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Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was essential for first aiders to adhere to ‘standard precautions’ to safeguard themselves against cross-infection when administering first aid.
Providing first aid inherently carries the risk of disease or virus transmission between the patient and the first aider, or vice versa. The level of risk varies depending on the circumstances, with greater risks associated with situations involving mouth-to-mouth contact (such as CPR) and exposure to exhaled air, blood, oral secretions (like saliva), stomach contents through regurgitation, and foamy fluids (typically from the lungs in drowning incidents).
However, by implementing standard precautions, typically involving the use of personal protective equipment in most first aid scenarios, these risks can be minimized.
Standard precautions are a set of work practices, used to minimise the risk of exposure to blood and / or body fluid substances and are required for the basic level of infection control practice.
Standard precautions include:
Washing and drying hands before and after contact with a casualty. Cover cuts with a waterproof dressing.
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), for example, gloves, facemask, and eye protection goggles.
In the community, a resuscitation mask can be placed over the casualty’s mouth and nose, with the narrow end covering the bridge of the nose. Adjust accordingly to create a strong seal, using the strap if available. These masks are very effective in increasing oxygen to the patient from rescue breaths and in reducing risk of cross infection.
Remember:
Seek medical advice if you have been exposed to a person’s body fluids or
received a needle stick injury.
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