Roadside Tragedy: Father Gives First Aid to His Own Son

When learning First Aid it is important to realize that the new skills you learn are most likely to be used on a member of your own family. Reported in the Daily Telegraph this week, it became a tragic reality for the Marshall family.

If you didn’t read the article, here is a brief summary: 53 year old Guy Marshall had stopped at a road side motorcycle crash only to discover the dying casualty was his own teenage son, Thomas.

Mr Marshall, an Optometrist, had no idea that his 18 year old, A-Level student son had been involved in the collision when he stopped to help.

"When I arrived people had stopped but no one was tending to him," he is reported as saying. "I jumped out of my car to see if I could help and then realized it was my son.

"I supposed I instantly switched into lay responder mode but then was still aware it was my boy. Not an hour goes by that I don't think of being on that road with him."

According to the report, Thomas had a pulse and was still moving when Mr Marshall arrived on scene but Thomas was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived at the scene.

Mr Marshall is a trained First Aider able to deal with emergencies and his mother, Wendy is a practice Nurse. They have two older children Alex (22) and Sophie (19). Our condolences go out to the whole family.

This story has me in no doubt just how important our First Aid skills really are.

Perhaps you have been on a First Aid course because your employer asked you to attend. Perhaps you’re not convinced it’s a skill you will ever get to use. Perhaps you thought it was something you had to learn “just in case” it is needed in your workplace. Whatever your thinking, learning first aid is vital for everyone. It is a skill that once learned will stay with you for life. It’s a skill that you will be able to apply anywhere and everywhere.

We often tell our course participants that the skills they learn during the course are skills they are more likely to use with their own family members.

Mr Marshall’s son had a much better chance of survival with his presence than he would ever have had without him – after all you only have to read what Mr Marshall said “no one was tending to him (Thomas)” to realize how important immediate action really is in such a situation.

Would you want to be one of those bystanders, unwilling or unable to do anything? I know I wouldn’t. If it’s time to renew your certification or update your skills, do yourself a favor and book on the course right now while it is still fresh in your mind.

Would You Know How to Treat Cardiac Arrest? USA promotes National CPR/AED Awareness Week - 1-7 June 09

As the USA gears up for National CPR/AED Awareness Week from today 1st June through to 7th June 2009... a week dedicated by the US Congress to raising awareness... it made me wonder just how many of us really know what to do when faced with a family member/friend/colleague who has a Cardiac Arrest in front of us?
A Cardiac Arrest occurs when the heart stops beating. More and more businesses, schools and shopping centres have Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) on site, as research clearly shows that the prompt application of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR... that thing you do when you press on someone's chest and then breath into their mouth!) and an AED increase a person's chance of survival.

When a person goes into cardiac arrest, in most cases, the heart will fibrillate (this means it will shake; I describe it as "like a jelly, wobbling on a plate"). The only way to stop fibrillation of the heart is with a de-fibrillator (AED for short) An AED provides a carefully controlled, electrical impulse (shock) to the heart to get it to start working again. The prompt application of an AED with CPR can improve survival rates - that's why it is so vital that you, as a First Aider, call an ambulance as soon as you realise what is wrong with the person.

So let's work alongside our US cousins across the Big Pond, and update our knowledge on the treatment for someone in Cardiac Arrest. Ask your family members if they know...and if they don't know what to do, help educate them by explaining the importance of help and encouraging them to do a First Aid training course... your life might depend on it.

Until our next encounter... Keep happy, healthy and safe.

Enjoy Bonfire Night, without the risks!

It's that time of year again folks!

This is one of my favourite nights of the year - Full of fun and excitement, with a large bonfire to keep you warm and roasted chestnuts to keep you satisfied...and, of course, fireworks in amazing technicolour to keep you entertained. It should be a rewarding evening, full of cheer as it leads us into the Christmas period.

The only downside is... that this is the time of year when injuries increase.
With the majority of Bonfire Night related injuries happening at family or private parties (44.6%) I encourage people not only to take preventative measures but to learn a few basic first aid techniques with the publishing of our November 5th Essential First Aid Sheet.

Most people fail to act appropriately in burn cases - and are not aware of devastating effects of shock, resulting in severe implications for the casualty.

