Queensland woman bitten by eastern brown snake in bed

Australia sees around 3,000 snakebite incidents annually, with roughly 550 people requiring hospitalization and an average of two fatalities. While over half of these occur in rural areas, a surprising number happen near homes or buildings.

In remote locations, snake bites pose a significant threat due to the potential distance from medical facilities and access to antivenom. This highlights the importance of snakebite awareness and proper first-aid procedures in these areas.

A woman detailed her frightening brush with death after rolling onto one of Australia’s deadliest animals in the middle of the night.

A Queensland woman is lucky to be alive after she was bitten by a deadly snake while sleeping in rural Queensland. Kasey Leadbetter went to bed after working at a rural cattle station near Glenmorgan, west of Toowoomba, not knowing an eastern brown snake had joined her underneath the covers. She rolled over in the early hours of the morning before she was hit with a searing pain in her hand from a “very strong bite”.

“I remember jumping out of bed straight away because it gave me such a fright,” Ms Leadbetter told 9News. “My hand just felt like it was on fire and I could feel it was starting to travel up my arm .”

At first, the 21-year-old didn’t even realise it was a snake bite, something that helped her not slip into shock.

“I was very lucky and it could have gone either way, it was really touch and go for a while there,” she said.

Eastern brown snakes are the second most venomous snake in the world, causing more deaths than any other species in Australia.

“Being an alert, nervous species they often react defensively if surprised or cornered, putting on a fierce display and striking with little hesitation,” researchers at the Australian Museum say about the snake.

“…The venom contains powerful presynaptic neurotoxins, procoagulants, cardiotoxins and nephrotoxins, and successful envenomation can result in progressive paralysis and uncontrollable bleeding.”

Panicked and not fully comprehending how her life was now at risk, Ms Leadbetter immediately called her mum for help, who contacted the family she was working with on the cattle station. They leapt into action, wrapping her arm in a compression bandage and keeping her stable until paramedics arrived by helicopter to the property. She was then airlifted to Toowoomba Hospital where she was treated with lifesaving anti-venom.

After the terrifying ordeal, the 21-year-old is urging schools to teach snake bite first aid in a bid to prevent deaths.

“It has saved my life and it can save other people’s lives too,” she said.

Ms Leadbetter plans on returning to work as soon as she recovers, adding that the incident has not stopped her from loving snakes.

“Going back to work will bring out some emotion and maybe indefinitely a bit of fear, but I’m stronger than I’m stronger than that,” she said.

Courtesy of news.com.au

We live in a land where snakes abound, you don’t have to be in the bush or in the outback to have a snake encounter and my first encounter was when one slithered under the front door at my mates house in the suburbs of Melbourne. 

Of course the best way to avoid being bitten is by avoiding snakes, if you see one don’t try and catch or kill it, that’s usually the time a bite occurs. Leave them alone and generally, but not always they will do the same.

But if one does strike, assume you’ve been envenomated and take all the necessary steps to ensure you go on to live a long and healthy life by doing the right things. And this is where a snake bite kit could save your life. 

Lie or sit down with the bite area in a comfortable neutral position making sure there is no chance of being bitten again and avoiding any necessary movement.

 Apply a Pressure Bandage:

 

• Wrap a bandage firmly around the bitten limb, starting below the bite and working your way upwards.
• Extend the bandage as high as possible, ideally all the way to the groin for leg bites.
• Keep the bitten limb still and avoid removing clothing if possible.
• Aim for a tightness similar to what you would use for a sprained ankle.
• Mark the location of the bite on the bandage for reference.

 

Immobilize the Bitten Area:

• If possible, splint the bitten limb to minimize movement.
• The splint should immobilize the joints on both sides of the bite.

 

Call for Immediate Help:

• Dial emergency services: 000 in Australia
• Monitor the victim for any symptoms that may arise.
• Remember, prompt medical attention is crucial in snakebite cases.
• Remember: Applying a pressure bandage and immobilizing the bitten limb can slow the spread of venom and buy valuable time for medical treatment, especially in remote locations.

REGULATOR Snake Bite Kit: A light, compact and practical snake bite specific kit designed to be a portable injury specific module when outdoors or where snakes are an identified risk. Complete with the AeroForm Snake Bite Bandage to ensure correct pressure is applied to the affected limb.

