Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)
  • Life saver training?
  • alanl
    Free Member

    After having an awful experience (again) last night at the pub, it got me thinking that I need some proper first aid / lifesaving training.

    Doing the pub quiz, usual jovial stuff, nothing too serious about it, the quiz man suddenly slumped and looked as if he had fallen sleep on the table.
    Turns out he had had/ was having an heart attack.
    I got him down, put him on his side etc, a couple of others said “let me through I’m first aid trained”. But they were truly useless, just saying get him on his side, support his head etc, but not being helpful in any other way.
    One chap was making sure he was breathing, he was, though only slightly, and he had a pulse.
    Anyway, he continued to deteriorate, until his breaths were non-existent. It was then that the Ambulance crew turned up, and started to do CPR.
    Why we didn’t do that beforehand I don’t know.

    Anyway, he survived the night and is now in a medically induced coma, with hope that they may start to bring it out of it tomorrow night.

    My main query, where to get some proper training, so I can cope better in such a situation, and if possible, could we get a group session, say in the pub back room, where 10 of us can get some proper info and advice on what to do in these situations?

    Thanks
    Alan.

    Drac
    Full Member

    Loads of companies supply First Aid courses now but I’d look at St John’s (they are very good at this) and certainly will do groups. The British Heart Foundation may also provide details.

    bigblackshed
    Full Member

    St Johns would be the first point of contact. First Aid at Work is different from Life Saving or Life Support.

    I teach water based life saving with the RLSS (Royal Life Saving Society) and Life Support up to Level 3. All courses will be more than a short group session in the back room of a pub I’m afraid. If you are going to do it do it properly, no point in being half arsed, it may be worse than not doing anything.

    You can also do additional courses that are tailored to outdoor / work / adventure / child or family based to suit your interests.

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    jonba
    Free Member

    One chap was making sure he was breathing, he was, though only slightly, and he had a pulse.
    Anyway, he continued to deteriorate, until his breaths were non-existent. It was then that the Ambulance crew turned up, and started to do CPR.
    Why we didn’t do that beforehand I don’t know.

    That sounds about right from the info you have given.

    If the casualty is unconscious then you check the airway (support his head bit probably), breathing and circulation. If they are breathing and have a pulse you don’t do CPR. You monitor them and wait for help (assuming there are no other injuries in the 2ndary survey). If the pulse stops/they stop breathing you start CPR.

    Anyway, he survived the night and is now in a medically induced coma,

    I hope he recovers. If you find yourself doing CPR on a person as first aider, chances are they will die so he has been quite lucky and the 1st aiders may have saved his life. You get a few days training, a cardiac specialist will have several years – don’t expect miracles.

    derek_starship
    Free Member

    Maybe you could have a whip round or organise a money raiser to get an AED in the pub.
    This along with first aid / basic life support training.

    90% of people who have an out of hospital cardiac arrest die. An AED can make a significant difference.

    Good on you for how you’re thinking.

    Hope the quiz master makes a full recovery.

    Drac
    Full Member

    Maybe you could have a whip round or organise a money raiser to get an AED in the pub.
    This along with first aid / basic life support training.

    Good call Derek.

    footflaps
    Full Member

    We have an AED at work now, they cost about £1200 IIRC. Good investment as they can make a big difference.

    KonaTC
    Full Member

    I have done the St Johns Ambulance 1/2 day emergency first aid course, really only covers the basics, but the tutor recommended the British Red Cross phone app

    http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/Mobile-app

    Admittedly not the same as having a paramedic and an ambulance full of kit but hopefully enough to help save a life

    bigblackshed
    Full Member

    Jonba.

    With the best intentions what you have written is not the current recommendation with regard to CPR. I’m not criticising, but the wrong info can cause more problems, or a least be ineffective. I won’t get drawn into a debate on it, but the best advice would be for anyone interested in learning Life Support / First Aid or refreshing their skills would be to get to St Johns and learn the latest advice and skills.

    An AED is a fantastic piece of kit as long as it’s used by trained operators. The last price I saw quoted was around the £1200 mark, that also included training for up to 5 people.

    An interesting stat I read a few weeks ago about trained A&E staff on finding a pulse on an unconscious casualty, 70% couldn’t located one! even though it was present. Which gives the occasional First Aid with rusty skills next to no chance.

    MoreCashThanDash
    Full Member

    I recently did the Red Cross 3 day First Aid at wok course – excellent course and excellent instructors. Really glad I volunteered for it.

    Red Cross app is excellent but not if you have a Windows phone.

    Terrified in case I ever have to use it, but confident that I’d be able to give it my best shot.

    Read your post properly now – think the Red Cross guy said they will come to you if you can get 12 people together for training? If it was in the back room of a pub suspect he’d do a better deal!

    Drac
    Full Member

    An AED requires no training that’s the idea behind installing the in prime locations across the UK. There’s a few near me and when someone calls 999 for what’s potentially an arrest they are given the location and the code to unlock it, the AED has clear instructions on and once fitted to the patient, switched on it’ll do what’s needed when needed.

    And yes Jonba you’re slightly off.

    qwerty
    Free Member

    A quick Google of sexy CPR should definately get a heart pumping 😉

    legolam
    Free Member

    The British Heart Foundation run free Heartstart courses around the country, just search for your local one on their website. If you do nothing else, please watch the BHF Vinnie Jones CPR advert that was run on tv a couple of years ago (you can find it on YouTube or on the BHF website).

    Drac
    Full Member

    [video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ2xNS0Sg48[/video]

    alanl
    Free Member

    Thanks for the replies, some good thoughts there.
    Ta
    Alan.

    freeagent
    Free Member

    If you are employed try and get your employers to put you on a first aid at work course.
    It used to be 4 days, but the one I did last year with St Johns was compressed into 3 longer days.
    It lasts 3 years and you then do a 1-day refresher/requalification.

    Failing that, a 1-day ’emergency first aid’ course is still worth it.

    I’ve had to use my training on a couple of occasions, and have used an AED – sadly that person died (my Nan) however it turned out she had a blood clot in her heart so was beyond saving.

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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