[Closed] How many of you DON'T have first aid skills?

seconded.

I don't, should have really as part of my job at least. Instead we say, 'JT from Echo seven, code blue/red, G wing' Often wonder of the outcome if I'm ever in the coroners court because I (& lots of others) have had no training.

common sense and a level head can also go a long way.

What ton says.

Unfortunately Ton, sometimes common sense doesn't mean you'll do the right thing

Me. However like Ton, i do have a brain in my head.

common sense and a level head can also go a long way.

Unfortunately Ton, sometimes common sense doesn't mean you'll do the right thing

What you really need is good sense, a level head AND first aid training.

Common sense is rubbish sense because the type of sense that most people have is nonsense.

Knowing that you know what care you can provide to increase someones chances of survival is a good way of helping you keep a level head when the crap hits the fan.

very few people actually go and get 1st aid training unless their work or a qualification require it. Bit silly really, we do a sport where there is quite high risk of injury, and we venture to places where help can often take a while.

Everyone should take the time to learn the basics. I also think First aid training should be mandatory at school and a prerequisite to getting a driving license.

Having one seems spectacularly pointless unless it covers life threatening injuries and you practice and have assessed your responses to those situations on a regular basis.

Been a first aider at work for over 25 years and always handy to know what to do if the need arises

In July this year on my way to work just before 7am a young lady went into labour at the bus stop. Called an ambulance and ressured her, laid her down on the pavement and encouraged her to take deep breaths

Single paramedic in a car turned up and assisted him as the lady gave birth there and then before the ambulance arrived. Ended up holding a strangers hand whilst she had a healthy albeit premature little boy

Admittedly didn't have to do the medical bit, thought for a minute I would though. It's more about having the confidence in knowing what to do and staying calm in an emergency

Well worth doing the training and never know when you might need the skills

I've got first aid supplies, but neither they nor me with my lack of training will be able to help somebody in a life threatening situation, unfortunately.

Unfortunately Ton, sometimes common sense doesn't mean you'll do the right thing

But common sense would at least tell you that you should call an ambulance. Not sure how that would ever not be the right thing.

In our sport, I think one of the more important things that is often overlooked is knowing exactly where you are located and knowing how to communicate that information effectively when calling for help (added extras for identifying suitable vehicle/helicopter access). Otherwise, stop claret gushing out, open/maintain airway if unconscious, keep casualty warm. Little else that can be done in serious injury before the cavalry arrive.

Having one seems spectacularly pointless unless it covers life threatening injuries and you practice and have assessed your responses to those situations on a regular basis.

That's pretty much the first thing they teach you - DRABCD. The regular basis bit is why you have to re-do your training every couple of years.

I've done the training a few times now, and it's amazing just how clueless those with 'common sense', but who hadn't received training before the session can be. First timers seem to 'kill' their 'patients' much more often than those doing a refresher.

So in short, go on a course - it may save someone's life

Not sure how that would ever not be the right thing.

If, for instance, the patient was suffering from anaphylaxis and needed their EpiPen administering, they may well be dead by the time you got off the phone.

But you're right, usually the first thing to do after assessing the present dangers to the patient and yourself is to call for help. However if you have the appropriate training, your actions whilst the ambulance is getting there may well go a long way to saving the patient's life

I've not had training, but I have sense enough to phone for proper medical help, check the patient and put in recovery position, check airway, but if it was a motorbike accident, I also know enough to not attempt removing the crash helmet in case of spinal injury. I also have full GPS on my phone to give lat/long or OS grid ref. I can't think of much more I could do, other than apply an Elastoplast...

I don't hold a current certificate however I used to be a lifeguard and kept one current for years, probably been without for 4 years.

I feel I would be confident in a situation so do I need to get retrained?

Another good reason to be a first aider at work is the insurance cover

Means I am covered at all times in and out of work, not to be overlooked in these litigious times

A calm manner is very important, I am one of the first aiders at work, and have had to deal with amputation, machinery cuts, and a heart attack. An the thing which I theink has helped more than anything is to keep calm and reassure. With the heart attack when on the 999 call at no point did I let the patient know I believed he was having a heart attack. He may have suspected, but felt it was better to keep him calm and relaxed just very carefully described the symptoms and the operator asked me if I believed they were having a heart attack which I said yes.

It was a very intense period, but all was well in the end, although I effectively did nothing I hope a calm manner was as much a relief to the patient as anything else.

Count Zero, done numerous first aid courses, and prior to them I believed your 'don't remove the helmet' theory. However, I have been taught that it is a judgment call at the time. Do you let someone suffocate on their own tongue if unconscious or do you do the recovery thing and risk spinal damage? I don't think anyone has been litigated against in this country as yet for trying to help someone.
Having been in the odd 'first aid' situation over the years, if you only get training once every 18 months it is hard not to panick a bit.
God bless the Ambulance Service and Mountain (Cave for N. Yorks folk) Rescue, never seen them panick.

Do you let someone suffocate on their own tongue if unconscious or do you do the recovery thing and risk spinal damage?

THIS

Not much point not being paralysed if you're dead.

In fact, I think this thread is a great example of why people should do first aid training

Probably need to update my St Johns Ambluance First Aid certificate of 1983 vintage 😳

I'm sure a lot has changed but surely the way to make a sling and hospital corners hasn't?

Its not the skills that you have been taught that are important its how you react and put those skills into practice that matters.

I regulary attend incidents where the most qualified 'first aider' on scene is possibly achieving the least and just complicating issues with their demeanour and misplaced eagerness.

I urge people to become more confident in looking after themselves and others.

Knowing what I know about the ambulance cutbacks I genuinely worry for you all.

Glupton - what was the first aid situation you were presented with? What did you do?

I want to know if my non-first aid nonsense would've been the same.

Did a course back in year 9 or something at school. Luckily haven't ever had to use it, not have I known anyone who has, as I doubt we could remember any of it.

Another good reason to be a first aider at work is the insurance cover

Means I am covered at all times in and out of work, not to be overlooked in these litigious times

did a first aid course years age where the instructor spent quite a lot of time telling us about people who'd been sue'd after giving First Aid

He even talked about getting people to sign waivers before we did First Aid on them.. (assuming they were conscious!!)

did a first aid course years age where the instructor spent quite a lot of time telling us about people who'd been sue'd after giving First Aid

He even talked about getting people to sign waivers before we did First Aid on them.. (assuming they were conscious!!)

Your instructor was obviously a bit of a pillock then.
Having looked into this before on behalf of a friend, we pretty much concluded that no-one in the UK's ever been sued for administering first aid. This was a while ago so it might have changed by now but I very much doubt it.
This covers much of the law regarding rendering first aid to people:

I learnt the basics at scouts in 1989.

So does that still count?

If you've still got the badge on your shirt, it still counts.

I don't have...