• AEROFORM Snake Bite Bandage w/indicator 10 cm x 4.5 m x 2
• AEROBAND Calico Triangular Bandage 110cm x 110cm x 155 cm x 1
• AEROPAD Non-Adherent Dressing 5 cm x 5 cm x 1

SURVIVAL Snake Bite KIT is a comprehensive solution for handling venomous encounters with snakes, Funnel-web spiders, blue-ringed octopuses, or cone shells. Designed by both first aid and snake experts, this kit is no ordinary fare. It’s equipped with all the essentials, including the innovative SMART Bandage. This revolutionary bandage shows you the optimum tension using a pictogram, taking the guesswork out of treatment, hence the name.

• 1 x Cotton gauze swabs (3 per pack), sterile, 7.5cm x 7.5cm
• 1 x Emergency blanket, 2.1m x 1.6m in zip lock bag
• 1 x Mini black permanent marker
• 2 x Nitrile gloves
• 3 x Pressure bandages – 2 SMART Bandages, heavy duty, reusable and washable, 10cm x 2m; 1 medium weight, 10cm x 1.8m
• 1 x Snake bite instruction card, includes bite record register and CPR instruction card
• 1 x Splint, 11cm (W) x 61cm (L) 

 

By Scott Brown

If you would like more information about this topic or any others, purchase any First Aid stock or equipment, or to book a Remote Area First Aid course, please contact us on 0491 057 339 or email info@ruralandremotefirstaid.com.au

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Our goal is that all Rural Australians will have the confidence and skills to act in an emergency. We do that by partnering with those that live and work in Rural and Remote Areas so that if an emergency occurs they will get the best possible outcome for their family member, workmates and organisation.

For over 23 years Scott Brown has been training Remote Area First Aid across Australia. Having first joined Rural Ambulance Victoria in 2001 and working in the high-country in Victoria, he began teaching First Aid for Rural Ambulance Victoria. 23 years on, he works with some of Australia’s largest pastoral corporations and property managers that combined manage over 200,000 square kms of the Australian landscape.

Known for conveying detailed First Aid information in a relatable and relaxed way, Scott’s courses have become popular with Agricultural Property Managers, overseers and ringers alike. The highly practical course content ensures relevance to actual situations that are possible to encounter on a working property.

Scott continues to work with Ambulance Victoria alongside his First Aid training. 
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Tomorrow October 16th is World Restart a Heart Day, so………

Announcing the World Resus Rally, 2024! A free, global livestreamed event, with special guests, where you can find out more about sudden cardiac arrest, how to do CPR and use an AED – CALL PUSH SHOCK! Click on the link Be Part of the Movement to Save a Life to find out more! @heartfoundationau #worldresusrally2024

If someone collapsed in front of you and you couldn’t wake them up, they weren’t breathing, would you know what to do?, Sudden Cardiac Arrest doesn’t wait for a good time. It can happen to anyone, …

By Scott Brown

If you would like more information about this topic or any others, purchase any First Aid stock or equipment, or to book a Remote Area First Aid course, please contact us on 0491 057 339 or email info@ruralandremotefirstaid.com.au

Our goal is that all Rural Australians will have the confidence and skills to act in an emergency. We do that by partnering with those that live and work in Rural and Remote Areas so that if an emergency occurs they will get the best possible outcome for their family member, workmates and organisation.

For over 23 years Scott Brown has been training Remote Area First Aid across Australia. Having first joined Rural Ambulance Victoria in 2001 and working in the high-country in Victoria, he began teaching First Aid for Rural Ambulance Victoria. 23 years on, he works with some of Australia’s largest pastoral corporations and property managers that combined manage over 200,000 square kms of the Australian landscape.

Known for conveying detailed First Aid information in a relatable and relaxed way, Scott’s courses have become popular with Agricultural Property Managers, overseers and ringers alike. The highly practical course content ensures relevance to actual situations that are possible to encounter on a working property.
Scott continues to work with Ambulance Victoria alongside his First Aid training. 
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World First Aid Day

World First Aid Day was established to raise awareness about the importance of first aid skills and to promote their widespread adoption across communities worldwide. Its world origins trace back to the late 19th century when the concept of providing immediate care gained momentum, thanks to pioneers like Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross.

This annual observance, celebrated every second Saturday in September, highlights the historical significance of first aid milestones, like the introduction of the first aid kit in the early 1900s.

This year the focus is on First Aid for Sports.

The Crucial Role of First Aid in Sports

Sports are an integral part of many people’s lives, providing physical and mental benefits. However, injuries are an inherent risk in athletic activities. This is where first aid plays a crucial role in safeguarding athletes and ensuring their well-being.

