UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTY

1. UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTY GFA – FIRST AID COURSE - UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTY 01-2013

2. What you will learn • How to recognise an unconscious casualty • How to treat an injured unconscious casualty

3. Introduction An unconscious casualty is in danger of suffocation for two reasons The tongue can fall back blocking the airway The casualty may vomit into their lungs if laying on their back 3-4 minutes lack of oxygen to the brain causes irreparable brain damage!

4. Fact Did you know the most common cause of death by suffocation is the tongue! 1. American Heart Association June, 2011

5. Are you ready to learnhow to save a life? Imagine the feeling of being part of a group of people who can sustain life by learning simple life saving skills

6. Who needs The Recovery Position? An uninjured unconscious casualty An injured unconscious casualty

7. What does the Recovery Position do? • allows the tongue to fall forward • allows blood & vomit to drain out

8. Are you ready to learnhow to save a life?

9. Priority of First Aid

10. Danger

11. Response

12. Airway

13. Breathing • If your casualty is NOT breathing, do CPR • If you casualty IS breathing, prepare to put them • into the Recovery Position

14. Head to Feet Check Check the body from head to feet for injuries

15. An UNINJUREDUnconscious casualty Pick up the outer leg under the knee Keep hold of the knee

16. Recovery Position Place the arm nearest to you out at a right angle. Bring the other arm across the body. Hold the back of their hand across the cheek.

17. Recovery Position Roll the person towards you by pulling the leg over. Check there is no pressure on the chest Check the head is tilted back to keep the airway open

18. Final Recovery Position Adjust the upper leg as though the casualty is walking up the stairs. Tilt the head back to open the airway.

19. Second Head to Feet Check Do a second head to feet check for injuries. Start with the back of the head & work your way down their back finishing at their feet.

20. An INJUREDUnconscious Casualty Check head to feet for injuries Decide WHICH side you are going to turn your casualty on to Do not treat injuries

21. Which Side? • Which side should you put this casualty who has one of these injuries? • 1. Broken Left leg? • 2. Broken Left arm? • Right sided chest injury? • Blood coming from • the right ear?

22. Which Side? • Which side should you put this casualty who has ALL of these injuries? • Left sided leg • Arm • Head • AND • right sided chest injury?

23. Which Side? The side of the chest injury A chest injury is life threatening, a broken leg can mend

24. Which Side? As a general rule place most casualties onto the INJURED side

25. Treat Injuries Now they are in the recovery position it is safe to treat the most serious injury first: Airway/Breathing Bleeding Broken bones Make sure the head is tilted back & the mouth is facing the ground

26. Vomit If they begin to vomit put them in the Recovery Position IMMEDIATELY

27. Neck & Back Injury A casualty with a possible neck or back injury MUST be put in the Recovery Position

28. FAQ’s Why do I have to lift their head back after putting someone in the Recovery Position? To allow the tongue to fall forward so it does not block their airway. Should I try to talk to the person? Yes, talk to the person & reassure them. Even though they might not respond to you, they may still be able to hear what is going on. 3. Can I do harm to the casualty? Leaving them on their back may cause them to die. You will give them a chance of survival if you put them in the Recovery Position, regardless of what injuries they have. 4. Can I get sued? Only do what you have been trained to do. Our training methods are approved by the European Resuscitation Council & are used by medical professionals on a daily basis.

29. Test Your Knowledge Cover up the answers: If your unconscious casualty is on their back, & they begin to vomit when should you move them? Immediately, your priority is to keep them breathing. If your casualty is not breathing should you do CPR or put them in the Recovery Position? You should do CPR. Your priority is to keep them breathing 3. What 2 reasons do we move an unconscious casualty? 1. To stop the tongue blocking their airway 2. to stop vomit going into their lungs If I think the person has a back or neck injury, should you put them in the recovery position? Yes. Your priority is to keep them breathing. Try to keep their neck & back in a straight line when turning them. If possible, get someone else to help.

30. Test Your Knowledge What side would you put the following unconscious patients? vomit

31. GIFT OF LIFE CERTIFICATE Name: ………………….…..…………………. Date: ………….....…...................…………… Has attended training in The Recovery Position As volunteers with Global First Aid we promise to pass our knowledge of life saving skills to others. To continue to refresh our knowledge & make a difference to someone’s life Signed ………………………..………………………. Karen Winter (Founder/State Registered Paramedic) The aim of our charity is to spread the teaching of first aid globally. It is important for us to know how many people are being taught by our organisation. Please email/contact us with your name, country, date of training & name of your teacher info@globalfirstaid.org Update your knowledge by downloading FREE training material from our website www.globalfirstaid.org We welcome your suggestions on how to improve our organisation. Our Charity relies on donations to survive & save lives THANK YOU

32. RECOVERY POSITION