Jessica, Bhavesh, Elizabeth, Hajrah and Owen learnt some basic first aid skills today. They learnt about DR ABC, the Primary Survey, which is used by St. John Ambulance. 

Mrs Beech, who used to be a paramedic in the Navy and currently volunteers with St John Ambulance, shared her real life experience with the group. 

The session began with looking at hazard and risk in real life scenarios, everyone critiqued the situation well and recognised the potential hazards. The students justified the correct contents for a first aid kit and when they should be used.

We then discussed how to assess a casualty, looking for evidence and clues. This included inhalers, Epipens, Insulin pens, medic-alert tags, prior knowledge etc. 

We complicated the situation to include an unconscious casualty, everyone tested their new skills to assess the situation and their casualty using D (danger), R (response), A (airway), B (breathing) and C (circulation) using the Resusci Annie. They then went on to roll each other into the recovery position and learn the importance of maintaining a casualty’s airway.