Why First Aid is Essential in Sports

• Rapid Response: In the event of an injury, immediate first aid can make a significant difference in preventing further complications and improving recovery times.
• Pain Management: First aid techniques can help alleviate pain and discomfort, allowing athletes to receive prompt medical attention.
• Injury Prevention: By understanding common sports injuries and their prevention strategies, first aid can help reduce the risk of accidents.
• Emergency Preparedness: First aid training equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to handle emergencies, such as cardiac arrest or severe bleeding.
• Confidence and Peace of Mind: Knowing that there is someone on hand to provide first aid can give athletes and their families peace of mind.

 

Common Sports Injuries and First Aid Measures

• Concussions: Assess for symptoms like confusion, dizziness, or headache. If suspected, remove the athlete from the game and seek medical attention.
• Sprains and Strains: Apply the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce swelling and pain.
• Cuts and Abrasions: Clean the wound, apply pressure to control bleeding, and cover with a sterile bandage.
• Heat-Related Illnesses: Recognize signs of heatstroke (confusion, dizziness, rapid pulse) and take immediate action to cool the athlete down.
• Fractures: Immobilize the injured area and seek medical attention.

 

The Role of First Aid Kits

A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any sports facility or team. It should contain items such as:

• Sterile bandages
• Gauze pads
• Antiseptic wipes
• Ace bandage
• Instant cold packs
• Pain reliever
• Tweezers

 

First Aid Training for Athletes and Coaches

Encouraging athletes and coaches to undergo first aid training can significantly improve safety on the field. Courses can cover topics such as:

• Basic life support (CPR)
• Automated external defibrillator (AED) use
• Common sports injuries and their management

By prioritizing first aid in sports, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for athletes of all ages and abilities.

By Scott Brown

If you would like more information about this topic or any others, purchase any First Aid stock or equipment, or to book a Remote Area First Aid course, please contact us on 0491 057 339 or email info@ruralandremotefirstaid.com.au

 

Our goal is that all Rural Australians will have the confidence and skills to act in an emergency. We do that by partnering with those that live and work in Rural and Remote Areas so that if an emergency occurs they will get the best possible outcome for their family member, workmates and organisation.

Author bio:

For over 23 years Scott Brown has been training Remote Area First Aid across Australia. Having first joined Rural Ambulance Victoria in 2001 and working in the high-country in Victoria, he began teaching First Aid for Rural Ambulance Victoria. 23 years on, he works with some of Australia’s largest pastoral corporations and property managers that combined manage over 200,000 square kms of the Australian landscape.

Known for conveying detailed First Aid information in a relatable and relaxed way, Scott’s courses have become popular with Agricultural Property Managers, overseers and ringers alike. The highly practical course content ensures relevance to actual situations that are possible to encounter on a working property.

Scott continues to work with Ambulance Victoria alongside his First Aid training. 
For regular updates from us sign up to our list.

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Okay, so this one is personal. You may have heard of the electrician who’s power points never work in their own house, or the builder who’s own house remains an unfinished project.

So there I was, 60 mins before a course was due to start sitting in my car suffering chest discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating and feeling all round completely out of energy. “Could it be stress?” I asked myself repeatedly. Not likely, I’d just come off a really good week, had a restful travel and was really looking forward to the upcoming course. I’ll be right, I told myself repeatedly. After half an hour of this I was not any better. In fact, I was feeling worse.

I texted my wife for advice. Being a straight shooter, she came back with “What would you tell your students to do?” What I tell my students to do is ‘don’t muck around with anything that could be REMOTELY associated with Heart issues. Call 000.’

So that was that. I called 000. I was hospitalised but released later that day with a couple of things ruled out but more questions than answers. More tests needed. So I returned home for tests and monitoring.

And that’s how things sit now. I’m at home, tests continue and I await the results.

Lessons? I was surprised how ‘vulnerable’ I felt being hospitalised nearly 4000kms from home when you are travelling solo. Don’t be afraid to head for home. People will understand.

The kindness of people you hardly know will astound you. A huge thanks to the Bush Heritage crew for coming to grab Diesel (dog) and look after him whilst I was in hospital at short notice. You guys are awesome.

Apparently, I’m not bullet proof. As I age I need to acknowledge that and make allowances for it.

