

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7. REPORT THE ACCIDENT. Notify your insurance company as soon as
possible. Many policies require immediate reporting and full
cooperation.

8. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. Often, injuries caused by motor vehicle

accidents are not immediately apparent. Most of our clients report
feeling the most pain a day or two following an automobile accident.
Unless you are absolutely certain you were not injured, you should
seek medical attention at your local emergency room or by seeing your
family physician.

9. KEEP A FILE. Keep all your accident-related documents and

information together. This information should include a claim
number, the claim's adjuster who is handling the claim, names and
phone numbers of all contacts, receipts for a rental car and other
expenses incurred as a result of the accident.

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 10. PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. Perhaps the most important thing you
should do after an accident is to consult your attorney. Your attorney
can protect your rights and make sure valuable evidence is not
destroyed. Often, insurance companies want to take statements
immediately after an accident. It is important that you have received
legal advice before providing such a statement. Your attorney can
advise you on issues ranging from how to make sure you are fully
compensated for your vehicle to how to make sure you are getting the
best medical treatment available. Personal injury attorneys work on a
contingency fee basis, which means there is no legal fee unless the
attorney recovers compensation for your injuries.

Apply First Aid Procedures: General Requirements

Objective: After reading the information sheet, the trainee should be able to
apply First Aid Procedures: General Requirements.

Apply First Aid Procedures: General Requirements

When providing first aid care for people experiencing illness from common
medical conditions it is advisable to follow the instructions of the casualty or
their family (if possible). Individuals who have long term medical conditions
such as diabetes or asthma know best how to manage a first aid situation
but may require your assistance.

Reassure the casualty

Imagine you are hurt in a workplace accident. You can see blood on your leg
and you think you’ve broken your arm. You’ve twisted your ankle and you’re
also in considerable pain and feeling a bit dizzy. You will probably be feeling
frightened and panicked or confused.

Feeling frightened and panicked could make things worse for you. Feeling
this way will increase your blood pressure and pulse causing more pain and
more bleeding. This will in turn cause more anxiety and panic. It becomes a
vicious circle.

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Not only is it important to reassure the casualty to make them feel better,
this also lowers the blood pressure and pulse rate and therefore lowers the
amount of bleeding and pain.

Think of what kind of things could alleviate some of this anxiety and panic.

Methods

There are definite dos and don’ts regarding ways in which you can reassure
the casualty.

DO DON’T

Be as honest as Don’t tell them bad news eg

possible. ‘Emma is dead.’ If the casualty
asks about another casualty
who is dead or critical, just say
‘Everything is being done for
them.’

Let the casualty know Don’t react to the situation ie

that help is on its way. don’t shout ‘Oh my goodness,
look at Bob.’ or ‘Gee, look at all
that blood.’

If an ambulance has
been called, let the
casualty know this.

Stay with the casualty. Do not leave the casualty.

Try to make them Don’t move the casualty

comfortable with unnecessarily.
minimal movement eg
blankets, icepack.

Tell the casualty your Don’t tell the casualty to look

name, find out theirs

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 and use it eg ‘How are at the wounds.
you doing, Bob?’ and
‘Help is on it’s way,
Bob.’

Act confidently, Don’t fall apart (eg do not say ‘I

instilling trust in the don’t know what to do’).
casualty.

Offering reassurance is the process of providing information that is

comforting and instils trust and confidence in your abilities to provide first
aid care. You can offer reassurance through giving the casualty information
about the care you are providing and by letting them know that professional
help is on the way, if this is the case. Your reassurance can greatly assist in
reducing the casualty’s fears and anxieties. In some circumstances
bystanders may also require reassurance that the situation is under control.

Make the casualty comfortable

You may be required to assist in a first aid situation by getting resources

such as:

 first aid kit

 blankets
 mobile phone (to call for help)
 torch
 thermometer
 ice pack
 resuscitation mask or pocket face mask
 space blanket
 extra bandages
 spacer device
 gloves.

