TV Medical Drama's Criticised in Results of New Research

During almost every First Aid course that I teach I hear someone say "I saw this on TV, so it must be true". Many really people believe that what they see on TV is real, even when what they see is on a soap opera! I've always responded by explaining that it's not real life and sometimes they (the tv producers/researchers) get it wrong. Now I have the evidence that proves it.

Researchers and authors of a study of the most popular medical TV dramas, Andrew Moeller and R. Mark Sadler, MD, from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada will be presenting their findings at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, this April.

Andrew Moeller says, "Television dramas are a potentially powerful method of educating the public about first aid and seizures. Our results, showing that television shows inaccurately showed seizure management half the time, are a call to action.... the television industry to adhere to guidelines for first aid management of seizures."

The study centred around all episodes of the highest-rated US medical dramas: "Grey's Anatomy," "House, M.D.," and "Private Practice" and the last five seasons of "ER". Results show that in the 327 episodes, 59 seizures occurred. Fifty-one seizures took place in a hospital. Almost all first aid was carried out by "doctors" or "nurses".
The latest guidelines on seizure management were used to determine whether the seizure was handled appropriately.
The study highlights inappropriate practices in 25 cases, nearly 46 percent of the time. These bad practices include putting something in the person's mouth; holding the person down; trying to stop involuntary movements, occurred .
First aid management was shown appropriately in 17 seizures, or about 29 percent of the time. Appropriateness of first aid could not be determined in 15 incidents of seizures, or 25 percent.

So, overall, TV researchers need to focus on getting their information right.

So what should you do with someone who is having an epileptic seizure. Here's a quick guide:

1. Protect the casualty from danger, by removing any objects that might harm them. Protect their head by gently placing a cushion underneath it.
2. Do not restrain them in any way, simply allow the seizure to run its course.
3. When the seizure has stopped, carry out a full check of the Airway, Breathing and identify any other injuries.

Phone for medical aid only:

a. If, as a result of a fall, the casualty has sustained other injuries that require medical attention .
b. If the casualty has a second seizure (this is unusual)
c. If the casualty has never had a seizure before.

Never try to hold the casualty down, like you see on TV. And NEVER put anything in their mouth as they could choke on this.

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.

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

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