More First Aid Tips Following New Dog Attack

As a three-year-old girl from Warwickshire begins to recover in hospital from her serious head injuries following an attack by a Dobermann Pinscher family pet, questions are (once again) being raised about the safety of children with dogs as well as what other First Aid tips would be useful.

It’s been reported that the girl suffered from head, neck and throat injuries in the incident that took place in the garden of her grandparents’ house.

Her condition was stabilised by a doctor from the Air Ambulance who arrived on scene in a helicopter. She was then flown to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham for further treatment.

Facial, head and neck injuries are always distressing for both the casualty and the First Aider or other medically trained staff dealing with it. There is no doubt the child would be distraught, as would the parents - so the first aid role is crucial in aiding the recovery of the casualty.

I’ve already posted some First Aid advice on this blog for such incidents, however it is worth pointing out the First Aid treatment for facial injuries.

First Aid for Facial/Neck Injuries:

First of all, the most important thing you must do once the injured person is free from danger is to get medical help, remain calm and show the injured person that you can help them by the actions you take.

Be firm yet comforting to your casualty. Reassure them with phrases like “I’m here to help” and explain everything you are doing or intend to do. DO NOT say, “Everything is going to be alright” because you don’t know if that is true or not. Everything might not be “alright”, especially if it results in plastic surgery or even death – and what you deem to be “alright” may be very different from what the casualty or bystanders deem to be “alright”.

Cover the injuries as quickly as possible to avoid further distress for either the casualty or witnesses. Be sure not to apply too much pressure over the area, especially around the neck (for obvious reasons!).

Avoid any reference within earshot of the casualty to the poor state of the casualty’s injuries or condition as this can (and probably will) affect their recovery. You’ll find everything you need to know on the impact of what you say and how you say it in my next book “Let’s talk First Aid” which will be out next year.

Let's Talk First Aid

For over 15 years I've been teaching people the importance of being mindful of the words you use at an emergency situation. Recently I discovered that there is real scientific evidence to support my beliefs.

Obviously, through my own experience I have been able to prove the point. But now I have found the solid evident. In the 1970’s a psychologist/psychiatrist by the name of Wright developed a programme for first aiders and tested it in the field. Using standard experiment procedures and controls, he trained three groups of ambulance attendants to carefully follow a simple protocol with all their casualties. These were:

1. Minimise crowd and noise

2. Communicate to the casualty with a simple paragraph, stated word for word

3. Eliminate unrelated negative conversation i.e. anything not relevant to what was said in paragraph 2.

The success of the experiment was unprecedented. It worked so well that even Wright said, “it was almost spoiled” because the paramedics involved that used the techniques could hardly resist telling those in the control group.

Every OPTIMUM Licensed Instructor teaches the techniques Wright had so diligently tested. Without these strategies your casualty's chance of survival decreases - and I know you will want to make sure your casualty has every chance of survival.

I have used the strategies for many years and am now in the process of writing a book on the subject including my experiences. One such experience that stands out for me is one that occurred at a School in the Netherlands. I was working there as a consultant and a woman collapsed in the dining hall. I went to help her and applied the techniques our instructors teach on their courses. This resulted in the casualty becoming calm and relaxed within less than one minute.

Then the most dreadful thing happened. A first aider burst into the room as screamed at the top of her voice "Where's the casualty?" She then ran to the casualty and screamed in her face "Where's the PAINNNNNN?" The casualty immediately began to cry and panic once more. I was left with no alternative but to deal with the so-called First Aider. T

his First Aider could claim to have "followed the correct protocol" for first aid. After all she had:

1. Assessed the danger and take control.

2. Identified the casualty.

3. Found out the source of the pain.]

However, she had also alarmed the casualty with her approach. I have always said that our job as First Aiders is to be casualty focused and driven, not procedure driven. This First Aider was procedure driven. If she had focussed on the needs of the casualty she would have been far more successful in her approach.

When you are dealing with First Aid Casualty's keep your focus on what the casualty needs from you - and often that is reassurance and a sense of calm.

Remember, Remember, 5th November, & Say "No" To Danger

BONFIRE NIGHT should be a wonderful and joyous event. To ensure that everybody enjoys the fireworks and treacle toffee this November, I urge you to gain some basic health and safety knowledge to reduce the number of accidents this year. With almost 990 people being injured by fireworks last year it's important to take care when dealing with fireworks and always make sure the bonfire is a safe distance from children, pets and adults alike.

Last year 50 percent of injuries were sustained at family and private parties - so organisers, please make a note of my top tips.

If you should find yourself in need of assisting someone in a First Aid situation please use this checklist to help you:

* Remember that our priorities are always DRAB

* Assess the situation and check for danger. The biggest danger is the fire and lack of control. Move people away from the area.

* The biggest risk on Bonfire Night is burns from the fire or from fireworks. Another risk is choking (unusual treats like toffee apples can get stuck in the throat).
Both types of casualtiy will also suffer from Shock.

* Choking casualties are always the number one priority, however you can get other people to help you. Cool water will help with burns.

* Choking casualty
Leaning the casualty forward, give them 5 slaps on the back.
If that doesn’t work, the give 5 abdominal thrusts – checking to see if the object is removed before each abdominal thrust.

* Burn casualty
All burns should be cooled for a minimum of 10 minutes – or until medical aid arrives. If a burn is bigger than a 50p piece, please seek medical advice.
A burn to the eye is extremely serious and additional assistance will be required - the casualty will suffer from severe shock, so lay the casualty down, give lots of reassurance and irrigate the eye until the emergency services arrive. Raise the casualty’s legs to promote circulation from the legs to the vital organs.

Some further tips:
1. Purchase good quality fireworks to avoid injury.
2. Avoid using any inflammatory liquids to light a bonfire.
3. Only use wood, twigs, branches etc for the bonfire, avoid throwing just anything onto the it – some materials are toxic when burned.
4. Never throw aerosols onto a bonfire.
5. Put one person in charge of the bonfire and one in charge of the fireworks. The person responsible should avoid drinking alcohol.
6. Light fireworks in an area cordoned off and where it is unlikely to cause damage to other things including sheds etc.
7. Buy some first aid equipment and keep it handy for the occasion. We recommend a substance called Burn Shield which is made up of 96% water and the rest is a gel. I recommend Burn Shield, which is placed directly over a burn and can be used instead of water. Some ambulance services in the UK use this product as it is extremely effective. And, because it contains no chemicals, it can be used on any burn in a first aid situation. If you would like to purchase the product it costs £4.50+VAT and is worth every penny. It can also be used for sunburn too! If you are unsure where to purchase these items, please visit our website shop.

Have a safe and enjoyable evening on 5th November.