First Aid kit

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If you do need to assist by accessing any of these items, prepare yourself by
becoming familiar with where these items are kept in the workplace. This
will save time and speed up the first aid response, help to promote recovery
and may prevent injuries from worsening.

Sometimes, you may need to improvise to provide effective first aid. That is,
you may need to be creative and think laterally because you might not have
exactly what you require. You will need to use something else instead. Look
around you and think of what resources you may be able to use. For
example, if you need to elevate the casualty’s legs, look for a bag or case, a
small box or a chair, which can be turned upside down in order to elevate
their legs. If you can’t find anything, hold the casualty’s legs up yourself.

Elevating a casualty’s leg

Determine and explain nature of injury and first aid procedure

For many people it would be important to know what their injuries are or
what their condition is and what first aid management if being given.
Knowledge can provide comfort and reassurance to a casualty.

Before you start providing more information to the casualty, determine first
whether they wish to be told — watch their reaction when you begin to
inform them. If the casualty nods, says OK, or asks questions, you can be
assured they wish to know what is happening.

The casualty usually has to participate in their first aid management to

some extent either by answering questions, for example, ‘Have you got your
asthma medication with you? Or they may have to position their arm
slightly for a bandage to be applied. Be aware that you will need to read
their body language to gauge how much information to provide for their
comfort.

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Seek consent from the casualty

When offering any assistance to a casualty who is conscious, it is important

to seek their permission for you to provide first aid management. If the
casualty is unconscious or in a life threatening situation, you should act
immediately and presume that they would prefer you to offer any assistance.

When offering first aid management for people under the age of 18, consent
should also be sought from their parent or guardian, when available.

A casualty who is of sound mind and has not provided consent or has
clearly stated that they want to be left alone, must have their wishes
respected otherwise it could be considered assault. Even with the best of
intentions, it is very important that permission is sought prior to
administrating first aid. The casualty who tells the first aider that they are
fine, and that they do not need help had their own reasons for refusing
assistance.

Role of the first aider

The trained first aider should provide initial treatment to the casualty that is
consistent with the first aider’s level of training and competence. As a first
aider your role and responsibilities will depend on the accident scene, the
available resources and any relevant workplace policies and procedures. In
general, a first aider may be required to:

 assess the scene

 call for and assist Emergency Services
 provide first aid management of injuries and illnesses
 direct bystanders
 provide shelter, warmth, food and fluids, if appropriate
 provide reassurance and emotional support
 report to a supervisor and complete injury/illness forms
 maintain first aid supplies and equipment.

Caution – Work within your role limits

All first aid procedures provided by the first aider should be limited by the
extent of his/her role and skills. Where the first aid management or medical
treatment required is beyond a first aider’s level of competence, the first
aider should seek assistance from trained professionals such as an
ambulance officer, medical practitioner, or occupational health nurse.

Legal liability

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Work Cover NSW (2001) states that first aiders have no more responsibility
than that set out in the employee duties under the Occupational Health and
Safety (OHS) Act. However, if any person hinders or prevents access to first
aid they might be found guilty of an offence under the OHS Act. In most
instances, your employer assumes legal responsibility for your actions if you
provide first aid services in the course of your employment and in
accordance with workplace procedures and your level of training and skill.

While there is no law in New South Wales that demands a first aider render
assistance in an emergency situation in the community setting, once a first
aider provides first aid they do have a duty of care.

Duty of care

The term duty of care is used to describe any legal responsibilities and
requirements for people to act in a certain way. As a first aider you have a
duty to use the knowledge and skills that you obtain in your first aid
training whenever you choose to render first aid to a casualty. Once you give
first aid you have a duty to provide care to the best of your abilities until
such a time as you endanger your own safety, the casualty no longer
requires your assistance, or you have been relieved by a more qualified
person.

First aiders should not administer first aid management beyond their level
of training and should weigh the risks involved in treating a person against
their own capabilities to provide safe and effective first aid. If you are
engaged in paid or voluntary employment to act as a First Aid Officer, you
have a duty to provide first aid services to those in your care, for example,
work colleagues, clients and visitors to your place of work.

