First Aid International
Legal Considerations
Consent (Permission)
Before giving First Aid to a casualty it is necessary to ask for their permission to do so. If the casualty is able to respond they will respond either yes or no. If the casualty is unable to respond, that is they are unconscious, it is taken for granted they would have provided permission if they were conscious / able too. If attending a child, permission should be sought from the parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian is not present, then immediate action should be taken for the casualty in a life-threatening situation.
Duty of Care (Responsibility)
In the workplace the person who is designated as the first aid officer must hold a current certificate. That person has the responsibility of providing care to a casualty at work who is in need. Once you put yourself in the position of providing care to a casualty outside the workplace, it is then necessary that you remain with the casualty and provide all necessary care until medical assistance arrives.
Act reasonably and responsibly
Whilst administrating first aid you must only provide care to the level you have been trained and are qualified in. To do otherwise may lead to Negligence.
Written record
It is good practice to record in writing the details of any First Aid you provide at an incident. This information may become necessary if the incident is brought to court. In the workplace, it is a requirement to record all incidents.
Communicable Disease
A communicable disease is one that can be passed on to another person through blood and other body fluids. It is unlikely that a disease might be spread through the provision of first aid assistance but it is certainly not impossible, therefore it is necessary to take precautions.
Those precautions include:
- washing of hands before and after administering first aid
- the wearing of gloves
- eye protection, eg glasses or goggles
- resuscitation mask / devices
© First Aid International 2002
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