The Role of the First Aider
The Role of the First Aider
First aid is literally the ‘first’ ‘aid’ that a sick or injured person receives on the scene before the arrival or assessment by professional medically trained personnel.
The Health and Safety Executive (First Aid) Regulations 1981 place a duty on all employers in the United Kingdom to make provision for employees who become ill or injured whilst at work.
The aims of the first aider are to:
- Preserve life
- Prevent the situation from becoming worse
- Promote recovery
These are known as the 3 ‘P’s.
Upon arriving at the scene of an incident, the first aider should:
- Assess the situation – check for danger; find out what has happened; see how many casualties there are.
- Protect from danger – remove the danger or remove yourself and the casualties from danger. Remember to protect yourself before others.
- Get help – recruit the assistance of bystanders. Call 999/112 for help, or ask bystanders to call for you.
- Prioritise treatment – if there are multiple casualties, go to the most urgent first (often it is the ones making the least noise who are in most need). If there are multiple injuries, treat the most serious first – ensuring Airway, Breathing and Circulation are in order. Reassure the casualty and provide support and comfort.
- Minimise infection risks – wear personal protective equipment where necessary (potentially including gloves or face shield). Wash hands before and after giving treatment, use sterile dressings (make sure they haven’t passed their expiry dates) and clean water.
Consent
Before touching a casualty you should seek consent from them and explain you are a first aider. Use simple language and talk calmly to them and reassure and seek permission before taking any actions.
Conscious
- You must ask the casualty for consent before touching them.
- Touching without permission could be seen as assault.
- If consent is refused but you consider urgent help is needed call 999/112.
Unconscious
- The law assumes consent is given for first aid purposes.
Support for First Aiders
First aiders are often called upon to attend traumatic incidents. Some people can experience a post event feeling of being overwhelmed or questioning or their actions. First Aiders should recognise the need to seek further support or professional help if these feelings continue.
Other ways to help yourself after a traumatic event can be:
- Time for self-reflection to recognise how you feel.
- Nominating a person who can offer peer support and opportunities to debrief.
- Formal support systems in the workplace that offer counselling.
- Signposting to outside organisations that can offer support.
