I'm sure we all find that in summer, there's just so much to do! I've got lots of work on at the moment, plus visitors about to arrive, and other things going on, hence the lack of blogging! Speaking of "other things", last week we had a First Responder training refresher course. Rupert Wilson, from the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) came to the island loaded with equipment for us to try out.
It was good for us to get together and go over various scenarios etc. We first had our training in November 2009 and thankfully have had very few call-outs. Which means we probably need the training all the more to keep things in our minds.
As well as having a go at actually practising the "Heimlich Manoevre" while Rupert wore a special device to replicate choking, we also bandaged each other, and ran through various scenarios. Of course there was also the obligatory CPR practice (to get the rate correct a speedy rendition of "Nellie the Elephant", "Staying alive" a la the Vinnie Jones Video, or my personal favourite, "Another one bites the dust"...). We also had practice using a defibrilator (on a dummy!) as we have one of those in our First Responder pack.
About to practice CPR....
Lunch of soup, sandwiches and cakes was followed by more practice - and some indigestion on my part as a result of too much cake and not enough time till I did the next CPR!
There are 13 of us on the island trained as First Responders - that's a pretty good percentage of the island population (48%). It's something we were keen to get involved in as we have no nurse or Doctor on the island, and need to wait till either the ferry/lifeboat or air ambulance brings medical assistance. Valuable time can be lost during the wait. So at least we feel we have some basic knowledge, a direct link to the emergency centre via a dedicated mobile phone, and a defibrillator and oxygen for emergencies. Please let's hope we never need them....
There was an article in the BMJ which suggested that Nelly the Elephant was effective in getting the speed right but less effective than no music in getting the appropriate depth of compressions (see here: http://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b4707 ). It actually makes me happy that someone thought to do the research!!
ReplyDeleteApparently another tune which is the right speed (if you can bear it) is the theme to the Archers...
Hmmm never been a fan of the archers! But thanks for the link to the article. I've printed it off and will circulate.... oh yes makes me happy that someone researched that too!!
DeleteBusy indeed, Sian, but so worthwhile. It hadn't occurred to me that of course you would have to wait for medical assistance, so these skills are even more important.
ReplyDeleteYes - just hope I don't need to use them! Though there have been some call outs, including one recently. Thankfully all ended well and I wasn't needed then either.
DeleteLove that video ! The "no mouth contact" is very new.
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever over this side of the pond we do "911" but it's helpful to know that it's "999" over your side.
The "no mouth contact" is mostly for the "man or woman in the street" - if you are trained in first aid then it's still recommended. But I think the reasoning is that someone untrained is probably not going to be effective at getting enough oxygen in and that the CPR chest compressions are more important to get right.... Yes I gather it's 911 for you, but yes 999 over in the UK.
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