Introduction
According to Kindersley (2009), first aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery. It includes initial intervention in a serious condition prior to professional medical help being available, such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) while awaiting an ambulance, as well as the complete treatment of minor conditions, such as applying a plaster to a cut.
In most cases, first aid is generally performed by the layperson with basic training in managing people requiring urgent attention. First aid, however, does not necessarily require any particular equipment or prior knowledge, and can involve improvisation with materials available at the time, often by untrained persons (Kerry, 2008).
Eastman (2012) stated that the importance of first aid in the workplace cannot be over-emphasized irrespective of the nature of the activities in the industry. First Aid incidents are often unpredictable and occur in all workplaces across all industries. Whether the industry is a high or low risk workplace, preparedness minimise risk hence it is important to adequately prepared to deal with first aid emergencies or in some cases enables people to avoid them all together (British Red Cross, 2010).
Origin of first aid
Skills of what is now known as first aid have been recorded throughout history, especially in relation to warfare, where the care of both traumatic and medical cases is required in particularly large numbers. The bandaging of battle wounds is shown on Classical Greek pottery from circa 500 BCE, whilst the parable of the Good Samaritan includes references to binding or dressing wounds (Pearn, 2014). There are numerous references to first aid performed within the Roman army, with a system of first aid supported by surgeons, field ambulances, and hospitals. Roman legions had the specific role of capsarii, who were responsible for first aid such as bandaging, and are the forerunners of the modern combat medic. Further examples occur through history, still mostly related to battle, with examples such as the Knights Hospitaller in the 11th century CE, providing care to pilgrims and knights in the Holy Land (Efstathis, 2009).
During the late 18th century, drowning as a cause of death was a major concern amongst the population. In 1767, a society for the preservation of life from accidents in water was started in Amsterdam, and in 1773, physician William Hawes began publicizing the power of artificial respiration as means of resuscitation of those who appeared drowned. This led to the formation, in 1774, of the Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Drowned, later the Royal Humane Society, who did much to promote resuscitation (Price, 2014).
Napoleon’s surgeon, Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey, is credited with creating an ambulance corps (the ambulance volantes), which included medical assistants, tasked to administer first aid in battle.In 1859 Jean-Henri Dunant witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino, and his work led to the formation of the Red Cross, with a key stated aim of aid to sick and wounded soldiers in the field (Eddison, 2011).
In 1870, Prussian military surgeon Friedrich von Esmarch introduced formalized first aid to the military, and first coined the term “erstehilfe” (translating to ‘first aid’), including training for soldiers in the Franco-Prussian War on care for wounded comrades using pre-learnt bandaging and splinting skills, and making use of the Esmarch bandage which he designed. The bandage was issued as standard to the Prussian combatants, and also included aide-memoire pictures showing common uses (Kerry, 2008).
In 1872, the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in England changed its focus from hospice care, and set out to start a system of practical medical help, starting with making a grant towards the establishment of Britain’s first ambulance service. This was followed by creating its own wheeled transport litter in 1875 (the St John Ambulance), and in 1877 established the St John Ambulance Association (the forerunner of modern-day St John Ambulance) to train men and women for the benefit of the sick and wounded (Fletcher, 2009).
Also in Britain, Surgeon-Major Peter Shepherd had seen the advantages of von Esmarch’s new teaching of first aid, and introduced an equivalent programme for the British Army, and so being the first user of “first aid for the injured” in English, disseminating information through a series of lectures. Following this, in 1878, Shepherd and Colonel Francis Duncan took advantage of the newly charitable focus of St John,and established the concept of teaching first aid skills to civilians. The first classes were conducted in the hall of the Presbyterian school in Woolwich (near Woolwich barracks where Shepherd was based) using a comprehensive first aid curriculum. First aid training began to spread through the British Empire through organisations such as St John, often starting, as in the UK, with high risk activities such as ports and railways (Sterba, 2010).
Aims of first aid
The key aims of first aid as summarised by Casey (2008) sometimes known as ‘the three P’s’ are:
- Preserve life: The overriding aim of all medical care which includes first aid, is to save lives and minimize the threat of death.
- Prevent further harm: Also sometimes called prevent the condition from worsening, or danger of further injury, this covers both external factors, such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm, and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous.
- Promote recovery: First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a small wound.
Qualities of a good first aider
Trained first aiders are expected to respond in a wide range of emergencies. They provide basic emergency care while waiting for professional help to arrive. According to Longphre and Petar (2007) a good first aider must:
- Be a quick thinker: First aid requires quick thinking. Regardless of the type of emergency, a good first aider has to think quickly and be ready to respond right away. A first aider cannot afford to lose even a few seconds. This is where the cliché: “every second counts” really does matter. It is easy to get baffled by all the confusion and high emotions during the situation. Hesitation, doubts, and uncertainty can be costly in first aid.
- Composed: When a good first aider approach an accident, it is important that he or she remain calm and never show panic. The victims and the people around, look at the first aiderfor guidance. When a first aider act in a calm manner, people will feel more reassured.
