5S Red Cross First Aid Day

On Friday 31^st of August we had a full day’s First Aid course, to fit in with our current health unit on “Injury Prevention and Safety”. Louise, from the Red Cross came in to work with us and to show the basics of how to be a “people saver” and administer first aid, if it is required.

One of the most important things that she taught us, was what DRSABC means and how we need to follow this in any first aid situation:  

D for danger

R for response
S for Shout/Send for help
A for airway
B for breathing
C for circulation.

We also looked at what to do if someone is bleeding and there is an anagram we use for that too, RED.

R for rest and reassure

E for expose and elevate
D for direct pressure and dressings.

Bleeding noses are pretty common in the playground so it was good to know that we don’t lean the person’s head back, but instead lean it forward and pinch the nose. If it keeps bleeding for half an hour or more, continuously, you need to get medical help.

For choking, you firstly let them try and cough if they can do so. If they can’t, use the heel of your hand (or bottom of the hand) and hit between the shoulder blades 5 times. If nothing comes out, stand sideways, put your hands around the patient’s armpits and put one hand in a fist. Then, with the other hand, clutch fist, and pull patient inwards 5 times. If still nothing comes out repeat till it does. If patient is too big, make him kneel down. For thrusts, put one arm over shoulder.

Finally we looked at poisons and bandaging.

We all had heaps of fun and we learnt a lot and now we all know how to save people if they are in trouble. Don't forget to check out the photos of us in action, in our star gallery!

By Andrew and Oliver