Unit 1 Lesson 1: Introduction to First Aid PDF

Unit 1 Prepare to Respond to a Medical Emergency Lesson 1 Introduction to First Aid Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe your duties and responsibilities within the emergency medical services (EMS) system and be able to provide emergency first aid ac- cordin...

Unit 1 Prepare to Respond to a Medical Emergency Lesson 1 Introduction to First Aid Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe your duties and responsibilities within the emergency medical services (EMS) system and be able to provide emergency first aid ac- cording to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) standards. As the first officer to respond to the scene of an emergency, you can make a difference in a life- threatening situation. By applying your knowledge, skills, and abilities, you can stabilize patients and keep things from getting worse until EMS arrives. Emergency Medical Services The EMS system is a network of trained professionals linked to provide advanced, out-of-hospital care for victims of sudden traumatic injury or illness. Teams within this network consists of highly skilled people that are trained to respond to emergencies daily. ✅ HL211.1. Describe the duties of the criminal justice first-aid provider within the emergency medical services (EMS) system Although your duties as an officer will require you to respond to emergencies as well, the roles and responsibilities of criminal justice officers differ from those of other professional out-of-hospital caregivers. At the scene of an emergency, the criminal justice officer ensures the safety of every- one, alerts the EMS system, and is usually the first person to provide basic first aid to patients. Once EMS arrives, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other responders use their advanced, specialized training to provide more comprehensive care. Criminal Justice First-Aid Provider Responsibilities When you arrive on the scene, your initial duty is to determine if the scene is safe for you and other responders to enter. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings. After ensuring scene safety, your next concern as a criminal justice first-aid provider is the patient. Your first-aid duties may include: wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent infection gaining access to a patient (in some emergencies, you may need to move one patient to reach a more critically injured patient) Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 37  assessing a patient for life-threatening injuries alerting EMS providers and relaying all relevant medical information providing a patient with basic medical care based on needs you identified during your assessment remaining with a patient until EMS providers relieve you and transport the patient to an advanced medical facility It is important to stay calm during an emergency. Some emergencies are life threatening or involve emotionally-charged situations with patients, family members, and bystanders. Let everyone know more help is on the way. Maintain your composure so that you can assess the scene, set priorities, and establish that you are in control of the scene. Communicate clearly with patients and respond- ing EMS personnel so that there are no misunderstandings. Try to work efficiently, but avoid work- ing so quickly that you make mistakes or create further confusion. ✅ HL211.2. Describe the officer’s responsibilities for providing emergency first aid according to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) standards As a criminal justice officer that provides basic first aid, you play a vital role in delivering emergency first aid to patients who experience sudden illness or injury within the first few minutes after it happens. The EMS system depends on your actions during those minutes, and what you do sets the foundation for the remainder of the rescue. Correcting a breathing problem or stopping bleeding can potentially save a life. In this role, you also help other patients who are not in critical condi- tion by preventing more injuries, performing proper assessments, gathering medical histories, and preparing for EMS personnel to arrive. 38 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2