First Aid Kit - Page 2

Rogue Wave · 29 March 2004, 22:56

Doctors eh! what do they know!

John Gore · 30 March 2004, 05:36

Could somebody tell me the correct way to use a survival bag?

Do you put the casualty in it and close it around their neck, so you can monitor them, or do you completely enclose them in it bearing in mind that 2/3rd's of body heat is lost through the top of the head?

I've asked various "medical" people and they all have differing opinions

Aging Youth · 30 March 2004, 05:46

Hi John,

I have always been taught to place casualty in side the bag up to his neck, if you have a Hat/Scarf or anything to keep head warm will do the job.

If you place casualty inside completly, there is now way of monitoring there condition, and there is a slight chance of lack of oxygen as the bag will soon fill up with bad air being expired by the cas himself. This could cause major problems like suffercation.

DM is the man to ask as he is a PARAMEDIC.

Cheers

tim griffin · 30 March 2004, 05:54

the tpa that i use on the boats is like a sleeping bag so yes, does go over the head, as you rightly said 2/3 rds of body heat is lost via the head. they only cost a fiver. the medi wrap blanket also comes in a hooded version available at Halfords or the RYA
chief instructor for first aid.

going back to lotions and potions re the asprin administered by the paramedics. they are medically qualified after two years more or less training, so they can make that call , like JON BROOKS
i teach first aid and lifesaving but i can not train you in diagnosing a condition and the appropriate medication to administer ,no first aid course from the one day to the five day can give you sufficient knowledge to administer drugs please think carefully before going down this road.the ABC of first aid is the cornerstone of a lay non medicaly qualifed firstaider if its more serious get professional help.
tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

Jon Brooks · 30 March 2004, 06:53

Cod

I think that people saying don't is because that is what we are trained to do.
I always ask first but its not always the first thing you think of if its not something you do on a regular basis.

I am affraid I blame the Yanks, more and more people will sue you if you get it wrong.
You may well save their life but if you cripple them in the process you could find yourself in court.

I and other that are involed in the medical field either full time or part time, like me, are covered by insurance as long as we do it by the book.
If we don't they would drop us like a hot spud.

Joe Blogs on his boat with a few mates is unlikely to have that sort of back up so best advice is only do what your trained to and only give what you are allowd and insured to.

Its all well and good being the hero and over stepping the mark but where are you if it all went wrong?

Yes I do think everytime before I step in sorry but it is the world we live in today.

Also what is the very first rule of first aid..............Self preservation

Kind regards

Bilge Rat · 30 March 2004, 07:04

So Jon what your saying is that we cant perfom emergency trachiotomy on our crew any more :-(

Rat

Jon Brooks · 30 March 2004, 07:06

Rat

Do me a favour if you are and I happen to be on you boat please let me dive off first!

Regards

Suzuki416 · 30 March 2004, 07:26

Ah,

the many uses of a BIC biro!!!

Strange no one had this in their first aid kit.

Pete

Mark Halliday · 30 March 2004, 08:07

My wife was always taught to go home from work in civvies not uniform, as she would be singled out and expected to help in the event of an accident, therefore leaving herself wide open for court action if anything went wrong. This was back in the late 70’s.
Helping strangers is a hazardous business and should be avoided at all costs. As I see, do what you can to make the patient comfortable (pillow, blanket, kind words) put in the recovery position if you know how, or better still leave well alone (head, neck and back injuries) and shout for professional help - LOUDLEY.

Jon, it is reassuring to know that when I fall over in the bar at Ribex you will be around. Does the Book have a section on strong black coffee?

Can I bring this back to the second part of my original question.
What are the non-life threatening injuries associated with ribbing? What has happened to you or on your boat that would require basic first aid? Or is ribbing as safe as going to the shops in an armoured vehicle?
I am talking about things that you would not bother your local G.P. or A&E with if they happened at home. The lists of things above are all in the first aid kit under the sink at home next to the Domestos and bleach.

DM · 30 March 2004, 11:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Manos
So far no one has died from taking aspirin!

Not true Manos. Aspirin has killed quite a few. It is an effective drug in cases of heart attack in a dose of 300mg. The problem is in making a correct diagnosis which without access to an ECG reading/BP measurement/enzyme count/case history and a knowledge of the signs and symptoms would be difficult. A casualty complaining of chest pain is not enough. There are other conditions which mimic AMI(acute myocardial infarction). Another consideration is the contra indications for giving Asprin which are:-

A known allergy to aspirin.
Casualty is already taking anticoagulants. e.g. Warfarin
Recent surgery
History of subdural haemorrhage.eg stroke patient
History of ulcers.

The law states that you should only offer help up to the level you have been trained in and no court would convict you unless you exceeded your capabilities and your actions were irresponsible.

Someone in an earlier post said that for the layman, the ABC(Airway, Breathing, Circulation) of resuscitation is the way to go and this is correct.

Keep the air going in and stop the blood coming out until help arrives and you won't go far wrong.

And could Suzuki 416 please keep away from me with his Biros.

DM

Pete7 · 30 March 2004, 11:28

Quote:

And could Suzuki 416 please keep away from me with his Biros

and his prop

Jon Brooks · 30 March 2004, 11:41

and his radio!!

Least we sorted that for him

Regards

Manos · 30 March 2004, 11:46

Quote:

Originally posted by davidmanning
Not true Manos. Aspirin has killed quite a few. DM

Learn something new every day

Jon Brooks · 30 March 2004, 11:48

My Mrs stops breathing if you give here Asprin.

Thinks.........insurance money.......new boat.....no..nagging.......

BRB of to my grab bag for the Asprin

Regards

Slaphead · 02 April 2004, 11:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Brooks
Cod

I think that people saying don't is because that is what we are trained to do.
I always ask first but its not always the first thing you think of if its not something you do on a regular basis.

I am affraid I blame the Yanks, more and more people will sue you if you get it wrong.
You may well save their life but if you cripple them in the process you could find yourself in court.

I and other that are involed in the medical field either full time or part time, like me, are covered by insurance as long as we do it by the book.
If we don't they would drop us like a hot spud.

Joe Blogs on his boat with a few mates is unlikely to have that sort of back up so best advice is only do what your trained to and only give what you are allowd and insured to.

Its all well and good being the hero and over stepping the mark but where are you if it all went wrong?

Yes I do think everytime before I step in sorry but it is the world we live in today.

Also what is the very first rule of first aid..............Self preservation

Kind regards

Slaphead · 02 April 2004, 12:18

One of the principles of first aid I remember is to do no further harm to the casualty.A conscious casualty can only take their own medication and treatment to be given with their consent.I try to keep things simple-loads of military field dressings,bottle of water for flushing wounds,plasters,roll of cling film for puncture wounds.Breaks of upper limbs are dealt with by tucking affected limb into a fleece or coat for support/lower limbs by immobilizing both legs to a paddle.A shelter tent is good for keeping a casualty out of the cold environment- 3 people fit in it and when not in use it is light and compact.I also carry a small burns kit made of fire gel which you get in small bottle form or impregnated in bandage.