Seek assistance from others

If you do find yourself in a situation where the casualty needs urgent first
aid or medical attention, the sooner you raise the alarm the sooner help will
arrive. Do not leave the casualty. Call for help. Depending on the workplace
set-up, you may be able to call for help, or you may have to use an intercom
or telephone. Find out your workplace procedures regarding getting help.

In most workplaces there will be enough staff working nearby that you can
quite easily raise the alarm. You may be able to call out to the person closest
to you to either get the first aid kit, the supervisor or any qualified first
aider, depending on whom you are working with and where the first aiders
are.

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Methods

You can call out something like this:

‘Nancy, we need some first aid in the playground for Tommy.’ or

‘John, quickly bring the first aid kit to the office. Mr Smith has hurt
himself.’

Remain calm but assertive.

Correctly operate equipment

First aid equipment refers to the first aid kit, the defibrillator and other
equipment such as Epi-pens, puffers and spacers.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable automatic device

used to restore normal heart rhythm to patients in cardiac arrest. An
automated external defibrillator is applied outside the body. The AED
automatically analyses the casualty’s heart rhythm and advises the first-
aider whether or not a shock is needed to restore a normal heart beat. If the
casualty’s heart resumes beating normally, the heart has been successfully
defibrillated.

The defibrillator is very simple to use. The first-aider simply follows the
instructions. However, it is strongly recommended that you complete a short
course on using a defibrillator so you are well prepared should you need to
use it.

Use safe manual handling techniques

Do not move the casualty unless it is absolutely

necessary

Manual handling is an activity which requires the use of force exerted by a

person to lift, lower, pull, push, move, carry, restrain or hold any object,
person or even animal. It is an activity that is required of all people both at
home and at work.

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Here are some general principles based on the laws of physics. They are:

 Have a wide base of support — keep feet apart, point toes in

the direction you are going to move, knees should be slightly
flexed. This avoids using the small muscle in the back and
uses the thigh muscles.
 Keep object close to the body.
 Keep object close to hip/pelvic area (centre of gravity).
 The line of gravity should always be vertical and should remain
perpendicular to the ground. In other words, keep back
straight while lifting and carrying.
 It is easier to push or slide an object than lift.
 Transferring the lifter’s weight during movement exerts less
energy.
 Size up the load to be carried and get help (human or
mechanical) if the load is too big, heavy or awkward.
 Bend the legs, keep back and arms straight, lift with leg
muscles.

Based on these general principles, here are some important principles to

remember when lifting or moving objects

 Always use both arms and legs.

 Turn in direction of movement.
 Use smooth movements.
 Bend knees, squat, and keep back straight and stand in front
of object when lifting something from ground level.
 Use appropriate lifting aides.
 Avoid twisting, stretching and bending if possible.
 Wear appropriate clothing which allows you to move
comfortably.
 Proper footwear is also vital to prevent injuries from slips and
falls.

Mechanics of lifting

Now, let’s look at the mechanics of lifting.

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: Lifting? This is wrong. Never lift like this! Why?

Handling people

Handling people is a bit different to handling boxes — people move and have
characteristics that must be taken into account in manual handling tasks.
Unpredictable behaviour such as sudden movements and the need to adopt
awkward or static working postures can put you at risk.

Here are some tips to help when moving people:

 encourage the person to assist if possible

 move a person to the same level or from a higher to a lower
level rather that the other way around
 do not push, pull or slide a person sideways
 use furniture or mechanical equipment to minimise holding
time
 use equipment with pushing/pulling applies at about waist
level
 avoid double handling.

Handling casualties

Do not move the casualty unless it is absolutely

necessary

This procedure should be followed for a person who has fallen on the floor or
who is found sitting or lying on the floor.

Under no circumstances attempt to manually lift the person from the floor.
Never attempt to lift a person alone. The person may have suffered a stroke,
a heart attack, an epileptic fit, a bleeding wound, or a fracture. Further
injury of the person can occur if manual lifting is attempted.

