First Aid, CPR, and Workplace Safety
First actions
Scene safety first: traffic, fire, violence, electricity. Wear gloves and eye protection; use a barrier for rescue breaths. Obtain consent if the person is responsive; implied consent applies if unresponsive. Call 911 early and send for an AED.
Core skills
- CPR: adult compressions at 100 to 120 per minute, about 2 inches deep, full recoil, 30:2 with breaths or continuous compressions if trained for compression-only.
- AED: apply pads, follow prompts, do not touch during analysis or shock.
- Choking: back blows and abdominal thrusts for a responsive adult.
- Bleeding: direct pressure; tourniquet for life-threatening limb bleeding.
- Shock: lay flat, keep warm, do not give food or drink.
- Do not move a suspected spinal injury unless there is immediate danger.
Worked example
A coworker collapses in the lobby. The guard checks the scene, taps and shouts, hears no response, and sees no normal breathing. He calls 911 on speaker, sends a receptionist for the AED, starts compressions, and applies the AED when it arrives. He continues until EMS takes over and documents the time and interventions.
Traps
Delaying 911 to look for a pulse; no PPE; moving a victim unnecessarily; abandoning the person; failing to report a blood exposure.