By Scott Brown

If you would like more information about this topic or any others, purchase any First Aid stock or equipment, or to book a Remote Area First Aid course, please contact us on 0491 057 339 or email info@ruralandremotefirstaid.com.au

Click the image to take the 3 min quiz and get a personalised report sent to you.

Author bio:

For over 23 years Scott Brown has been training Remote Area First Aid across Australia. Having first joined Rural Ambulance Victoria in 2001 and working in the high-country in Victoria, he began teaching First Aid for Rural Ambulance Victoria. 23 years on, he works with some of Australia’s largest pastoral corporations and property managers that combined manage over 200,000 square kms of the Australian landscape.

Known for conveying detailed First Aid information in a relatable and relaxed way, Scott’s courses have become popular with Agricultural Property Managers, overseers and ringers alike. The highly practical course content ensures relevance to actual situations that are possible to encounter on a working property.

Scott continues to work with Ambulance Victoria alongside his First Aid training. 

For regular updates from us sign up to our list.

The post Is it harder to look after your own backyard? first appeared on Rural & Remote First Aid.

Hi All

Well, the landscape and environment have certainly turned on some challenges for those on the land over the last couple of months. And because of that we went quiet for a while to let you deal with the issues that have crossed your paths. We sincerely hope you are in the recovery phase. The double edge sword of the crazy weather cycle is that whilst the water drains from up north we have had to deal with fires down south (including a precautionary evacuation). What a crazy landscape!

But life goes on. The resilience of the Australian people never ceases to astound me. We are truly at our best when circumstances are at the worst.

Our next round of trips up north starts soon, so we will catch up with many of you as we do annually and we are very much looking forward to that. We will be covering quite a few kilometres both by air and by road. Can’t wait!

See you soon.

All the best.

PS. As ever, if there is any stations near you who you think we might be able to help out with First Aid training, please let them know about us, let us know about them.

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When it comes to getting the right response to any incident the key is clear communication. Unfortunately, the more serious the incident the more scrambled the communication usually becomes as a result of adrenaline and panic.

But this is exactly when we need to have a good system in place to make sure that our response to an incident on station and then engaging emergency services is clear, concise and accurate.

So what are the elements of good communication in an emergency setting? Keeping in mind that communication is a two way process. If we are blabbering over the UHF and there is no one at the other end we are just making noise for no reason. Similarly, if the message doesn’t make any sense we are also just making noise.

So let’s look at the elements that make good communication from where the incident is to the Homestead, who will most likely end up making the emergency call.

Firstly, let’s think about how it should look from the field of the incident.

Start by slowing down and taking in what you’ve got in front of you. The Primary Survey (DRS ABCD) always comes first! This will deal with any life threats immediately.

Of course, the S stands for Send for Help. We will talk about the broader process in another post but today I just want to address communications. So we’ve dealt with any potential life threat and now we’ve picked up the radio to call back to the Homestead or, if serious enough, and we have the capability, we are calling emergency services direct. He is what they need to know.

Location. And this needs to be a pretty good lock in to your position. There is no point having the best information about your patient if no one knows where you are. So if you radio is about to go flat and you have one sentence to get out, tell them where you are! Roads, track junctions, identifiable features are all ideal. I highly recommend downloading the Emergency Plus app to your phone because that will give you latitude and longitude of your location regardless of whether you’ve got phone network or not. (Click here to download the free app) It uses your phones most basic GPS function and will give a pretty good indication of where you are. So failing any other description of where you are just read out the numbers on the screen.

Number of patients. This is really important because it allows the emergency services to activate the right amount of assets to deal with what’s in front of them.

A short history of what happened, ie. the mechanism of injury/incident/illness. This often paints the picture as to how injured or unwell the patient is now and what injuries to look for but also how sick this person could become down the track. It’s another vital piece of information to make sure the emergency response is accurate. If the emergency services are busy with multiple cases the incident will need to be triaged. The better story you can tell about what is going on the better they are able to accurately triage your case.

A quick snapshot of the injury/illness and a set of Vital Signs. Along with the history of the incident the current injuries and the vital signs tell emergency services how sick this person is right now and is another vital piece of information to help them appropriately respond and/or triage your incident.

Then stand by and wait for instructions.

If you’re at the Homestead receiving a call about an incident, the information above is what you want to extract from the caller prior to your activating your response and/or the emergency services. Grab a pen and paper and jot those details down in readiness to launch your own response but also tell the emergency services, if needed. Other information that becomes important is the approximate age and gender of the patient. Those that are younger or older are generally more frail and less resilient to illness and injury so it’s important information to pass on.

