LO1: Be able to assess scenes of accidents to identify risks and
continuing dangers
Assessing the scene of an accident
Hazards
A hazard is something that can cause us harm or put us at risk of being
harmed. Before approaching the casualty and before any first aid help can be
given, you must immediately check for any potential dangers. These potential
dangers could cause more harm to the casualty, the bystanders or even the
person who is trying to help the casualty. When checking for dangers the first
aider must check if there are any tripping hazards such as wires, fallen objects,
furniture etc. They also need to check if there is anything that could fall on
them or the casualty, if there are any spillages that they could slip on, if there
are any dangerous or sharp objects which could cause more injuries or if there
is a chance of being burnt. An accident could also result in chemical spills,
electrocution risks, a fire or gas/oil leaks.
People can be an example of a hazard as they can make a scene dangerous,
especially if they are drunk. They can cause even more harm to the casualty,
themselves, the first aider or even by standers. This can create a chaotic
atmosphere and result in more casualties. Sometimes people can become
aggressive towards others or the first aider, this is mostly due to emotions
being high especially if them or someone they know is in a life-threatening
situation. Overall, people can make it really difficult for a first aider to help
individuals, so it is important that any ‘hazardous people’ are removed from
the scene.
Broken glass is another example of a hazard, especially if it is largely spread
around the casualty because it creates a greater chance of more people
becoming injured whilst trying to help the person/people in need. This can
cause there to be more casualties. Broken glass can also be a hazard to health
if it is contaminated with toxic chemicals, blood or other infectious substances
which may enter the body through open wounds. Overall, broken glass makes
it difficult for a first aider to help because it makes it harder for the first aider
to reach their patient which can cause a delay. Therefore, it is important that
any broken glass or other sharp objects are removed from the scene.
Weapons are another example of a hazard as they may be present at the scene
of the casualty. This can put everyone at the scene at risk of serious injuries or
, death. First aiders cannot enter a building if weapons are still present,
therefore they must wait until the police have checked that it is safe to enter.
This can make it really difficult because for example if someone is
haemorrhaging, present weapons would cause a delay as the first aiders would
need to act fast and not waste any time as the casualty's life is at risk, but if
weapons are present, they may not get to the casualty in time.
Making the area safe
Before approaching the casualty, you need to make the area as safe as possible
by removing any potential hazards that could put you, the casualty, or others
at risk, without causing further harm to the casualty or yourself. This can be
done by checking the area around the casualty and removing furniture or
dangerous objects, by turning off any running water, by cooking appliances or
plugs and for car accidents turn off engines to prevent fires and stop oncoming
traffic.
For example, if someone has been electrocuted and is still in contact with the
electrical source, you must turn of the main power immediately, stand on
wood or plastic and use a wooden object to remove the casualty from the
electrical source. Do not touch the casualty as they may be 'live', and you
would be putting yourself at risk of being electrocuted. You must call for an
ambulance and follow the call operators' instructions.
Another example is if someone has slipped on a spilled drink in a supermarket.
Wet floor signs should be placed as a safe way of communicating to employees
and customers that there is a risk of slipping in the immediate area. This will
make the area safe as it will prevent having more casualties as people will
know to avoid the area. After the casualty has been helped and they are safe,
you must ensure that the substance they have slipped on has been cleaned
and dried to prevent this from happening again.
Another example is if an elderly person has fallen down the stairs, you would
first need to make the casualty comfortable. Then you must find out what
caused them to fall down the stairs to make sure no one else has an accident
and becomes injured. Due to the person being elderly it is important that you
do not attempt to pick them up or move them because they may have internal
bleeding or broken bones you do not know about as they are more fragile.
Instead, you must call an ambulance and follow the call operators' instructions.
continuing dangers
Assessing the scene of an accident
Hazards
A hazard is something that can cause us harm or put us at risk of being
harmed. Before approaching the casualty and before any first aid help can be
given, you must immediately check for any potential dangers. These potential
dangers could cause more harm to the casualty, the bystanders or even the
person who is trying to help the casualty. When checking for dangers the first
aider must check if there are any tripping hazards such as wires, fallen objects,
furniture etc. They also need to check if there is anything that could fall on
them or the casualty, if there are any spillages that they could slip on, if there
are any dangerous or sharp objects which could cause more injuries or if there
is a chance of being burnt. An accident could also result in chemical spills,
electrocution risks, a fire or gas/oil leaks.
People can be an example of a hazard as they can make a scene dangerous,
especially if they are drunk. They can cause even more harm to the casualty,
themselves, the first aider or even by standers. This can create a chaotic
atmosphere and result in more casualties. Sometimes people can become
aggressive towards others or the first aider, this is mostly due to emotions
being high especially if them or someone they know is in a life-threatening
situation. Overall, people can make it really difficult for a first aider to help
individuals, so it is important that any ‘hazardous people’ are removed from
the scene.
Broken glass is another example of a hazard, especially if it is largely spread
around the casualty because it creates a greater chance of more people
becoming injured whilst trying to help the person/people in need. This can
cause there to be more casualties. Broken glass can also be a hazard to health
if it is contaminated with toxic chemicals, blood or other infectious substances
which may enter the body through open wounds. Overall, broken glass makes
it difficult for a first aider to help because it makes it harder for the first aider
to reach their patient which can cause a delay. Therefore, it is important that
any broken glass or other sharp objects are removed from the scene.
Weapons are another example of a hazard as they may be present at the scene
of the casualty. This can put everyone at the scene at risk of serious injuries or
, death. First aiders cannot enter a building if weapons are still present,
therefore they must wait until the police have checked that it is safe to enter.
This can make it really difficult because for example if someone is
haemorrhaging, present weapons would cause a delay as the first aiders would
need to act fast and not waste any time as the casualty's life is at risk, but if
weapons are present, they may not get to the casualty in time.
Making the area safe
Before approaching the casualty, you need to make the area as safe as possible
by removing any potential hazards that could put you, the casualty, or others
at risk, without causing further harm to the casualty or yourself. This can be
done by checking the area around the casualty and removing furniture or
dangerous objects, by turning off any running water, by cooking appliances or
plugs and for car accidents turn off engines to prevent fires and stop oncoming
traffic.
For example, if someone has been electrocuted and is still in contact with the
electrical source, you must turn of the main power immediately, stand on
wood or plastic and use a wooden object to remove the casualty from the
electrical source. Do not touch the casualty as they may be 'live', and you
would be putting yourself at risk of being electrocuted. You must call for an
ambulance and follow the call operators' instructions.
Another example is if someone has slipped on a spilled drink in a supermarket.
Wet floor signs should be placed as a safe way of communicating to employees
and customers that there is a risk of slipping in the immediate area. This will
make the area safe as it will prevent having more casualties as people will
know to avoid the area. After the casualty has been helped and they are safe,
you must ensure that the substance they have slipped on has been cleaned
and dried to prevent this from happening again.
Another example is if an elderly person has fallen down the stairs, you would
first need to make the casualty comfortable. Then you must find out what
caused them to fall down the stairs to make sure no one else has an accident
and becomes injured. Due to the person being elderly it is important that you
do not attempt to pick them up or move them because they may have internal
bleeding or broken bones you do not know about as they are more fragile.
Instead, you must call an ambulance and follow the call operators' instructions.
