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First4Answers

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Have you ever wondered if you should give ill people a ‘hot toddy’, or if squeezing lemon onto a wound will help or harm a person?

 

First4Answers is simple, you write in with a first aid question and we will reply with the answer. Who says that you need to go on a course to find out what you need to know!!

 

 

Questions (and Answers!)

 

Q) Is it true that you should lay a pregnant person on one specific side of their body as you could otherwise harm their baby?

• The hepatic vein that supplies blood to the baby and around the body lies on the right hand side of the body. Whilst no complications have been medically publicised, it is preferred to lay a pregnant lady on her left hand side, simply to avoid any possible complications.

 

Q) Why do people go cold and sweaty when they are in shock? Don’t people sweat when they are hot?

• When you are in shock your body tries to look after it’s vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys. To make these organs a priority, the body shrinks the blood vessels going to other organs (like the gut and skin). This reduction in blood makes you feel cold and sweaty to touch.
   

 Q) If a casualty has a pacemaker fitted, can they be given an electric shock using an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

• In the event that you know or suspect a casualty has a pacemaker fitted (you may be able to see it raised underneath or near to the left collar bone) and they need an electric shock, try to put the pads away from the pacemaker wherever possible. AEDs can be used on casualtys with pacemakers fitted.

 

Q) Do all workplaces have to have blood and bodily fluid disposal kits available?

• There are body fluid disposal kits available to purchase from 'all good suppliers', however whether one is required would relate directly back to the outcome(s) of your risk assessment. If you have identified that blood spillages/major trauma are a high risk, a body fluid disposal kit should be made available.
• For organisations where the risk has been found to be low, soiled items could be disposed on in sealed bags and given to the paramedic.

 

Q) If one of our Employees is diabetic, do we need our first aider to attend a specific 'diabetes course'?

• First Aid courses only give generic information regarding signs and symptoms of persons who have too little or too much sugar in their bloodstream. Regarding personal treatment of any medical condition, it would be advised that the First Aider records a discussion with the person concerned for how best to recognise signs of distress and the best treatments to counteract them.
• Diabetes Awareness courses are available by specialists but are not a requirement other than for peace or mind and potentially if responsible for the care of children.

 

Q) Is there anything that I need to take into consideration if I am dealing with a chemical spill incident?

• Yes! Read through this article to find out more about Chemical Spill First Aid