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.