As a trained first aider you may be thinking how you will be able to put the skills you have learnt to use? there are many people that are not necessary comfortable at helping due to the physical contact. So we have a few tips to make it safe and hopefully give you the confidence and reassurance needed.
Explain how they can help themselves.
For example if they are bleeding heavily, they can apply pressure to the wound themselves. If they are unable to do this, you can isolate them keeping others at least 2 metres away.
if someone is unresponsive and you need to step in, as long as good hygiene practices are used the risk to you will be low.
Normal hygiene measures are known to lessen the risk of infection and should be followed.
Wear gloves if easily available
Wash your hands after contact with somebody
Compression Only CPR
As a precaution the Resuscitation Council UK have provided updated advice:
Check if they need CPR by looking for absence of signs of life and normal breathing.
Do not listen or feel for breathing by placing your ear and cheek close to the persons mouth. If you are unsure, assume they are absent.
Call 999 as soon as possible.
If a coronavirus infection is suspected, tell them when you call 999.
Give chest compressions: push firmly downwards in the middle of the chest and then release.
If you think there is a risk of infection, you should attempt compression only CPR and if available use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Continue until the ambulance arrives.
Wear a face mask, disposable gloves and eye protection if available. If you decide to perform rescue breaths on someone who is not breathing, use a resuscitation face shield where available
Wash your hands
After performing compression-only CPR, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water; alcohol-based hand gel can be used if this isn’t available. You should also seek advice from the NHS 111 coronavirus advice service.
If treating a baby or child, the importance of calling an ambulance and taking immediate action cannot be stressed highly enough.
It is likely that you will know them already and we accept that doing rescue breaths will increase the risk of transmitting the coronavirus, either to the rescuer or the child but the risk is small compared to the risk of taking no action.