I've been quoted by the media as saying “If correct first aid is carried out immediately the short and long term effects of serious injuries can be greatly reduced,” and it is a fact.

In recent years nearly a third of injuries have been to the eyes. A burn to the eye is extremely serious and can have blinding results. Like most serious incidents, it is critical to treat the eye in an appropriate manner yet few people know how. The eye should be irrigated continuously until the arrival of further medical aid. Don't take any chances with the eyes, it has a lifelong impact.



For a free November 5th Essential First Aid Sheet contact OPTIMUM First Aid Training on 01244 342133 or email office.manager@optimum-training.com.

Wishing you a safe and happy Bonfire Night

Let Children Find Adventure in Playgrounds Not Construction Sites

With the summer holidays almost over it’s worth reminding the construction industry and parents to be alert and aware of the dangers faced by children playing on or near building sites in order to avoid having to put your First Aid skills into practice.

The nights are getting shorter but there is still lots of time after school for children to enjoy an evening of fun and adventure. However a construction site is not the place to seek such adventure as it too often ends in tragedy.

Understandably some children are drawn to construction sites as exciting places to play, but they are not playgrounds and playing on them can have fatal consequences. My own nephew had the experience of falling off a roof (one that he shouldn’t have been on!) when he was 13 years old. He broke his arm in numerous places from one fall. He has spent the past 5 years having operation after operation and has had his whole arm pinned back together (going through airport security is always a drama now, he tells me!) . At almost 19 years of age, he is still having hospital visits and operations… so it’s no fun after all!

Between 2001/02 and 2004/05, 3 children died and 235 were injured in construction areas*. In the majority of cases a few simple precautions would have prevented the incidents ever happening.

The following practical advice for parents and workers will help keep children safe:
Advice for Parents

Warn children against playing in dangerous areas, including building sites, especially if you live close to a site; Make sure you know where your children are going, and when they will be back; Encourage them to play only in safe areas such as playgrounds;

Advice for Construction Workers:
Never allow children to ride in construction plant machinery as this encourages the philosophy of “it’s a game/it’s play”. Lay heavy objects on the ground or fix them firmly upright so they cannot fall onto any unauthorised personnel and injure them; Look out for children playing around sites and take action if you see them;If you do see children on-site, immediate stop work and ensure they are escorted off site before you begin work again; Secure sites adequately when finishing work for the day, making sure all signs are in place and unobscured;

What to do if there is an injury on a constructon site
Immediately stop work.
For crushing objects, consider the length of time the person has been crushed and also any further injury that may occur by removing the object. As a rule of thumb, if it has pearced the skin or could be affecting vital organs, do not remove a crushing object.
Get help by calling the emergency services asap.

If it is a fall from a height, do not move the casualty, unless they can do so unaided. Treat any injuries as you find them.
Broken bones - keep still and prevent movement.
Major bleeding - apply direct pressure over the injury and then apply a dressing at the earliest possible time. Elevate limbs before commencing treatment.

As a First Aider, you should treat all your casualties for Shock. Anyone who has attended one of the OPTIMUM First Aid courses will know that Shock result in death. Give the casualty plenty of reassurance, using the "Let's Talk First Aid" technique and keep them warm. Make sure they are seen by medical aid.



* Health & Safety Executive

Burn Creams - To Use or Not To Use... That is the Question. Here is the Answer.

Last week “fake ads” supposedly advertising Bayer’s Burn Creams spread like wildfire across the internet. The ads depicting parents roasting their babies over fire, burning them with blowtorches or putting them on a stick like a marshmallow – I’m guessing the message is supposed to be that the first aid burn cream would protect them – has been rejected by the pharaceutical company Bayers as ads that would never have been approved.

Whether the adverts were real or fake, it made me think about the misconception the public may have regarding the use of burn creams. Burn creams should NOT be used as a First Aid treatment. In fact, they will only make the situation worse – think about it, have you ever put cream onto sunburn and felt like it is frying? If you have, you will know exactly how if feels… very PAINFUL. Burn creams are not FIRST aid, but do have their place for healing of burns. They are what I describe as FOURTH LINE Aid… in other words, they should only be used once the casualty has been seen by a doctor, when the worst is over and the burn has been cooled sufficiently. (First aid is First Line Aid, Ambulance is Second Line Aid, A&E is Third Line Aid and the Doctor is Fourth in line!) In cases where the casualty does not need to see a doctor then burn creams can be applied to help the skin recover. I suggest not less than 24 hours after cooling sufficiently.

