Accidents can be so overwhelming that it is difficult to determine what to do first, especially when somebody is injured. 'Keep your head and remain calm' is often the advice. That's certainly true. But cool and calm people who don't know what to do will probably provide as little assistance as those running away.
It is a sequence that we all dread most: a loud bang, a scream and then the sudden and deafening silence before pandemonium breaks out, more screams, more shouts and a shout for help. You can find a carbon copy of this sequence at almost any major incident. Only the next stage can differ, as people sometimes run away, while others will try to assist.
While life shouldn’t be predictable in the first place, it does help when certain events are followed by certain given steps. We all screamed out loud once, when we felt the need for a sweet and, every so often, we hand out gifts hoping to get a better favour in return. Adults shouldn’t be screaming for sweets in the first place, but if they should raise a voice in pain they would certainly appreciate somebody coming to their rescue. Regardless of how dangerous a workplace is, it is important that all staff know what to do if the unexpected happens.
The ABC of life
The moment you become aware that somebody has been injured, certain steps need to be taken. Most important is to establish whether the victim is conscious or not. If the latter, the 'ABC of life' kicks in i.e. bystanders need to determine a.s.a.p. if the Airways are clear, if the patient is Breathing and if blood is Circulating.
Once this has been established, a call should be made for assistance from professionals, unless the victim is suffering from a cardiac arrest or is choking. In these cases it is important to assist immediately before a call is made, as those first few seconds can be vital in deciding the final outcome.
IF a person's 'ABC of life' is not what it is supposed to be, they are often unconscious. Determining the reason why the person is unconscious can provide vital clues that can assist in improving the victim's condition. Looking for clues like objects in the vicinity that could have rendered the victim unconscious or empty medical containers are a good place to start. Witnesses can also play part.
What if many people are injured?
The 'ABC of life' comes in handy when only one person is injured. But in the case of several people being hurt it is more important to establish the '1, 2, life' situation,n before treatment is started as those crying out loudest do not always necessarily have to be those being injured most. The '1, 2, life' assessment should focus on the severity of the injury, i.e. is it not-urgent, urgent but not life-threatening, or life-threatening indeed? Only once this is clarified can treatment be started.
The assessment shouldn't take longer than one minute per patient and it should focus on things that easily reveal the severity of their situation. Victims suffering from breathing problems or massive bleeding should be considered to be in a life-threatening situation.
To determine who should be assisted first, each victim should be assessed quickly. This shouldn’t take more than one minute per patient.
Knowledge about the 'ABC of life' or the '1, 2, life' priorities should be as common as the national anthem or the line-up of the favourite sports squad. If one fails memorizing this knowledge, providing a blanket to keep people warm will provide some comfort. But by the same token you should ask yourself if 'comfort' is the only reason why you stick with your employer or current partner.
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