 Lay the person down on the floor and make them comfortable.
 Assess the person for possible complications, bleeding and
consciousness.
 Call for assistance.
 Place a pillow or towel under the person’s head.
 Ring for an ambulance if serious injury is suspected.

If the person is not seriously hurt you could attempt to help the person to
stand by rolling them onto his or her side, then onto all fours and then into

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a kneeling position. Using a chair as a prop, help the person up and onto
the chair. Should the person be unable to do this with light assistance, then
an ambulance should be called.

Monitor and respond to casualty’s condition

It is important that the whole process of responding to the casualty occurs

quickly so that assessment and management of the situation may be carried
out effectively.

How do you know that somebody is in need of first aid in the first place?
What are the signs that make you suddenly stop what you are doing and
become more alert to an incident or situation? Your answer may include
using your senses:

What do you hear? Perhaps you heard shouting, screaming, a call for help,
a crash, or moaning.

What do you see? Did you see a person on the ground, strange behaviour,
an upturned chair, a group of people, smoke or flames?

What do you smell? Did you smell gas, petrol, fumes or burning?

The following are some guidelines for responding to the casualty’s condition:

 Do not approach the casualty if it is unsafe to do so.

 ALWAYS call for help.
 If the casualty is unconscious, determine airway and breathing
 If the person is conscious but can’t move or feel their arms or
legs, DON’T move them. They may have a spinal injury.
 Manage illness and injuries with the guidance of a qualified
first aider and stay with the casualty.

If you need to phone for an ambulance and give details of the situation and
workplace location, make sure you know exactly where you are! You should
know the following:

 address
 nearest cross street
 the building level you are on
 the best way for the ambulance to gain access to the casualty.

Effective first aid principles

What actually is first aid? First aid is the initial care of the sick or injured.
First aid management is a set of established procedures and aims to:
 help promote recovery

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  prevent the injury or sickness from becoming worse
 seek medical help
 promote a safe environment
 provide comfort
 protect the unconscious casualty
 preserve life.

It is important to follow these basic first aid steps:

1. do not panic
2. assess the situation quickly
3. make sure the area is safe to approach
4. identify the injury or sickness
5. call for help
6. stay with the casualty
7. manage the casualty
8. monitor the casualty; their situation could change at any time.

Finalise casualty management

On completion of any casualty management scenario you might be required

to:
 clean up the immediate area
 take immediate action to prevent recurrence of the accident
 complete workplace illness/injury forms
 seek opportunities to debrief with a work colleague, friend,
family member or professional counsellor
 restock any first aid kits/supplies.

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 Self-Check 4.2-1

True or False

Instruction: Write T if the statement is correct and F if the statement is

wrong.

1. Not only is it important to reassure the casualty to make them feel

better, this also lowers the blood pressure and pulse rate and
therefore lowers the amount of bleeding and pain.
2. When offering any assistance to a casualty who is conscious, it is
important to seek their permission for you to provide first aid
management
3. Do not move the casualty unless it is absolutely necessary
4. It is important that the whole process of responding to the casualty
occurs quickly so that assessment and management of the situation
may be carried out effectively.
5. First aiders should not administer first aid management beyond their
level of training and should weigh the risks involved in treating a
person against their own capabilities to provide safe and effective first
aid.

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 WRITTEN EXAM

A. ENUMERATION
1. What are the different types of emergency situation?
2. Give at least 3 causes of vehicle collision?
3. Role of first aider

4. Objectives of first aid

B. True or False

Instruction: Write T if the statement is correct and f if the statement is

wrong.

1. Not only is it important to reassure the casualty to make them feel

better, this also lowers the blood pressure and pulse rate and
therefore lowers the amount of bleeding and pain.
2. When offering any assistance to a casualty who is conscious, it is
important to seek their permission for you to provide first aid
management
3. Do not move the casualty unless it is absolutely necessary
4. It is important that the whole process of responding to the casualty
occurs quickly so that assessment and management of the situation
may be carried out effectively.
5. First aiders should not administer first aid management beyond their
level of training and should weigh the risks involved in treating a
person against their own capabilities to provide safe and effective first
aid.

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