Menu
It is important that a first aider understands how to evaluate the scene of an emergency as they approach the sick or injured using a hazard identification. This is called a risk assessment. A risk is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experienced an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard.
In practical terms, a risk assessment is a thorough look at your workplace to identify those things, situations, processes, that may cause harm, particularly to people. After identification is made, you evaluate how likely and severe the risk is, and then decide what measures should be in place to effectively prevent or control the harm from happening.
There are many different types of hazards in the community and depending on what the first aid situation is, you may not be able to complete a documented risk assessment, however, you will go through the same process of:
| Examples of hazards | Risk/s | Examples of how to minimise risks |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive behaviour | Being attacked | Be calm, reassuring, get help from others, don’t continue if casualty remains aggressive. Move away to a safe distance. |
| Body fluids, such as blood | Being Infected | Wear PPE when possible and if available:
|
| Lifting or moving heavy objects or casualties | Back injury | Ensure safe manual handling where possible:
|
| Fire | Being burnt, risk of explosion, falling or collapse of building, smoke and being trapped. |
|
A DRSABCD priority plan will assist you to prioritise your actions, including the primary assessment of the casualty for any life-threatening conditions and what management to put in place. It should be where you start at any scenario, so it is very important that you are familiar with the Priority Action Plan.
Check for danger!
Take special care if you need to move or lift a child (1 to 8 years) or (baby under 1 year old) and ensure that you support the child’s and baby’s neck and spine.
Check if the person is responsive to your voice or touch.
Call triple 000 for an ambulance
Check the airway
When checking an infant’s airway:
An infant’s airways are smaller and more prone to blockage and the trachea is shorter and softer so over extension of the head and neck will compress the airway.
Check breathing – for no more than 10 seconds!
Open AED and turn on.
Western Australia Campus Address:
Level 6, 202 Pier Street, Perth WA 6000
South Australia Campus Address:
Level 1, 144 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
