Lesson 3 What to do in an emergency
In an emergency, you must identify priorities. These priorities are to:
- 1. assess the situation – do not put yourself in danger;
- 2. make the area safe;
- 3. assess all persons and first assist any unconscious people;
- 4. call for help without delay.
Scenario- case of an emergency
So, let's consider a hypothetical scenario: While you're working in street cleaning, your colleague falls unconscious on the ground. What should you do?
First you must check for a response. Gently shake his/her shoulders and ask loudly, ‘Are you all right?
If there is no response, your actions should be prioritized as follows:
Call for help
Open his airway
Check for normal breathing
Take appropriate action
- You can use your mobile phone to call the country’s emergency number for an ambulance.
- In order to open someone’s airway, place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Place your hand on the person’s forehead and gently tilt the head back. Then, lift the chin with your two fingertips.
- After opening his/her airway, look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. To do so:
- look for chest movement
- listen at person’s mouth for breathing sounds
- feel for air on your cheek
- If your co-worker is breathing normally:
- place in the recovery position;
- get help;
- check for continued breathing.
- If your co-worker is not breathing normally, it is crucial to get help immediately and start chest compressions (see CPR next slide).