FACT SHEET

    
 

Summer Safety with St John First Aid

With summer now upon us, it is timely to be reminded of a few of the most common summer safety tips, and to encourage even more people to learn first aid. First aid advice and training can make a difference to your safety, and that of your family, this summer. St John also recommends having a first aid kit close by.

Sunburn

  • Rest casualty in a cool place.

  • Place under a cold shower, in a cold bath, or sponge with cold water.

  • Apply cool gauze padding to the burnt area.

  • Give cool drinks.

  • Seek medical aid for young babies and casualties with blisters.

Bluebottle stings

  • DON'T try to wash the sting off with fresh water.

  • Pick off any tentacles with tweezers or your fingers.

  • Apply a cold pack to reduce pain.

Bee stings

  • Remove stings by scraping sideways with your fingernail or with the edge of a knife.

  • Apply a cold pack.

  • Watch for allergic reactions - breathing difficulties, rashes, itching, or swelling around the mouth or eyelids.

If an allergic reaction takes place call 000 for an ambulance.

  • Observe and record pulse and breathing.

  • If casualty is carrying medication for the allergy it should be taken at once.

  • If conscious: help casualty to sit in a position which most relieves breathing difficulty.

  • If unconscious: open and clear casualty's airway and prepare to resuscitate if necessary.

Heat Exhaustion

  • Lie the person down in a cool place with circulating air.

  • Loosen or remove almost all clothing.

  • Sponge with cold water.

  • Give fluids to drink.

  • Seek medical aid if casualty vomits or does not recover promptly.

Burns

  • Hold the burned area under cool running water for at least ten minutes

  • DON'T break any blisters or apply any lotions or ointments.

  • Put a sterile non adherent dressing over burned area (or alfoil, plastic wrap, or a wet clean dressing).

  • If burn is bigger than a twenty cent piece — seek medical aid.

Snake bites

  • Using a roller bandage (about 10-15cm wide), pantyhose or other similar material, firmly bandage the entire limb, but not so firmly as to stop the flow of blood.

  • Start bandaging from just above the fingers or toes and work upwards.

  • Splint the bandaged limb.

  • Ensure casualty does not move.

  • Call 000 for an ambulance.

  • DON'T cut the bitten area.

  • DON'T suck the venom out or wash venom off.

  • DON'T apply a tourniquet.

  • DON'T try to catch the snake

 

Preventing Snakebites:

  • Make lots of noise when walking in the bush.

  • Always wear shoes outside.

  • Don't put your hands and feet where you can't see what's there.

  • Keep grass cut around your home.

Near Drowning

Never attempt a rescue beyond your capability. Do not become a casualty yourself and remember to follow the St John DRABCD Action Plan.

  • Check for Danger, to yourself, others and casualty at the accident scene. This is the critical first step otherwise you could be the next casualty and unable to help others.

  • Check for a Response from the casualty — gently squeeze casualty’s shoulders and shout to see if the casualty is conscious.

  • Now, check the Airway — open mouth and look for foreign material. If foreign material present, turn casualty into the recovery position while supporting the neck and spine, remove any foreign objects. If no foreign material present, leave casualty on back.

  • Next, check Breathing — look, listen and feel for breathing:
    + If breathing, place casualty in the recovery position, check for signs of life regularly and manage any injuries. Seek medical aid.
    + If not breathing, call 000 for an ambulance. Turn casualty onto their back and tilt the head back. Lift chin to open the airway, pinch the nose closed and breathe into the casualty's mouth for about one second, watch chest rise and fall. Repeat sequence to give 2 initial breaths. Ensure the chest rises with each breath.

  • Then check for signs of life:
    + If no signs of life: not breathing, not responding and not moving, commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

  • If casualty shows signs of life, place in recovery position, assess and manage any bleeding and other injuries. Continue to monitor casualty’s breathing, movement and consciousness until medical aid arrives.

  • Attach a Defibrillator (if available) – follow voice prompts.

The best solution is prevention:

  • Make sure your entire family can swim.

  • Always supervise children near water.

  • Never drink and swim.

  • Always swim between the flags.

  • Keep your first aid skills up to date by booking into a St John First Aid refresher course.

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For More Information:

Call Customer Service on 1300 360 455

  
 

Last Updated September 2004