Systems the body and basic anatomy and physiology

HLTAID003
Provide First Aid
LEARNER GUIDE

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 2

1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
1.1.1 What Is First Aid? .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1.2 What Is An Emergency? ............................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.2 Understand The Limits Of Your Expertise, Training And Ability .................................................................... 9

Module Basis ................................................................................................................................................................ 24

2.1 Principles Of First Aid .......................................................................................................................................... 25

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 3

3.2 DRS ABCD Action Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 56
3.2.1 D – Danger .................................................................................................................................................................................. 57 3.2.2 R – Response .............................................................................................................................................................................. 57 3.2.3 S – Send For Help ....................................................................................................................................................................... 58 3.2.4 A – Airway.................................................................................................................................................................................... 60 3.2.4.1 The Recovery Position ........................................................................................................................................................ 60 3.2.5B – Breathing ............................................................................................................................................................................... 61 3.2.6 C – Compressions/CPR .............................................................................................................................................................. 61 3.2.6.1 Rescue Breaths ................................................................................................................................................................... 64 3.2.6.2 The Chain Of Survival ......................................................................................................................................................... 65 3.2.6.3 Ceasing CPR ....................................................................................................................................................................... 65 3.2.7 D – Defibrillator ............................................................................................................................................................................ 66 3.2.7 D – Defibrillator ............................................................................................................................................................................ 66

3.3 Shock ...................................................................................................................................................................... 68

3.8 Bleeding, Wounds And Injuries .......................................................................................................................... 97
3.8.1 Bleeding ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 97 3.8.1.1 Internal Bleeding ................................................................................................................................................................. 98

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 4

3.11 Envenomation .................................................................................................................................................... 120
3.11.1 Bee/Wasp/Insect Bites And Stings ........................................................................................................................................ 120 3.11.2 Spider Bites ............................................................................................................................................................................. 121 3.11.2.1 Red-Back Spider ............................................................................................................................................................. 121 3.11.2.2 Funnel Web Spider Bites ................................................................................................................................................ 122 3.11.3 Snake Bite ............................................................................................................................................................................... 123 3.11.4 Marine Bites And Stings ......................................................................................................................................................... 124 3.11.4.1 BlueBottle & Non-Box JellyFish Stings .......................................................................................................................... 124 3.11.4.2 Box JellyFish Stings ........................................................................................................................................................ 125 3.11.4.3 Blue Ringed Octopus & Cone Shell Bites ..................................................................................................................... 126 3.11.4.4 Stone Fish, Bull Rout & Stingray Stings ........................................................................................................................ 126

3.12 Poisons ............................................................................................................................................................... 127
3.12.1 Substance Misuse – Alcohol & Other Drugs ......................................................................................................................... 130

4.3 Clean And Restock First Aid Items .................................................................................................................. 135

4.4 Dispose Of Medical Waste Properly ................................................................................................................. 135

4.9 Evaluate Your Own Performance ..................................................................................................................... 142

Appendix 4A - First Aid/Incident Report Form ..................................................................................................... 143

This training course is based on the Unit of Competency HLTAID003: Provide First Aid.

The basic principles and concepts underlying the practice of first aid are to relieve pain and suffering, to avoid further illness or injury or worsening of illness or injury, to protect individuals who are unconscious, encourage recovery and if possible, prevent or reduce disability and to save lives.

First Aid training is about providing the necessary skills needed to respond to a medical emergency with the goal of saving lives, reducing pain and injury until qualified medical help takes over.

Stalled or crashed vehicle, spilled medications and other items, a person collapsed on the floor or exhibiting confusion, pain or breathing
difficulty.

1.2 UNDERSTAND THE LIMITS OF YOUR EXPERTISE, TRAINING AND ABILITY

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 9

You can observe or walk away from the scene, though this is not

Negligence.

Recording.

1.3.1 CONSENT

As a first aider it may not always be possible to gain consent from an injured person, as they may be unable to communicate and/or unconscious. In these cases it is assumed under the law that the person would have consented if they had been able to, however, this only applies in situations where the life and/or future health of the individual would be considered to be in jeopardy.

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 11

The life saving skills of the first aider should be applied to the casualty in a way that doesn’t force first aid procedures and

Vital signs return.

Paramedic assistance arrives from emergency medical services (EMS).

In relation to the provision of first aid you are under no legal obligation to provide treatment, unless you have a previous duty of care to the injured person.

Some examples of where a duty of care to provide first aid exists include cases where:

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 12

When determining if a duty of care existed courts look to:
	Whether the incident resulting in harm was reasonably
foreseeable.

1.3.2.1 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY/WORK HEALTH & SAFETY LEGISLATION AND

GUIDELINES

Occupational Health & Safety/Work Health & Safety guidelines for preventing accidents in the workplace should be found in the company’s polices and standard operating procedures. It should have procedures on how to deal with a workplace accident.

It may include instructions on how to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can prevent infection spreading. If in doubt about following any of the procedures and guidelines contained in the company’s OHS/WHS manual, talk to the OHS/WHS officer.

Literacy and numeracy skills are required by the first aider to read, interpret and apply guidelines and protocols when planning for and dealing with workplace emergencies and incidents.

Harmonisation Of Work Health & Safety Legislation

safety standards and protections for all Australian workers through uniform WHS laws, regulations and codes of practice.

The legislation also outlines requirements for:

Provision for the resolution of health and safety issues.

Protection against discrimination.

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 15

	Whilst it is legislated to protect, there is no guarantee that first aider will never be prosecuted for negligence. A finding of guilt in relation to negligence may only be reached if each of the four following aspects are proven:

As a first aider with basic first aid training you should take all reasonable steps to follow established guidelines and protocols relating to first aid as well as ensuring that you do not
misrepresent yourself or take undue risks.

In the event of any legal proceedings arising out of providing first aid it is important that a record of injury is made. This should be made
immediately after the event and should include a description of what the event/injury was and how it was addressed.

The particular recording requirements may vary between states and territories due to differing laws and requirements.

If applying first aid outside of the workplace the first aider should make a record of the event, at a minimum a note about the first aid given.

Records should be clear and concise as they may be used as a legal document in court. You should take care to ensure that any first aid records are accurate, factual and reflect only your observations and actions and do not include opinions.

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 17

		record of the incident will be made and the reasons for
		doing so and that they may access the record if desired.

1.3.4.1 PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

First aiders also need to be aware of privacy legislation that protects medical data from being circulated to the general public and to be handled by authorised workers on a need to know basis.

Debriefing should be conducted following on from any emergency situation.

Debriefing enables the first aider to profit from the rescuing experience by learning how they could improve and also to bring closure on the events.

It is important that you identify any risks or hazards that may affect you or any injured persons.

A HAZARD is a source or situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, the environment, or a combination of these.

HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid Page 19

	Check Up High:
		Overhead hazards (e.g. damaged power lines, trees,

Check At Eye Level:

Insufficient lighting or poor visibility.

Check For Other Specific Hazards Such As:

Bystanders.
Bodily fluids.
Drugs.