What isn’t funny but exposes us all for being a little bit foolish are the widespread misconceptions about first aid. Hundreds of thousands of people die every year because other people don’t know the right actions to help them.
Don’t get caught out. Make it your goal to learn vital first aid to ensure you’re not a fool this April. To help you on your way, we’re going to clear up the confusion and dispel some common first aid myths:
It is a common misconception that once you have called an ambulance your job is done. In England, the average response rate for life threatening emergencies is eight minutes (Source:HSCIC, with full NHS response times on ITV here).
A lot can happen to a casualty in those eight minutes, so don’t just wait for the ambulance. In most cases, the 999 emergency response operator will stay on the phone to talk you through what you need to do until the paramedics arrive.
If you are first aid trained though, you could save a life.
Many people believe this to be true when, in fact, the patient is more likely to break their teeth on whatever is put in their mouth and choke on that, more than they are likely to swallow their own tongue.
Make sure the surrounding area is free of hazards, protect the patient’s head and lay them down. Seizures rarely cause serious harm and the best thing you can do is ensure the patient is protected and call an ambulance.
When the seizure has stopped check to ensure the person is breathing and lay them in the recovery position.
This is another common misconception. Tilting the head back during a nosebleed doesn’t stem the blood flow, but will allow the blood to trickle down the throat and potentially cause choking and vomiting.
The patient should tilt their head forwards, pinch their nostrils tightly closed and breathe through their mouth until the bleeding stops. If your nose is still bleeding after 30 minutes, you are advised to go to the hospital.
This is a myth that could certainly put a person’s life at risk if they are in distress. For example, if someone is bleeding and you decide to do nothing, they may lose too much blood, go in to shock and possibly die.
If anything, calling for an ambulance and following the guidance of the operator will allow you to help a person in danger. Better yet, opt to get first aid training and you will know exactly what to do in a range of situations.
Lying flat whilst experiencing a heart attack can make it harder for the patient to breathe, which makes this a very dangerous myth to believe.
Instead, having the patient propped up with their knees bent and their shoulders and head supported is much better.
If you or the personnel within your organisation would like to make sure you’re not looking a fool this April, visit our page on first aid training courses and find the right solution for you.