You will learn:

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

b. why your own safety must come first

c. to assess if a person is unconscious

d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call.

Learning objectives

Nicole’s story

“I helped a girl who was choking at the cinema. At the time, I had all sorts of worries… Was I doing more harm than good? What if I did something wrong?

In the end I decided that if her life was in danger, it was better to do something than do nothing… I’m glad I got involved now.”

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

“I felt so proud when the girl’s Mum phoned to thank me. The doctor said if I hadn’t acted so quickly she would have been in a much worse state.

I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I hadn’t stepped up!”

You’re about to see some statements to do with first aid.

Do you strongly agree, strongly disagree, or are you somewhere in between?

For each statement, put your initials on the arrow…

B.D.

J.C. L.L. T.G.R.

STRONGLYAGREE

STRONGLYDISAGREE

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

STRONGLYAGREE

STRONGLYDISAGREE

If someone needs medical help, it’s better to wait for an ambulance.

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

STRONGLYAGREE

STRONGLYDISAGREE

If I needed first aid, I’d want someone to help me.

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

Is helping a stranger dangerous?

British Red Cross advisor: “It can be. Remember your personal safety is your priority. Call an adult, get help if you are not sure you can approach safely.”

Is first aid very complicated?

Firefighter: “No. Just opening an airway or putting someone on their side in the recovery position can make all the difference.” Click for advice

Click for advice

How do I know I’ll ever need to use first aid?

British Red Cross adviser: “Every year 3 million people go to A&E for accidents and injuries that first aid treatment can benefit. If someone does need your help, it’s likely to be someone you know and love.”

Can you be sued for getting it wrong?

Lawyer: “as long as you do your best to help someone who needs it, you should have no need to be worried in this respect.”

Click for advice

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

Click for advice

When some scaffolding collapsed, Sam saw it happen…

“A builder was lying still in the dust. His mate was stumbling around stunned. There was blood pouring from his arm.

A young woman had been passing. She had been hit by a piece of falling scaffolding. She was yelling that her arm was broken. Her baby was screaming in its push chair.”

Who was the most important person there?

answer on next slide…

a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid

Sam was the most important person there. All the casualties (injured people) were depending on him. He had to put his own safety first…

If there’s danger, keep well back. Call 999 at once.

b. why your own safety must come first

Sam was the most important person there. All the casualties (injured people) were depending on him. He had to put his own safety first…

Sam had to put his own safety first…

b. why your own safety must come first

You must stay calm… And check for danger!

steam –scalding danger

wet floor – slipping danger

sharp bits of broken

china

water around cable – danger

ofelectrocution

click for answer

Use the whiteboard pen to circle all the dangers you can spot!

b. why your own safety must come first

Simon’s story

“I was at a gig when this bloke in front just keeled over.

I felt I should get involved… but I didn’t have a clue what to do.

Lucky for him, there was a girl in the crowd who knew exactly how to help.

I remember thinking, I wish I knew about stuff like that...”

c. to assess if a person is unconscious

c. to assess if a person is unconscious

You spot someone lying on the pavement in the street on your way home from the shops. What questions would you ask yourself?

> write a list

> put your actions in order of importance

> check your list with the one on the next slide.

c. to assess if a person is unconscious

What questions would you ask yourself?

> Is it safe for me to approach the person?

– Is the person just asleep or drunk or fallen over?

– Why has no one else stopped?

> Are they conscious?

– Can they hear my voice when I ask if they’re ok?

– Do they respond when I gently shake their shoulders?

> If not, assume they’re unconscious.

D is for Danger

R is for Response

Remember:

c. to assess if a person is unconscious

If the person doesn’t respond, shout for help.

Then open his or her airway so you can check if they are breathing…

A is for Airway

1. Place your hand on the casualty’s forehead and gently tilt the head backwards.

2. Place two fingers on the tip of the casualty’s chin and lift the chin.

d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

When someone’s unconscious, the tongue goes floppy and can fall to the back

of the throat. This may prevent air getting through.

d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

But when the head is tipped back, the tongue is pulled forward, allowing air through.

Simply opening the airway like this can save a life because it allows them to breathe.

d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

What three senses could you use? Click to see.

How to check if someone’s breathing.

B is for Breathing

Look along the body to see if the chest is moving up and down.

Listen for breathing. Put your ear close to unconscious person’s mouth and nose.

Check for ten seconds

Feel for breath on your cheek.

1

2

3

d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

This video clip shows you how to put someone in the recovery position.

Now it’s your turn to try…

Watch the clip twice.

What will Sam be asked next? answer on next slide…

e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call

Hello?

Which service do you require?

Ambulance

Connecting you now…

> what’s your name?

> what number are you calling from?

> where are you? (Not sure? Describe landmarks.)

> what has happened?

> how many people have been hurt?

> is anyone unconscious?

> has anyone stopped breathing?

> is anyone bleeding – if so, how badly?

> are there any other hazards or dangers around?

e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call

The main points again…

> check for danger

> try to get a response

> open airway

> check for breathing

> if the casualty is breathing normally, put them in the recovery position

> call 999 for ambulance.

Plenary

You’ve completed this lesson on the recovery position.

Test your knowledge in our interactive quiz, or find out more with one of these activities…

Interactive

quiz

Figure drawing

Put a friend in the recovery position. Sketch your friend.

“I was at a gig when this bloke in front just keeled over…”What happened next? Finish the story.

Find out more