This evening I participated in my first session at St. John Ambulance (the Christchurch Unit). It is held at Christchurch fire station and is the adult group.
I arrived at the station unknowing what to expect from the evening. I introduced myself to the rest of the group but I think it is going to take me a while to remember every ones names!! I did get to know Emily, she is 28 and doing a foundation course so that she can become a paramedic, and Diana who has just joined the adults' St.John from Cadet level.
Firstly the group leader, Bill, discussed upcoming events that us, as volunteers, would be needed for. As I have just joined I am unable to attend events occurring very soon and need to have shown a suitable level of first aid knowledge and skill before I can help. The list of activities was varying and I can not wait to become involved in helping out.
We then went on to training. The topic of this session was minor and major cuts. He talked through with us the ways to distinguish if someone has hurt themselves (by talking, looking and feeling) this also can also alert you to any dangers and by looking at how wide, deep and how much blood (and the flow of blood) to see whether it is a major or minor cut. He said the most important thing, other than bleeding, is infection; use gloves to prevent you getting infected and to prevent your bacteria infecting the patient. One way to clean a wound is by using water, never use antiseptic wipes. He showed us how to dress a wound using medicated bandages.
Then in pairs, I was with Diana, we practiced how we would apply a bandage to someone with an injured arm. I practiced as if it was a real incident and treated Diana as if she was a real patient. I talked to her, asked how it had happened, and asked her if she had any other pain. The only problem was her arm and I asked her to apply pressure to her arm and keep it raised until I had appropriate kit. I got out the small bandage, suitable for holding half a pint of blood, and placed the pad over the bleed and asked if the patient could re-apply the pressure over the pad. I then used the long roll of the bandage and sealed off both ends by having a 2cm overlap onto the skin. I asked the patient to remove the pressure as I bandaged over the top of the wound. Once it was suitably covered I tied both ends of the bandage together on the top of the wound using a reef knot. When using a bandage circulation may be restricted so it is important to check immediately after applying the bandage and then every 10 minutes after. Do this by squeezing the nail or pinching the skin after the wound to check the skin turns from pink to white back to pink again. Also by listening to the patient you can get an idea if the circulation is poor, e.g.my finger tingle. I completed this task well and was eager for the next.
We then looked at cuts with foreign bodies. As an example on person wore a pretend wound with a glass shard protruding out of the wound. I practiced on one of the male group organisers, he was helpful because as I was doing it he gave me invaluable tips on how to improve. I started by reassuring the patient and asking the patient to pinch the wound either side of the glass to try to stem the bleeding. Then using a small bandage, creating a bridge place it over the foreign body and I asked to patient to re-pinch over the bandage. I can then either put the dangling bandage ends on the patients lap or in their hand, this prevents it falling onto the floor, getting dirty and spreading infection. Then using two other bandages, still rolled, place one either side of the object. This keeps the object in place and creates pressure without pushing the object further into the skin. Using the long bandage seal off both ends of the wound, making sure you do not go on top of the wound, pushing the object further into the skin. I made sure that I tied it tight enough as having it too lose would make the care useless as it wouldn't be helping the bleed. I was instructed to tie the bandage off, in a reef knot again, this time underneath or on the side of the wound, never on the top. Again, once complete, check circulation every 10 minutes. He was very happy with my attempt.
The final thing we covered was using a sling. Bill talked about how to use every day items such as jumpers and scarves to make slings if a real one isn't available and also went through how to use a real one. I practiced on Emily. Using a triangle pad I opened it up and held the long end head to toe, the corner of the triangle at the patients wounded arm. This is the correct start point. Tucking the top end of the bandage under the fingers and moving down the arm tucking part of the bandage under to create a tunnel for the arm to sit in. when I reached the elbow I twisted the end to tighten and re-enforce the tunnel. I then pulled the remaining sling around her back, under her shoulder blades for best support, and tie the sling (making sure it is secure enough) on the shoulder in a reef knot. The circulation test is also important with this.
I have learnt a lot from this evenings meeting and I am very excited for next time. I have some forms to fill in and have a compulsory CRB check, but once that is completed I will officially be a St.John Ambulance Volunteer.
No comments:
Post a Comment