THREATMENT AND AFTERCARE

THREATMENT AND AFTERCARE

Relaxed way and efficiently, treat each condition found. Pay attention to the casualty’s remarks or requests. Reassure the casualty constantly, but do not pester him or her with questions.

Establishing treatment priorities Follow this order as applicable; your own common sense and judgement will distance modifications.

• Follow the ABC of resuscitation.

• Control bleeding.

• Treat large wounds, burns, and fractures.

• Look for and treat other injuries or condition

• Treat for shock.

While giving the necessary treatment, help the casualty into a correct and comfortable position. Do not let people crowd around, Use your judgement to decide whether the casualty needs medical treatment and, if so, what level of attention is required. If you have to summon help, send someone else to do so whenever possible, in case the casualty’s condition alters or worsens. Stay with the casualty until the doctor or ambulance arrives.

• Don’t give anything by mouth to a casualty who is unconscious, who may have internal injuries, or who may require hospital treatment.

• Do not send anyone home who has been unconscious for longer than three minutes, has had severe breathing difficulty, or has displayed the features of shock.

Dealing with the casualty’s belongings

If you have to search a casualty’s personal belongings, do so only in the presence of a reliable witness. Take care of any property found, and hand it over to the police or ambulance personnel. Make sure someone accepts responsibility for getting a message to the casualty’s home, If involved, the police will do this – if not, volunteer your help.

Arranging for further care

Depending on your assessment of the casualty’s condition, you may:

• Dial 999 for an ambulance.

• Arrange transport to hospital by ambulance or other suitable vehicle.

• Hand over the casualty to the care of a doctor, nurse, or ambulance officer.

• Take the casualty to a nearby house or shelter to await medical help.

• Call the casualty’s doctor or any doctor for advice.

• Allow the casualty to go home, accompanied if possible, Ask the casualty if someone will be at home to meet him or her, or if you can help arrange this. Advise the casualty to see a doctor.

PASSING ON INFORMATION

Having summoned medical aid, make notes, if possible, so that you can pass on all the information you have gathered about the casualty. Always include a record of the casualty’s pulse, breathing, and level of response, made at least every 10 minutes for as long as he or she remains in your care. You may wish to check more frequently if the casualty is in a critical condition, The observation chart overleaf, which is recommended for use by all three Voluntary Aid Societies, will enable you to note your findings clearly.

Make a brief written report to accompany your observations. A record of the timing of events is particularly valuable to medical personnel. Note carefully, for example, the length of a period of unconsciousness, the duration of a fit, the time of any changes in the casualty’s condition, and the time of any intervention or treatment. If possible, stay with the casualty until help arrives, or accompany him or her to hospital, so the you can hand your notes over personally.

Making a report

Your report should include;

• The casualty’s name and address.
• History of the accident or illness
• A brief description of any injuries.
• Any unusual behaviour.
• Any treatment given, and when.
• The following observations, recorded every 10 minutes:

Pulse Take the pulse at the wrist (the radial pulse, or on a baby’s upper arm. Note the rate over one minute, and whether it is weak or strong, regular or irregular.

Breathing Count the number of times the casualty breathes over one minute, and note whether breathing is quiet and easy, or noisy and difficult.

Level of response Measure and record the responses the casualty makes to certain stimuli in the three categories given on the chart overleaf.

Should speak clearly and directly, close to the casualty’s ear. Apply a painful stimulus by pinching the skin, or by squeezing the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel.