SJAM First Aid at Workplace common mistakes
SJAM First Aid at Workplace · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
Walking straight into the casualty without pausing to scan for hazards, then starting treatment before checking whether the scene is safe or whether there are multiple casualties.
Exam pressure and a rescue instinct make candidates skip the pause; in scenarios the hazard is often implied rather than obvious, so they treat the casualty as the only priority.
What to do instead
Verbalise a fixed scene check before touching anyone: hazards, number of casualties, bystanders, and personal protective equipment. State what you see, what you rule out, and what you would do if a hazard appeared, then approach.
Treating the casualty while leaving the emergency call to an unspecified 'someone', or delaying the call until after CPR has started.
Candidates focus on the visible task in front of them and assume a bystander has already called; they also worry that calling will interrupt compressions.
What to do instead
Point at a named person and say 'You, call 999 and bring the AED; come back and confirm.' If alone with a phone, put it on speaker and call immediately. In the exam, state the call and AED request out loud before or during the first cycle.
Giving chest compressions that are too shallow, too slow, or interrupted for long periods while pads are applied or a handover is given.
Candidates pace themselves by what feels comfortable, lean on the chest between compressions, and stop to think during AED setup rather than continuing compressions around it.
What to do instead
Compress at 100-120 per minute, 5-6 cm deep for an adult, with full recoil and minimal leaning. Swap rescuer every 2 minutes and keep all interruptions under 10 seconds; apply pads while compressions continue.
Delivering an AED shock without a clear verbal and visual check, or using the AED on a wet chest, over a medication patch, or with people still touching the casualty.
Candidates rush to press the button when the prompt sounds, and they may not know that moisture, patches and contact compromise pad adhesion and safety.
What to do instead
Dry the chest, remove patches, place pads as pictured, and say 'Clear' while looking from the head to the hands and feet. Confirm nobody is touching the casualty before pressing shock, then resume compressions immediately.
Applying weak or brief direct pressure to a bleeding wound, lifting the dressing to 'check', or placing a tourniquet loosely or over a joint.
Candidates fear causing pain, are unsure how much pressure is enough, and may treat a tourniquet as a last resort applied without technique.
What to do instead
Press firmly with a pad directly on the wound for at least 10 minutes without peeking; add pads on top if it soaks through. For a catastrophic limb bleed, place the tourniquet 5-7 cm above the wound, not over a joint, tighten until bleeding stops, and record the time.
Sitting a shocked casualty upright, giving them water or food, or leaving them uncovered and unmonitored.
Candidates want to make the casualty comfortable and interpret thirst or anxiety as a reason to give a drink, missing that shock needs lying flat and nil by mouth.
What to do instead
Lay the casualty flat, raise the legs about 30 cm unless a fracture or breathing difficulty prevents it, keep them warm, give nothing by mouth, monitor breathing and responsiveness, and call emergency services.
Cooling a burn for only a few seconds, applying ice, butter or toothpaste, or peeling clothing stuck to the burn.
Folk remedies are memorable and candidates underestimate how long cooling takes; adherent clothing looks like something that should be removed.
What to do instead
Cool the burn under running water for 20 minutes, remove jewellery and loose clothing, cover with cling film or a clean non-adherent dressing, and never apply ice or ointments. Leave adherent clothing in place.
Trying to straighten a deformed limb or moving a casualty with a suspected fracture before splinting, and failing to check circulation beyond the injury.
Candidates want to restore normal anatomy and may move the casualty to a 'better' position without considering the fracture or spinal risk.
What to do instead
Immobilise the limb in the position found, support it with a sling or splint, check pulse, sensation and colour beyond the injury before and after, and do not realign. Move the casualty only if there is immediate danger.
Missing a stroke or severe low blood sugar because the candidate labels the casualty as drunk, tired or attention-seeking, or gives oral glucose to someone who is drowsy.
Symptoms overlap and candidates anchor on the first plausible explanation; they also want to 'correct' low sugar immediately without checking the airway.
What to do instead
Use FAST for stroke and check blood glucose if trained. If the casualty is drowsy or unable to swallow, give nothing by mouth, place them in the recovery position and call emergency services; only give oral glucose if fully conscious and able to swallow.
Not knowing where the workplace first aid kit, AED and first aiders are, and failing to complete an incident record or structured handover after treatment.
Candidates treat first aid as ending when the ambulance arrives and may never have located equipment during induction; documentation feels administrative rather than clinical.
What to do instead
Before any incident, locate the kit, AED, first aid room and named first aiders, and know the internal emergency number. After treatment, record time, findings, treatment and handover, and pass a structured SBAR-style handover to the ambulance crew.