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Can we have a First Aid thread please?

62 replies

PureAsTheColdDrivenSnow · 03/03/2010 00:45

within general health?

after this thread I was reminded about how many people have bad first aid knowledge.

There could be a disclaimer at the top about liability, but I think it could be a really useful topic.

fanks.

OP posts:
Nessarose · 13/05/2010 12:33

anything yet?

IMoveTheStars · 14/05/2010 00:16

a place for threads like this

and

this one

IMoveTheStars · 14/05/2010 00:17

MNers are NEVER going to suggest the course of No Action. They always say A&E/OOH/GP

More useful than NHS direct IMO

oricella · 26/05/2010 09:27

Bump.. any more thoughts on this MNHQ?

frasersmummy · 26/05/2010 09:37

not this again

if you need medical advice...disclaimer or not you should not be asking unqualified people!!

If you want advice call nhs24 or a doctor or worst case dial 999

"people wont necesarily look on nhs but will look on mn"

what kind of person thinks.. i think this will stop the bleeding wait I will ask mn rather than say.. wait I will check with nhs site ??

I can see worst case sceanrios causing headlines

firstaidfirst · 30/05/2010 20:29

I teach first aid and I am checked by the companies I work for before allowed to teach or assess for them. I am CRB checked, a member of the AoFA (Association of First Aiders), I teach sessions that are in accordance with HSE and OFSTED. I also run courses in Sure Start Childrens Centres. So I think that I would be a safe bet.

firstaidfirst · 30/05/2010 20:30

PS you can have a look at my facebook page First Aid with Carmel.

CatherineHMumsnet · 07/06/2010 14:03

You've all been amazingly patient, but we're pleased to be able to say we've made a start on first-aid content with this feature where the St John Ambulance offers advice on administering first aid to children.

Bousy · 07/06/2010 19:34

I think it's great to have first aid advice on the site, and really appreciate the effort that has been made to supply this.

Apologies in advance for carping, but I have a couple of concerns about the feature; some of the advice isn't very clear (to me at any rate, as a non-expert).

E.g. 'Apply direct pressure over the wound with your hand using a clean dressing. If you don't have a dressing, ask him to apply pressure himself.' - I assume this means 'ask him to use his hand to apply pressure'. That can't be the case with a baby though?

'Pinch his nose to close his nostrils. Take a breath and seal your lips over his mouth until his chest rises.' - This doesn't actually say that you should breathe out. I know it's fairly obvious, but it wouldn't hurt to make it very clear - also to say how you should breathe (slowly?).

'Continue CPR until emergency help arrives, he starts to breathe normally or you're too exhausted to continue.' - this last bit sounds odd to me. You should just give up? Shouldn't the advice be 'in which case find someone to take over'?

'Do up to five chest thrusts. Check the mouth. If the obstruction has been removed, repeat back blows and chest thrusts.' - I know nothing about first aid (which is why I'm so keen to have this advice), and it would be useful to have a brief explanation of why you need to repeat the back blows and chest thrusts if the obstruction has been removed - I assume it's to clear anything that might be left?

There's also a few spelling/grammar errors, which obviously don't affect the quality of the advice, but don't inspire confidence that this has been carefully checked: 'above the level of him heart', 'with the heal of your hand', 'Take your mouth off of the baby's', 'Do not restrain the child in anyway'.

Sorry again to be critical; I think this is so important that it's worth making sure it's as clear and useful as it possibly could be. Thanks for making it available.

GeraldineMumsnet · 07/06/2010 21:02

Hello, editing errors have been corrected and thank you for pointing them out.

We will go back to SJA for clarification on your other points about wording and clarity tomorrow.

FWIW, from my first aid training the bit about 'Continue CPR until emergency help arrives, he starts to breathe normally or you're too exhausted to continue' is correct - it is tiring and if you can't keep going, you can't, whether or not there's someone else around to take over.

Bousy · 07/06/2010 21:04

Many thanks. I do appreciate Mumsnet providing this. The point re CPR is sobering - really brings home how important this stuff is.

CatherineHMumsnet · 09/06/2010 10:32

Hi - we've been in touch with St John Ambulance with your comments and have now amended the article slightly, hopefully in a way which illuminates the advice. www.mumsnet.com/how-to/administer-first-aid-to-children

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