What to do in an emergency?

Multi-power

Multi-power

Well-known member
I'm not much good with blood and guts
2 people I know have recently required a trip to A&E
It's focused my mind a bit
The truth is I don't really know what to do in the event of an accident
 
Sawdust said:
Go do a first aid course, I do a refresher every 3 years and it is amazing what you actually forget over the 3 years 👍
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I'd still be as much use as a chocolate frying pan
I'm far more useful getting hold of someone who is actually able to help
 
What I'm wondering is
When do you call an ambulance?
Or when do you drive the person to A&E yourself?
If you need an ambulance how do you best get them to wherever you are?
I remember a chimney fire and fire brigade couldn't find the farm entrance
 
You call an ambulance every time, unless the injured party says they are going to drive themselves, then offer to drive and it is best to have someone else in the car with you. Better safe than sorry. Usually around here they will send a policeman first, who then makes the decision as to whether to call the ambulance. You can call 999 in areas where there is little signal.
Rule 1. Dont move anybody unless not moving them will kill them (fire, landslide etc)
Rule 2. Do not remove helmets, gloves, boots.
Rule 3. If you come across an accident involving more than one person, look for the quiet one. Anyone screaming is conscious and lungs are working. This should be rule 1 really.

Download "what 3 words" on your phone. Do it now and then play with it to see how it works. It can find you within 3 metres. Write your 3 words down in your office, and by the main phone for others to use too.

The main thing to remember is it is better not to do anything than make matters worse. Getting help is vital. If you are not much good with blood, try and think of it as paint. If you breath through your mouth, any smell wont get to you.
You will probably be shocked and none of us make the best decisions then, which is why going on a First Aid course is a very good idea, it takes the edge off the shock knowing what to do. St John Ambulance Cymru do a free on line course which may be a good start for you.
 
Do go on a first aid course.

It may be surprising how you react in an actual emergency. Mrs SJY cannot stand any blood ‘n’ gore or bodily trauma on- screen (especially when it’s faked for a film etc) but she’s perfectly calm in an emergency. She’s even held the clamps in open-heart surgery before.

How do you do with something like a cow Caesar?
 
Slackjawedyokel said:
Do go on a first aid course.

It may be surprising how you react in an actual emergency. Mrs SJY cannot stand any blood ‘n’ gore or bodily trauma on- screen (especially when it’s faked for a film etc) but she’s perfectly calm in an emergency. She’s even held the clamps in open-heart surgery before.

How do you do with something like a cow Caesar?
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Caesar on a cow is absolutely no problems
I could easily shoot a beast , bleed it and hang it no problems
It's human blood that's the problem
Mandy had a Caesar. with child no 1, I wasn't allowed in the room as I'd have been a hinderance
I've been on several first aid courses
I understand the basics and what should or shouldn't be done
I'm simply not able to deal with such stuff, but I know people who can help, I know to phone and ask for help
I'm also aware if I phoned for an ambulance the operator will be able to explain what I need to do
My own blood is no problem either, if I cut myself I just carry on, if it's serious I put a bit of paper towel on it with tail tape
If it's really mucky I know to put some iodine or blue spray on it
 
I have what 3 words
I only ever use it to find somewhere
I will work out how to use it to find my location
I remember watching something about the Irish air ambulance and he said they can send you a text and once you reply they will know exactly where you are
 
Multi-power said:
I have what 3 words
I only ever use it to find somewhere
I will work out how to use it to find my location
I remember watching something about the Irish air ambulance and he said they can send you a text and once you reply they will know exactly where you are
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They can triangulate your position from the phone signal and which masts are picking up the signal, not sure how close that gets them but would general area.
 
truth is I'm the senior first aider in the foundry and seen some horrific injuries that no first aid training can prepare you for, but the main thing is in the name FIRST AID you are first on site and your job is to preserve life until the professionals get there , GO ON A FECKIN COURSE , it just might save a life one day , hopefully you will never use it but its there just in case 👍
 
the big one is if they are dead , you do them 30 chest compressions ( after you have phoned the ambulance ) and 2 breaths and you keep doing them until the boys in green or blue or black turn up ( ambulance , police , fire brigade) I once asked what happens if I break their ribs during compressions , to be told they are feckin dead I'm sure they don't care
 
One of the main reasons I'm asking is someone said it's a waste of time phoning for an ambulance as it takes too long, better to drive them to hospital yourself
I've had some experience of this myself, it would have been quicker to get to hospital on a push bike
 
A couple of years ago I was the first person at the scene of a road accident, one car, 2 occupants, hit a tree, this wasn't obvious initially, car looked like it was broken down, I passed it slowly, seen a male looking like he was on drugs, I was unsure if I should stop, only when I passed and looked back I seen the damage, so I stopped to help, he was just phoning the emergency service, he had little idea of where he was, I took over the call and gave the location etc, this I was obviously able to do, his wife had got out of the car and was laying on the grass verge, other than talking to her I didn't do much else
I felt pretty helpless, I really didn't know what else to do
I looked in my truck for something like a blanket or something for her but couldn't find anything
I really did feel pretty helpless
 
Multi-power said:
A couple of years ago I was the first person at the scene of a road accident, one car, 2 occupants, hit a tree, this wasn't obvious initially, car looked like it was broken down, I passed it slowly, seen a male looking like he was on drugs, I was unsure if I should stop, only when I passed and looked back I seen the damage, so I stopped to help, he was just phoning the emergency service, he had little idea of where he was, I took over the call and gave the location etc, this I was obviously able to do, his wife had got out of the car and was laying on the grass verge, other than talking to her I didn't do much else
I felt pretty helpless, I really didn't know what else to do
I looked in my truck for something like a blanket or something for her but couldn't find anything
I really did feel pretty helpless
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But what you did do did make a difference, you provided the location for the emergency services and you stayed with them. Carry a First Aid kit in your vehicle at the very least, chances are you'll never need it, but it's there if you do. Bandages and plasters in there will go out of date, but they're still better than nothing.
 
Multi-power said:
One of the main reasons I'm asking is someone said it's a waste of time phoning for an ambulance as it takes too long, better to drive them to hospital yourself
I've had some experience of this myself, it would have been quicker to get to hospital on a push bike
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I don’t suppose there’s any right answer to that. It all depends on how far ambulances are away, how busy they are and the nature of the injury.

If suspected someone was having a stroke and the ambulance was going to be ages I’d be inclined to drive them myself. Suspected neck fracture? Blood loss needing staunching? Probably not.

Probably best ringing 999 as a first port of call whatever. They advise when there’s an extended waiting time and if you’re going to drive the patient yourself, they can alert the A&E dept to your imminent arrival.

You’ve been on first aid courses, which is more than most people 👍.
 
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