What is the God Samaritan and SARAH (Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism) Act?
A law which protects any volunteer giving aid to an injured person in an emergency
situation by offering legal protection in the form of exemption from lawsuits and liability,
acting as a safeguard to those who help another in a real emergency, life-or-death situation.
What key principles should always be followed when providing emergency assistance outside clinical environments?
-Recognise the limits of your competence
-Ask for help where necessary
What is the UK drink driving limit?
80mg/100ml blood (50 in Scotland)
What is the guidance about weekly units?
14 units per week, spread out over at least 3 days
What effects does alcohol have on driving?
Slower reaction, blurred vision and encourages risk taking behaviour
What is the leading cause of death in children and young adults aged 5-29 worldwide?
Road Traffic Collision related injuries
What are the 3 main risk factors for road crashes?
Speed
Alcohol and substance abuse
Non-use of seatbelts
If a patient comes in from a crash and tells you that they have been drink driving, should you report it?
You must report it under GMC guidelines
What is a graze?
Lay term for abrasion caused by an injury of the skin surface
What is a laceration?
A tear / split through the full thickness of the skin caused by a blunt instrument.
What is bleeding?
Damage to a blood vessel. Apply pressure to stop
What is pain?
Pain tolerance varies between people. Relaxation / distraction strategies can increase pain tolerance
What will the paramedics do on the site of an accident?
- Paramedics will call the police if no-one else has done so.
- Peter would be treated as a major trauma.
- Paramedics will assess; observe the lower limb injury; can administer pain relief, oxygen, administer
IV fluids & a blood clotting drug if required. Full spinal immobilisation precautions. - Will phone ambulance control who will phone the ED on the ‘standby’ phone.
- Handover between ambulance control & ED using the ATMIST form (Age, Time, Mechanism of injury, Injuries suspected, Symptoms, Treatment given)
