1.1 Duty of case requirements

Duty of care is a legal obligation for you as a first responder to protect yourself, your casualty and others when providing first aid. Once a first responder decides to administer first aid to a casualty, they are obligated to provide a duty of care to the individual.  Duty of care in first aid entails offering reasonable treatment to the casualty to the best of one’s abilities and in accordance with their level of training. 

The first responder is obligated to uphold this duty of care until one of the following circumstances occurs:

• Another, more experienced first responder takes over.
• Medical assistance arrives.
• The first responder is physically unable to continue providing CPR.
• The situation becomes too hazardous to continue.

It’s important to note that breaching a duty of care can occur through either action or inaction (for instance, neglecting to act when the person’s condition worsens). In the workplace, the employer bears the responsibility of ensuring an adequate number of first aiders are appointed.

Key points to remember:

1. Adhere to the limits of your training when administering first aid.
2. Once you start administering first aid, you automatically assume a duty of care.
3. Complete any necessary documentation and maintain confidentiality.
4. Continuously update and enhance your skills and knowledge.
5. Regularly check and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the workplace.