Medical emergencies and workplace first aid arrangements
This domain tests recognition of time-critical medical emergencies and knowledge of the workplace systems that support first aid: risk assessment, trained personnel, equipment, recording and emergency planning.
Recognising medical emergencies
- Stroke – use FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 999. Note the time symptoms began and give nothing by mouth.
- Heart attack – central chest pain or pressure, radiating to arm or jaw, with sweating, nausea and breathlessness. Sit the casualty at rest, call 999, and give aspirin 300 mg to chew if conscious, not allergic and not bleeding.
- Asthma – sit upright and help the casualty use their reliever inhaler, up to 10 puffs via a spacer.
- Anaphylaxis – swollen airway, wheeze, rash and collapse; help them use their adrenaline autoinjector and lie them flat with legs raised.
- Hypoglycaemia – give sugar orally if conscious and able to swallow; never give food to an unconscious casualty.
- Seizure – protect the head, do not restrain or put anything in the mouth, and place in the recovery position once the seizure stops.
Workplace first aid arrangements
Employers must assess first aid needs, provide adequately stocked kits, train an appropriate number of first aiders, display emergency numbers, maintain an AED and record incidents in the accident book. Kits should be checked regularly for expiry and completeness, and staff should know the emergency plan and assembly point.
Worked example
A colleague suddenly has a drooping mouth and slurred speech. Reasoning: FAST is positive. Record the onset time, call 999 immediately, keep them sitting or lying with the head slightly raised, give nothing by mouth and monitor breathing until the ambulance arrives.
Traps that cost marks
- Giving aspirin to a casualty who is unconscious or allergic.
- Restraining a seizing casualty or putting objects in the mouth.
- Assuming a “funny turn” is harmless instead of screening for stroke or hypoglycaemia.