I hope this helps.

As ever, if you have any questions about anything please feel free to call 0491 057 339 email info@ruralandremotefirstaid.com.au

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Given some questions we have had about the use of Superglue recently, I thought it topical to address this. This Blog post from https://www.realfirstaid.co.uk addresses the topic well. I have left it original so it speaks of costs in £ and some brands mentioned may not be available in Australia. Please see the article as a good reference point and information only. 

Super Glue for Wound Closure

We often get asked, especially on our Remote First Aid courses, if you can use Super Glue to close cuts? Yes it is perfectly possible to close wounds with glue but there is the legitimate clinical method and the ‘have-a-go-Harry’ approach with whatever Superglue comes to hand.  And there are subtle differences.

When treating our own injuries we take responsibility for our own actions.  When we are treating other people we have a Duty of Care to treat appropriately and cause no further harm or face the serious consequences of litigation. For this reason we would not suggest that glue is used to treat casualties where you are in a position of responsibility be it your role within your workplace or providing opportunistic care for a casualty to have come across.

You may still be inclined to use glue to treat yourself or maybe your trusted climbing partner, in which case, read on:

All Super Glues are not the same.

“Super Glue” or Cyanoacrylate (CA) is an acrylic resin which rapidly polymerises in the presence of water. The principle component of commercial CAs (SuperGlue, Krazy Glue, Loctite) is either methy-2-cyanoacrylate or ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate, the original forms of CA developed in 1942 by Kodak Laboratories. (The discovery was made whilst investigating potential, high clarity, acrylics for the use in gun sights. Whilst not suitable for this application CA was quickly identified as a fast acting, low shear strength adhesive.)

During the Vietnam war it was used in field surgery with good effect, however, despite the promising results it was not approved by the Unites States Food and Drug Administration due to the unknown toxicity and two significant side effects during the polymerization process:

1. The curing process creates an exothermic reaction (heat) which can cause further tissue damage.
2. The process releases cyanoacetate and formaldehyde – both irritants to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Medical Glue

To overcome these harmful issues, new CAs were developed with the express purpose of use in surgery. 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Derma+flex® QS™, SurgiSeal, FloraSeal and Dermabond) causes less skin irritation and increased flexibility and strength compared to traditional ‘Super Glue’. In 1998 the US FDA approved 2-octyl cyanoacrylate for the closure of wounds and surgical incision and in 2001 was approved as “barrier against common bacterial microbes including certain staphylococci, pseudomonads, and Escherichia coli”.

n-butyl cyanoacrylate wound adhesives are available under the trade names: LiquiBand®, Histoacryl, Indermil, GluStitch, GluShield, and Periacryl (dental adhesive)

Octyl ester, while providing a weaker bond, are more flexible. Butyl esters provide stronger bond, but are rigid.

A cheaper alternative…Veterinary Glues

If you are looking for something for your personal first aid kit and don’t fancy spending £120 on 6 x 5ml vials of Derma Bond, veterinary glues are commercially available as a happy compromise; not licensed for use on humans but essentially the same stuff in a different wrapper.

2-octyl cyanoacrylate Surgi-Lock and Nexaband
n-butyl cyanoacrylate VetGlu, Vetbond and LiquiVet

Contraindications (Terminology: Contraindications means cases when you cannot use it)

Wound adhesives are generally only used on minor wounds, no more than 5cm and with straight edges. Do not attempt to use glue on the following:

• wounds on the face
• wounds where the skin flexes or over joints
• wounds with uneven or jagged edges
• deep wounds
• wounds that are bleeding
• infected wounds
• animal bites
• puncture wounds
• ulcers
• dirty wounds

This last point is critical in a remote or industrial environment since most wounds encountered will typically be dirty in which case it is almost always preferable to clean the wound and pack it ‘open’ with Vaseline  soaked dressings (Tulle Gras) or saline soaked dressings to prevent the wound drying out.   The wound can then be properly cleaned and closed (if appropriate) in a hospital setting later on.

Conclusion

Using glue to close wounds may have been pioneered 50 years ago and continually perfected clinically ever since as well as an established treatment for climbers, string musicians and garage mechanics around the world…but that doesn’t mean it is a panacea.

Given the number of limitations in its use and the issues of liability we would not advise glue is used to treat others.   If you choose to use it to treat yourself, do so…with care and full understanding.

