Training REPOST 1: Dealing with an unconscious patient. This patient has been very obliging and collapsed on his back. We will discuss at a later stage how to cope with patients that have not been so obliging. An acronym used by most Medical Organizations is: DRABC or DR ABC. D: is for Danger. This applies to any casualty you may be approaching for the purpose of offering First Aid. Whilst the patients welfare and safety is important, it is also essential that you safeguard yourself and bystanders from becoming additional casualties. The danger can come in many forms, certainly if you have not witnessed the collapse. i.e.: Has he been electrocuted and still holding a live cable. Has he been stabbed and there is a knife in the vicinity where you are about to kneel. Is there an assailant still in the area. Are there needles in the area or in the patient. In an RTC are you safe from other vehicles, is there is a risk of fire or explosion. If he has fallen or something has fallen on him, are you safe from other falling objects. If he has been attacked by an animal, has the animal now left the area. R: is for Response. You can look for a response from the patient in 2 ways. 1) Response to sound: Kneel down and with your mouth close to their ear,ask the patient to open their eyes. 2) Response to touch: Tap their shoulders, with a baby stroke the sole of the foot. A: is for airway. Check that the airway is clear of obstruction, including an obstruction by the tongue. Only remove obstructions with your fingers if save to do so. If they have suffered any form of trauma allow that whilst the airway still needs to be checked, do not compound any potential injury by being too forceful in your actions. B: is for breathing. Place one hand on the patients forehead and 2 fingers under the point of his chin. Gently tilt the head back. Place your ear close to their mouth and listen for 10 seconds to determine whether or not he is breathing. He should take 2 to 3 normal breaths in that period. Be aware that if he is showing signs of agonal breathing, an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by gasping, laboured breaths and strange sounds, he should be deemed as non breathing. Whilst listening for breathing also be alert to the feel of his breath on your face, and be looking down his chest and stomach for signs of movement as he breathes. C: is for circulation. Check for a pulse, signs of a heartbeat or colour of skin in extremities. In realty, this is not crucial as you may not know how to check his pulse, and may have already satisfied yourself that he is breathing (or not). We shall cover the action required with breathing and non breathing casualties in later posts.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 05:19:38 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015