First Aid Training

Within the hospitality industry health and safety is very important and it is vital for all staff members to know their safety procedures so that they can assist other staff members and guests.

This past week we had our first aid training course. The first day we did the theoretical part, and the next day the practical.First aid is all about assisting people who are injured or sick, but it is vital to never treat a patient above your qualification skills and knowledge. When you arrive on a scene where there is an injured person there is a certain procedure to follow in helping this person:

1. Hazards - Remove all hazards, which could be dangerous to you or the patient or the by standers.
2. Hello - Talk to the person, introduce yourself, assess the awareness of the patient and get permission to help him.
3. Help - Call for help or ask someone to phone an ambulance.
4. Airway - Check if there is anything blocking the patients airway, if there is, remove it.
5. Breathing - Look, listen and feel for breathing, if there is no breathing, do 2 rescue breaths.
6. Circulation - Check for blood circulation, by means of capillaries refill and feel if the patient has a pulse.
7. Stop severe bleeding - Applying direct pressure, using pressure points and elevating the injured body part.

CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

1. Check airway and remove any objects if it is blocking the airway.
2. Look, listen and feel for breathing.
3. Place mouth-to-mouth piece in patients mouth.
4. Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway as far as possible.
5. Give 2 slow breaths.
6. Feel for a pulse.
7. Give 30 compressions on an even rhythm about 4-5 cm deep.

Repeat this cycle 4 times, and remember to feel for a pulse and check breathing.