HLTAID003

Provide first aid

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Identify possible contingencies at remote/isolated area 

1.1

Undertake preparation for isolated travel or work accounting for expected contingencies according to procedures/policies

2

Handle casualty's immediate condition 

2.1

Assess casualty's condition and determine response in order to minimise hazards and determine need for medical assistance

2.2

Monitor and respond to casualty's condition in accordance with appropriate first aid principles

2.3

Reassure and support casualty during the wait for medical assistance

2.4

Ensure and determine casualty's comfort by establishing and explaining the nature of the illness/injury and the management procedures

2.5

Undertake to provide shelter from elements in accordance with environmental conditions

3

Liaise with external medical support 

3.1

Document condition of the casualty over time to assist ongoing management

3.2

Establish communication links to medical services to ensure prompt control action is undertaken

3.3

Undertake administration of medication under medical instruction, using relevant communication equipment

3.4

Evaluate environmental and casualty's condition to determine transportation requirements of casualty to medical assistance

3.5

Provide assistance in the evacuation of casualty by emergency services as required

4

Evaluate the incident 

4.1

Evaluate management of the incident and where required develop an action plan in consultation with relevant parties

4.2

Participate in debriefing/evaluation to improve future operations and address individual's needs

4.3

Provide access to bona fide critical stress facilitators where required/requested

4.4

Implement site management/procedures and evaluate in accordance with risk assessment

4.5

Formulate contingency planning and review to identify and select alternative management principles

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Regulatory framework 

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:

• legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS)
• industry codes of practice and guidelines
• environmental regulations and guidelines
• Australian and other standards
• licence and certification requirements

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Procedures 

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following:

• emergency procedures
• work instructions
• standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• safe work method statements (SWMS)
• formulas/recipes
• batch sheets
• temporary instructions
• any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

Injuries and conditions managed 

Injuries and conditions managed include one or more of the following:

• abdominal injuries
• allergic reactions
• bleeding
• burns (thermal, chemical, friction and electrical)
• cardiac conditions
• chemical contamination
• cold injuries
• crush injuries
• dislocations
• drowning
• envenomation (snake, spider, insect and marine bites)
• environmental conditions (hypothermia, dehydration and heat stroke)
• epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions
• eye injuries
• fractures
• head injuries
• minor skin injuries
• neck and spinal injuries
• needle stick injuries
• poisoning and toxic substances
• respiratory management of asthma and/or choking
• shock
• smoke inhalation
• soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations
• substance abuse and illicit drugs
• unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse

First aid management 

First aid management includes the following:

• administration of analgesic gases
• administration of medications
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)
• expired air resuscitation (EAR)
• infection control
• bleeding control
• airway management
• delivery of oxygen
• care of unconscious

First aid management requires consideration of the following:

• location and nature of the workplace
• the environmental conditions (e.g. electricity, biological risks, weather and motor vehicle accidents)
• location of emergency service personnel
• the use and availability of First Aid equipment and resources
• infection control
• allergies to medications

Medications include one or more of the following:

• oxygen
• pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with state and territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry)
• asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from first aid kit in accordance with state and territory legislation
• severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime
• heart attack - aspirin.

First aid management must be documented and include, as appropriate, the following:

• time
• fluid intake/output
• blood
• vomit
• faeces
• urine
• administration of medication, including time, date, person administering, dose
• vital signs

First aid principles 

Established first aid principles include the following:

• checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others minimising the danger
• checking and maintaining casualty's airway, breathing and circulation

Resources and equipment 

Resources and equipment, appropriate to the risk, include one or more of the following:

• blood pressure cuff
• oxygen resuscitation/cylinders
• defibrillation units
• pressure bandages
• thermometers
• injections
• backboards
• stretchers
• soft bag resuscitator
• first aid kits
• eyewash
• thermal blankets
• pocket face masks
• rubber gloves
• dressing
• spacer device
• cervical collars

Communication systems 

Communication systems include one or more of the following:

• mobile phones
• satellite phones
• HF/VHF radio
• flags
• flares
• two-way radio
• email
• electronic equipment
• other communication methods/equipment defined in organisation procedures

Hazards and risks 

Hazards and risks must be identified and controlled.

Hazards include one or more of the following:

• unavailable first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, defibrillator)
• bodily fluids
• other hazards associated with casualty management process
• heat, smoke, darkness, dust or other atmospheric hazards
• electricity
• gas
• gases and liquids under pressure
• structural hazards
• structural collapse
• equipment failures
• industrial (machinery, equipment and product)
• equipment or product mass
• noise, rotational equipment or vibration
• plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water)
• limited head spaces or overhangs
• working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours
• flammability and explosivity
• hazardous products and materials
• unauthorised/other personnel or bystanders
• sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions
• slippery surfaces, spills or leaks
• extreme weather
• other hazards that might arise

Identifying risks requires consideration of specific hazards, including the following:

• what level of harm can occur
• how harm can occur (various chains of events that could result in harm from the hazard)
• the likelihood that harm will occur

Travel considerations 

Travel considerations include the following:

• severity of injury
• time required for medical assistance to arrive

Note: movement might hinder rescue procedures.

Preparation for travel includes the following:

• selection of relevant communication equipment
• relevant first aid supplies and resources to cater for environmental conditions