RJ Sullivan

First Aid at Work - What to Do When an Emergency Happens Part 4

Would you know what to do in an emergency situation at work?  Learn first aid skills including CPR and get certified by the Red Cross.  It could save the life of one of your co-workers some day.

Will you know what to do in an emergency situation at work? Knowing first aid and CPR could literally save a life someday. Get the proper training for every employee is critical. Here are some examples of how a trained employee can assist in an injury situation.

Choking

A considerable amount of eating and drinking occurs at work. At lunch and with snacks the threat of chocking is present. Especially, since we have a tendency to rush food at work. A victim of choking can die in a matter of minutes, so its important to act quickly. The proper response is the Heimlich Maneuver. It is designed to force air out of the victim's lungs and dislodge the object that is blocking their airway. Start by making a fist, your thumb on top, Put your thumb just below the victim's ribcage, Grab onto your fist with the other hand and make short thrusts, in and up into the victim's abdomen, Squeeze only with your forearms and hands (applying pressure with your upper arms could crack the person's ribs). Keep going until the object comes loose and the person can breathe again.

Breathing

If a victim stops breathing, emergency help should be called immediately and "rescue breathing" administered by a trained employee should commence immediately. Always known who is trained in your workplace and get them as fast as possible. Keep administering the "rescue breathing" until medical help arrives.

Heart Attacks

The older workers become the more vulnerable they are to heart disease. In a heart attack quick treatment is the key to survival. Some of the symptoms to look for are trouble breathing, tightening of the chest, nausea or indigestion or pale or blue skin that is cold and sweaty. If you see these symptoms, call medical help immediately. Help them sit using pillows or something similar for support and keep then comfortable. Ask if they are on heart medication and if they are get it for them immediately - if they are unable to speak check for an ID bracelet or emergency medical card. If their breathing stops, start "rescue breathing" immediately.

If the victims pulse is erratic or they have no pulse at all, they may be in sudden cardiac arrest. This is the time to use AEDs and CPR. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs 10,000 times a year on the job and if a victim has to wait for emergency personnel to arrive they have only a 5-7% chance of survival. However, with immediate treat the survival rate goes up to 60%. An AED can analyze the heart's rhythm and deliver an electric shock to restore it to normal. Every workplace should be equipped with an AED and as many employees as possible should be trained to use them. They can literally save a life. Many AEDs have voice prompts to help the employee.

If there is no AED available, then it's time to start CPR. Everyone possible should be trained in CRP at your workplace. There are two types of CPR approved by the American Heart Association - the traditional method using thirty chest compressions and two breaths and the newer method that eliminates the breathing and calls for 100 chest compressions for minute. Roughly at the beat of Staying Alive by the Bee Gees. Whatever method is used it should be administered until the paramedics arrive.

First aid is all about preparation. Every employee should take a first aid class and learn about AEDs and CPR. If you are prepared, you can think and act quickly in an emergency and maybe even save a life.

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