FIRST AID

First aid is the immediate and temporary care given to the victim of an accident or sudden illness until medical services can be obtained.

All drivers will, at some point, will find a need to administer first aid. The objective of first aid is to save life and prevent further injury. Therefore, it is necessary to know and understand the principles of basic first aid.

It is important that drivers understand what not to do as well as to know what to do.

This unit is designed to provide information on the fundamentals of first aid. Bus drivers should not administer any first aid beyond that in which they have been trained.

The most noticeable indicators of an emergency are abnormal sights, odors, noises, and personal appearances or behaviors. An emergency or serious illness may be difficult to recognize. When assessing if there is an emergency, often times, those who are injured the most will be the quietest. If you have any reason to suspect that something may be wrong, check the injured or ill person.

Common sense and a few simple rules are the keys to effective first aid. Some of the important ideas to remember when rendering first aid are:

Ø  First aid is not a substitute for medical care. Call your dispatcher and/or your emergency services number (911) as soon as you identify a need for first aid care.

Ø  First aid procedures apply only to immediate temporary needs.

Ø  Only accepted first aid procedures should be used in all cases.

Ø  Remain calm. Children will react to your anxiety, which can make the situation worse. Reassure your victim that you can help.

Ø  Ask a conscious victim if you may assist them.

Ø  Use common sense and a reasonable level of skill, not to exceed the scope of the individual's training in emergency situations.

Injuries to victims vary in severity. The individual in control must make sound decisions as to which victims need care first.

Good Samaritan Law

13-21-108. Persons rendering emergency assistance exempt from liability.

(1)                                Any person licensed as a physician and surgeon under the laws of the state of Colorado, or any other person, who in good faith renders emergency care or emergency assistance to a person not presently his patient without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident, including a health care institution as defined in section 13- 64-202 (3), shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions made in good faith as a result of the rendering of such emergency care or emergency assistance during the emergency, unless the acts or omissions were grossly negligent or willful and wanton. This section shall not apply to any person who renders such emergency care or emergency assistance to a patient he is otherwise obligated to cover.

(2)                                Any person while acting as a volunteer member of a rescue unit, as defined in section 25-3.5-103 (11), C.R.S., notwithstanding the fact that such organization may recover actual costs incurred in the rendering of emergency care or assistance without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith.

(3)                                Any person, including a licensed physician, surgeon, or other medical personnel while acting as a volunteer member of a ski patrol or ski area rescue unit, notwithstanding the fact that such person may receive free skiing privileges or other benefits as the result of his volunteer status, who in good faith renders emergency care or assistance without other compensation at the place of an emergency or accident shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith.

 Your First Aid Kit

It is important that drivers know where the first aid kit is located and what it contains. Before departing on any trip make sure you have found the location of your kit and that you have inspected it to ensure that it has the required contents. Then, if an emergency occurs, they will not waste valuable time looking for the first aid kit or looking for items they know are not in the kit.

1 CCR 301-25

2251-R-20.00 Emergency Equipment.

Contents of the 24-unit First Aid Kit: Item Unit(s)

Ø  Adhesive Tape 1

Ø  1-inch adhesive bandage two

Ø  2-inch bandage compress one

Ø  3-inch bandage compress one

Ø  4-inch bandage compress one

Ø  3-inch x 3-inch plain gauze pads one

Ø  Gauze roller bandage two inch wide two

Ø  Plain absorbent gauze – ½ square yard four

Ø  Plain absorbent gauze – 24-inch x 72 inch three

Ø  Triangular bandages four

Ø  Scissors, tweezers one

Ø  Space rescue blanket one

Ø  Non-latex disposable gloves, pair one

Ø  CPR mask or mouth-to-mouth airway one

Ø  Moisture and dustproof kit of sufficient capacity to store the required items.