It is important for all workers to have basic first aid skills. You can ensure you keep up-to- date with information about first aid and related training by going to the St John’s Ambulance website (http://www.stjohn.org.au).
A component of first aid that is particularly relevant to services for homeless people is the St Johns Action plan for resuscitation — Danger, Response, Airways, Breathing, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Defibrillation (DRABCD) which will be described briefly below*.
Please note this information is not a substitute for first aid training.
Check for danger, to you, to others, to the casuality. For example, if this is a drug overdose, you must protect yourself from needle stick injury. Do not re-cap the needle, dispose of the needle safely.
Establish if the casualty is conscious or unconscious. This can be done by gently shaking the person’s shoulders and calling his/her name to see if he/she responds. If there is no response, and there is someone else nearby, ask them to call an ambulance. If you are alone with the casualty act quickly to check airways.
Check airways to remove any foreign matter or obstructions.
Check breathing for up to 10 seconds. Is the chest rising and falling? Can you hear the client breathing? Can you feel the breath on your cheek? There should be a minimum of two substantial breaths within 10 seconds.
If client is not breathing (i.e. less than 2 substantial breaths within 10 seconds), roll onto back, supporting the head. Make a pistol grip with thumb and index finger, roll remaining fingers into hand. Place thumb and index finger along the jaw line keeping other fingers away from the soft tissue of the neck. Place other hand on the forehead. Gently lift jaw and tilt head back. Seal the nose with thumb and index finger (hand that is on forehead). Open mouth wide enough to make a seal of the casualty’s mouth. Give 2 initial rescue breaths. Check for signs of life (warmth, colour, breath) for up to 10 seconds. If there are no signs of life, commence CPR.
Only stop CPR if signs of life return, if there is someone else to take over CPR, medical aid arrives and takes over or if physically exhausted.
If casualty recovers:
When ambulance arrives, defibrillation can be done.
*NB: As a result of international research conducted by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines were changed in March 2006. Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR) is no longer recommended, however if you are familiar with EAR and feel comfortable using it, you may do so as it will not place the casualty in danger.
St Johns Ambulance. Brochure: Participant Personal Record Form
Australian Resuscitation Council — Guideline Changes 2006. Presentation by Christine Lethlean from the Drug and Alcohol Office, 2006.
Drug and Alcohol Office of WA (in press) Crisis Referral Tool for AOD Services: The Drug and Alcohol Office: Perth, WA