well being of first responder 9/9/08. as a first responder may encounter someone dealing with an...
TRANSCRIPT
Well Being of First Responder9/9/08
As a first responder may encounter someone dealing with an emotional crisis (highly emotional state resulting from stress)
Victim will depend on you and your directions
You as the first responder will also feel emotions and the stress from an incident
Death and Dying
Stressful for family and you, especially sudden death
Always attempt to resuscitate a body that feels warm or a victim of extreme cold until otherwise directed
DNR (Do not resuscitate)- legal orders written saying that they do not wish to be resuscitated of kept alive by mechanical means
Families and Grieving Approach a family with care and comfort with
positive statements such as, “We are doing everything we can”.
Avoid discussing the victim’s condition Steps in the grieving process
Anxiety Denial/disbelief Anger Bargaining Guilt/depression acceptance
Stress
Body’s normal response to any situation that changes a person’s existing mental, physical, or emotional balance
Signs and symptoms Irritability towards co-workers, family and friends Inability to concentrate Difficulty sleeping or nightmares Anxiety Indecisiveness Guilt Loss or increase in appetite Loss or interest in sexual activites Isolation Loss of interest in work and family
CISD
Critical incident stress debriefingCounseling to help deal with stress for first
responders and medical personnel
Cumulative stress- stress building over a period of days, weeks, months, or even years
Meeting is usually held within 24 to 72 hours of a major incident
Scene Safety
Size up an emergency scene for safety by looking at the following keys:Location of emergencyExtent of the emergencyApparent scene dangersApparent number of ill or injured peopleBehavior of victim(s) and bystanders
If a scene seems unsafe you may need to move the emergency
For example: presence of explosives or hazardous
materials fire or danger of fire inability to make scene safe need to get to other victims requiring
lifesaving care
Hazardous Materials
HAZMATLook for signs-
Signs (placards) on vehicles, storage facilities or railroad cars
Clouds of vaporSpilled liquids or solidsUnusual odorsLeaking containers, bottles, or gas cylindersChemical transport tanks or containers
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Do not attempt to rescue until wreckage has been stabilized
Make sure you have proper training and equipment such as turn-out gear (flame and puncture resistant outwear), safety glasses, gloves, and a helmet
Violence
Do not enter the scene until summoned by law enforcement personnel
Do not touch anything except what you must to give care
Additional Emergency Situations
Traffic: put up reflectors, flares, or lights to direct traffic, leave a path for arriving emergency vehicles
Fire: do not enter a building without proper equipment and training, do not open hot doors or use elevators
Electricity: assume all downed wires are dangerous and contact fire and power company
Cont.
Water and Ice: follow reach-throw-row, never enter a body of water, fast moving water, or ice unless you have been trained
Unsafe structures: do not enter call for trained equipment personnel, gather information about victims
Natural disasters: report to person in charge, follow rescue plan
Multiple victims: care for victim’s with most life-threatening conditions first
Cont.
Hostile situations: if threatened retreat to safety, get law enforcement personnel
Suicide: do not enter until told by law enforcement, do not touch anything unless to give care
Hostage situations: do not enter until told by law personnel, gather as much info about victims as possible
Legal and Ethical issues
Good Samaritan LawServe the physical and emotional needs
with respect for human dignity and with no regard to nationality, race, gender, creed, or status
Before giving care, determine patient’s competence and get either express or implied consent
Competent adult has the right to refuse treatment or withdraw treatment
Cont.
Duty to act, if there is a breach of duty could be charged with abandonment or negligence
Patient’s history, condition, and emergency care are confidential
If called to a potential crime scene, police must be notified
Special reporting: report child, elder, or spouse abuse, injury that is result of crime including sexual assault, and infectious disease exposure
AVPU
Alert
Verbal
Painful
Unresponsive
Able to respond to appropriately to questions
Responds appropriately to verbal stimuli
Only responds to painful stimuli
Does not respond
Role Play
Pair up with someone around youEveryone will be handed a cardAct out the way you think a patient mightSee if your partner can guess level of
consciousness
Homework for Chapter 2
Workbook: pg. 12 case study 2.1 and 2.2, and self assessment questions 1-15.