Direct Pressure will stop the majority of even the most serious bleeding wounds and where Direct pressure is not enough there are other options including tourniquets and haemostatic agents.

The post Is Superglue a real option for wound closure? first appeared on Rural & Remote First Aid.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. CPR. Cardio, meaning heart. Pulmonary, meaning lungs and Resuscitation meaning Oh my God, please come back!

To many people the letters CPR represent that annoying couple of hours of First Aid Training you have to do every year to make sure your qualification is maintained. But I disagree! And I guess you would expect me to, but perhaps not for the reasons you think.

I actually think that the course should probably have a different name because there is so much more to it than just pushing up and down on someone’s chest and figuring out how and when to breathe for them.

You see, implicit in the CPR process is the approach to an incident and anyone who has done the course before, even just once, would recognise the mnemonic DRS ABC D. So by way of recap, let’s look at what they stand for;

D – danger. Always assess the area for danger to yourself, any bystanders and the patient. And do it in that order.

R – response. For anyone that has suffered some sort of incident you want to establish their level of responsiveness and indeed if they are responsive at all (will address this in another blog post)

S – send for help. What sort of help is going to be determined by the level of response that you received, but for this purpose were going to assume an unresponsive patient.

A – airway. Is the airway clear? Are there any blockages?

B – breathing. Is the patient breathing? Are they breathing normally? We can look, listen and feel for rise and fall of the chest and any moving air. And if they are not breathing then;

C – compressions. We will begin CPR by pressing on the centre of the patient’s chest, approximately 1/3 chest depth and about two times per second (this is also a topic for a later blog post).

D – defibrillation. If we have access to one we need to get a defibrillator onto this patient as soon as possible for the best chances of ongoing survival.

So there it is. DRS ABC D. This is sometimes referred to as the Basic Life-Support Flowchart. It is also referred to as the Primary Survey. No matter what the incident you need to run through this procedure as part of your approach, always! If you are coming across a patient and you’re not sure what led to the injury or illness and you forget to check for any dangers then you may just be walking into the same situation yourself and become patient number two.

If you speak to the patient and they respond then we can do a mental tick box of the remainder of the survey. Because if they respond they have a clear airway, they are also breathing, and don’t need compressions or defibrillation. Primary Survey done. Okay move on.

So the Primary Survey isn’t just about CPR it’s your full approach to every incident. It’s your system, but it’s also your fallback position. Your last line of defense, as it were. Because if you think about it, anyone who is really sick or really injured and is beyond our first aid care is, sooner or later, going to end up as an unresponsive, unconscious patient for whatever reason. So barring major haemorrhage (which we’ll talk about a later stage) we are back into our Primary Survey and will respond accordingly as we escalate backup the DRS ABC D system and begin running through the process all over again.

It also becomes your priority list. There are many times in first aid where some treatments clash or conflict with other processes. For example, let’s say you come across a car that has rolled many times and is upside down. There is just one occupant, the driver. The driver is yelling and screaming at you to get them out of the car, which is completely understandable. However, the sheer mechanism of that injury/accident would suggest that there is a high potential for spinal damage. And we know the management for spinal damage is immobilisation with no movement whatsoever (unless there is impending danger).

The patient is yelling and screaming at you, so do they have airway, breathing and do they need compressions? No. So we immobilise as much as possible and attempt to reduce the anxiety of the patient by calming talk and providing rest and reassurance.

Now let’s think about that same scenario but change just one thing. The patient is unconscious. They are unresponsive. Is their airway at risk? Absolutely! And this patient cannot be managed effectively whilst hanging upside down in a car. So we look at our list DRS ABC D. Airway is a priority. The management for a patient with an airway at risk is to get them out of the car and on the ground. But this conflicts with what we know about management of a potential spinal injury. But where on this list does it mention spinal? It doesn’t. So whilst we will move the patient as carefully as possible, the higher priority is making sure that the airway is maintained and that breathing continues. After all, what would kill them first? A spinal injury? Or a blocked airway? You got it, Airway blockage.

So the Primary Survey (the CPR course) is about your approach to any incident and/or critical event. It’s your first port of call and your last resort, your backstop as it were. And that’s why I believe that it’s critical to revisit this training every 12 months to make sure that in the most serious event your system is solid and you have the confidence to make a difference, to contribute to a positive outcome.

Take care out there, all the best.

The post It’s not just CPR. first appeared on Rural & Remote First Aid.