If you have ever provided first aid to a casualty, you’ll understand that a first aider can get an injury while administering first aid. When an emergency happens, an injured person becomes a casualty. During that emergency, many people may gather to view what is happening. The number of people gathering often surpasses those who are there to help.
Sometimes, getting first aid takes time because those people may not know what they are supposed to do.
However, first aid is initial skilled assistance given to a casualty before taking the person to a hospital for proper medical attention.
While administering first aid, some situations may likely expose the first aider to injury if there were no adequate precautions while doing first aid.
What can cause injury to the first aider and how to prevent them
DANGEROUS HAZARDS AND SITUATIONS.
The life of the first aider will be at risk of injury if the environment is not safe enough. Some hazards can injure a first aider. Those dangerous situations include
Electricity.
The casualty may have been under electric shock, and if the first aider is not careful enough, the shock will affect him. So, it’s good to spot electrical hazards and switch off their source to prevent electrocution before conducting first aid. Electricity shock can come from a downed power line. So check out for it and make a proper assessment before doing first aid.
Collapsed building.
If there is a collapsed building from the emergency, it will pose a danger to the life of the first aider. So, the first aider should spot it and takes the casualty to a safe place. No first aider should lose their life while carrying out first aid.
Unsafe movement.
Unsafe movement while carrying out first aid may likely cause injury. A first aider trying to cross a major road or a busy highway can result in a vehicular collision. Collisions with a vehicle can be fatal. So, carefully cross the road when it’s safe or possibly find an alternative way to follow that will not expose your life to harm.
Slip, trip and fall.
Spills on the floor or the ground may result in to slip and fall of the first aider. The object obstructing the way of movement may likely bring about trip and fall hazards. So, check your environment while walking and provide better routes to follow to prevent these trips, slips and falls.
Switch off the vehicle.
If a car is involved in an emergency, apply the brake and switch it off. Doing this will prevent the vehicle from any further movement down a slope.
Few other things to keep the first aider from being injured during first aid administration:
A FIRST AIDER MUST BE KNOWLEDGEABLE.
Knowledge will always stand the first aider out to deliver injury-free first aid. Refresher training will be a good fit for anyone already into first aid. A first-aider lacking the competency to carry out effective first aid is liable to be injured.
KNOW YOUR ENTRY AND EXIT TO THE SCENE.
Identify your entry and exit immediately so that you will not spend more hours trying to exit a place after doing the first aid.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