The most important thing you can do is cool the burn. It’s even more important than gettiing help, because once the burn is being cooled then less damage will occur. Whilst cooling the burn, help can be called.

Advice on What to Put in Your Home/Holiday First Aid Kit

When I'm teaching a First Aid course, participants often ask me about their holiday first aid kit.

The big question is “What am I “allowed” to have in a First Aid kit? Can I have such things as:
Headache tablets, medication to prevent diarrhoea, calamine lotion, burn cream, sting creams, syringe etc?”

The simple answer is, yes, you can put whatever you like in a holiday first aid kit. Think about your family’s needs when you are on holiday - you know them better than anyone else, so you can decide what suits your needs.

A holiday first aid kit may contain items that are for use by you or your family; therefore you may wish to add medications in the kit. After all, you can’t sue yourself if it turns out you are allergic to any medication used! :-)

As I tend to enjoy adventurous, off-the-beaten-track trips, so I've used my personal holiday first aid kit as an example:

Sterile Dressings with a bandage attachment (medium & large)
Gauze x 5
Triangular bandages x 3
Plasters (a variety of sizes)
Safety pins x 6
Eye pads x 2
Non-alcohol based antiseptic wipes x 10
Sterile water x 2 (20ml each)
Micropor tape x 1
Blister plasters x 1 pack
Ice pack x 1

Medications:
Burn relief (a cooling bandage)
Paraffin gauze
Antiseptic cream
Diarrhoea prevention (or cure)
Painkillers
Sterile syringe (great for blisters)
Dental first aid equipment
Lavender oil (a little-known secret for dealing with insect stings)

Whatever you decide to put in your first aid kit for your own use is entirely up to you. For more information on any of these products either visit www.optimum-training.com or contact us on 0800 594 2134.

PLEASE NOTE: You cannot use the guidelines provided above for a workplace First Aid kit. Workplace First Aid must comply with legislative requirements of the country concerned. For more information visit the Frequently Asked Questions on our website.

Coroners Report on the Death of Six-Year-Old Pupil who Choked on Sausage

The sad death of Shannon Hennessey was recorded as "Accidental Death" at a Coroners hearing last month. The six-year-old pupil died after choking on a piece of sausage during lunch at Redhill Infants School in Castleford, Yorkshire (UK).

The Coroner, David Hinchliffe is reported to have reached the verdict after declaring that all that could have been done, had been done, to save her life.

Teachers, dinner staff and paramedics all tried to clear her throat and revive her on 8th November 2006, but she was pronounced dead after arriving at hospital.

It's a sad case because as a First Aider we try so hard in such situations, however, sometimes we have to come to terms with the fact that there is only so much we can do to help in an instance like this.

I'm sure the First Aiders concerned are deeply upset by the incident and I think it's vitally important that we recognise their bravery and courage in dealing with the child. For those who have seen a child choking on something, you'll know how terrifying it can be. We must congratulate the dinner lady who, even without formal training, had the courage to take action and help in this situation by carrying out the abdominal thrust.

In a First Aid situation, if a casualty is choking, the following action should be taken:

• Check the mouth is clear.
• Lean the casualty forward (child or baby: place over your knee, with the head lower than the rest of the body).
• Give the casualty 5 back slaps.
• If that does not work, give the casualty 5 abdominal thrusts.
• Repeat if necessary.
• If the casualty becomes unconscious, be prepared to resuscitate.

Please remember, in MOST cases, this simple procedure is VERY effective. Unfortunately, we rarely hear about the successful removal of an obstruction in a First Aid situation, yet it happens so often. If you have dealt with such a First Aid situation yourself, take the time to congratulate yourself on your action ... you are a star!


If you would like to see a demonstration of how to carry out the abdominal thrust,
please visit our website film demonstration

For an amusing demonstration of the abdominal thrust, try watching the movie "Mrs Doubtfire". The trailer can be viewed at New York Times Movies