- Be a good decision-maker: A good first aider should be ready to make decisions within seconds. After a first aider assesses the entire situation and the victims, he or she should take an immediate decision. This is especially true if there are several victims, where the first aider needs to prioritize the victims depending on who needs treatment the most.
- Be resourceful: Ideally, a first aider needs to have first aid supplies and equipment when rendering emergency care. However, there are times when the required materials are not available. In these cases, a good first aider has to be resourceful by using whatever materials available in the surroundings.
- Possess leadership skills: Emergency situations are frequently marked by chaos and confusion. A first aider need to step up to lead and manage the crowd. Keeping the situation well organized and coordinated can greatly improve the outcome of the emergency care. Asking bystanders to help and delegating tasks to people around can also help in the immediate emergency care of the victim(s).
- Be sympathetic and reassuring: Victims of an accident need reassurance. In order to be reassuring, a first aider must show sympathetic and caring attitude towards the victim, aside from frequently offering reassurance. Tell the victim that help is on the way and that you are there to take care while waiting for help. This is a crucial quality when dealing with victims of emergency, especially among young children.
- Be skilled: A good first aider is expected to have the basic medical skills in order to care for emergencies. A good first aider must be equipped with the necessary skills to respond in various emergencies.
Relevance of first aid to the industries
Whether the workplace is an office or a construction site, it has two common traits – valuable employees who may be injured or become ill and the need to protect them with adequate first aid procedures. Whether employees work in a high-hazard or low-hazard environment, they face a variety of risks. Shock, bleeding, poisonings, burns, temperature extremes, musculoskeletal injuries, bites and stings, medical emergencies and distressed employees in confined spaces are just a sampling of the first aid emergencies which might be encountered in the workplace.
If an adequate training on first aid management is not provided workers who are not prepared to handle emergencies may leave injured or ill coworkers untreated until an ambulance arrives. In this condition a victim’s condition may worsen and injuries can become far more debilitating, which leads to greater medical costs and lost productivity. This makes it important to provide first aid and appropriate training to all workers in the industry. Effective first aid training keeping workers safe and well-trained(Kindersley, 2009).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (2008) require industries to provide first aid training to worker in even in the presence a nearby clinic or hospital. While safety always begins with prevention, not every work-related injury can be prevented. The primary first aid training goal should be to give employees the necessary tools and information they need to care for an ill or injured person, if necessary, until advanced help arrives.
Workers in the workplace must be aware of emergency contact information. It is best to post emergency procedures and emergency office contact numbers with first aid supplies or in another highly visible and accessible area. In every department, it is important to appoint an employee in each department to watch for hazards and evaluate its current first aid status. Set a deadline to report any hazards or first aid needs to a manager or supervisor for improvement or correction.
Since people tend to forget their first aid training over time, OSHA (2008) recommends refresher training should be conducted to recharge employees’ knowledge of first aid procedures. Keeping the workplace safe involves three basic elements: steps to prevent or minimize accidents, adequate first aid supplies and proper first aid training. The employer uses training to make sure its employees know what to do, how to do it and who is in charge in case a first aid or emergency situation occurs. Proper first aid training not only satisfies OSHA requirements, but fosters good will among employees, who recognize the care that their company expends to provide a safe and healthy environment for its most valuable asset: its employees.
The importance of first aid is in the industry cannot be over-emphasized. According Kindersley (2009), among the major benefits of first aid to the industry are:
- It affords workers the ability to provide help during various emergency situations. If a coworker ingests hazardous substances, or suffers health-related issues like a heart attack, or other accidents occur, workers knowledgeable in first aid becomes more than just another bystanders. Instead, they become an invaluable support not only to victims, but also to professional emergency responders and medical practitioners.
- First aid helps to ensure that the right methods of administering medical assistance are provided. Knowing how to help a person is just as important in emergency situations. As such, ineptitude and misinformation will not be of much help to a person in need of medical assistance.
- Knowledge in first aid also benefits the individuals themselves. Whether the emergency affects themselves directly, or involves people they live and work with, first aid stems the severity of an emergency in a given time and place.
Various businesses require their employees to be trained in first aid. The type and extent of the training depends on the job specifics. However, anyone who works in high-risk environments should have basic first aid knowledge. As such, many employees in factories, machine shops and industrial plants are provided with lessons in first aid procedures.
Accidents will always happen. Because of this, properly-trained individuals and the right first aid equipment help ensure better safety for everyone. Without the proper first aid, a simple injury could turn into something much more severe. Many fatalities resulting from accidents and emergency situations result from lack of immediate medical treatment. First aid doesn’t just facilitate recovery. It helps save lives.
Summary and conclusion
Good first aid management is important to the industry as it ensure that workers are effectively trained to handle emergencies that may occur in the industry in course of their day to day activities. First aid help in preserving life, preventing further harm and promote recovery and thereby safe man hour that can be lost as a result of poor management of emergencies in the industry.
The importance of first aid management to the industry makes it important that every employee in the industry should be trained in the management of first aid as it affords workers the ability to provide help during various emergency situations and ensure that the right methods of administering medical assistance are provided
References
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