1. Information and Terms – SFA

The objective of this chapter is for First Aiders to understand:

• First aid terms
• Protect themselves using the law and personal protective equipment.
• Critical Incident Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Lay Rescuer: A non-medically trained First Aider.

First Aid: “Emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured casualty before medical aid can be obtained.” (mw.com)

First Aider: A Lay rescuer who may or more not have first aid training and has no medical training that offers first aid before any medically trained personnel arrive.

Medical Aid: Anyone who has formal medical training such as a doctor, nurse, or paramedic.

Ages of Casualty

Adult – 8 yrs. old and above

Child – 1 yr. to 8 yrs. old

Infant – under 1 yr. old

Signs: Changes in the casualty’s condition that is noticeable (examples: sweating, paleness, or bleeding).

Symptoms: Feelings that the casualty tells you (examples: pain, dizziness, or nausea).

Treatment: First aid to help the ill or injured casualty in correct priority.

Priorities of First Aid

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Defibrillation (ABCD)

By ensuring that we preserve the casualty’s life, the primary concern when providing first aid treatment for a casualty is:

Objectives of First Aid and CPR

• Preserve life
• Prevent further injury or illness
• Promote recovery

Legalities

Ontario WSIB First Aid Regulation 1101

First aid stations must be easily accessible and be supervised by workers who:

• Have valid first aid certificates from a WSIB – recognized training organization.
• Work in the immediate vicinity of the stations.
• Employers must post all required first aid information where it can be seen clearly.
• Employers must keep detailed records of all accidents and first aid treatment given.

First Aid Kits

You may assemble your own first aid kit for your workplace, using Regulation 1101 as a guide. You may also purchase ready-made first aid kits from the supplier of your choice. (First Aid Program, 1998-2011)

Ontario Good Samaritan Act – 2001

“A person described in subsection (2) who voluntarily and without reasonable expectation of compensation or reward provides the services described in that subsection is not liable for damages that result from the person’s negligence in acting or failing to act while providing the services, unless it is established that the damages were caused by the gross negligence of the person.”

“An individual, other than a health care professional described in clause (a), who provides emergency first aid assistance to a person who is ill, injured, or unconscious as a result of an accident or other emergency, if the individual provides the assistance at the immediate scene of the accident or emergency” (e-laws.gov.on.ca)

Chase McEachern Act – 2007

“Despite the rules of common law, a person described in subsection (2) who, in good faith, voluntarily and without reasonable expectation of compensation or reward uses a defibrillator on a person experiencing an emergency is not liable for damages that result from the person’s negligence in acting or failing to act while using the defibrillator, unless it is established that the damages were caused by the gross negligence of the person.”

“An individual, other than a health care professional described in clause (a), who uses a defibrillator at the immediate scene of an emergency” (e-laws.gov.on.ca)

Sabrina’s Law – 2006

Requires every school board to establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy. The legislation requires school boards to have policies that include:

Training for school staff on dealing with life-threatening allergies

• On a regular basis.
• Creating individual plans for pupils who have an anaphylaxis allergy.
• Having emergency procedures in place for anaphylactic pupils. (e-laws.gov.on.ca)

Ryan’s Law – Ensuring Asthma-Friendly Schools April 2015

• Every school principal shall permit a pupil to carry his or her asthma medication if the pupil has his or her parent or guardian’s permission.
• If the pupil is 16 years or older, the pupil is not required to have his or her parent or guardian’s permission to carry his or her asthma medication.

Administration of asthma medication

• Employees may be preauthorized to administer medication or supervise a pupil while he or she takes medication in response to an asthma exacerbation; if the school has the consent of the parent, guardian, or pupil, as applicable.
• If an employee has reason to believe that a pupil is experiencing an asthma exacerbation, the employee may administer asthma medication to the pupil for the treatment of the exacerbation, even if there is no preauthorization to do so. (e-laws.gov.on.ca)

Rowan’s Law – 2019

Ensures sports associations and schools are responsible to have participants or parents made aware of concussion protocol.

(c) governing concussion codes of conduct required under section 3, including,

(i) specifying circumstances in which a sports organization’s concussion code of conduct applies or does not apply, and

(ii) prescribing rules for determining whether a sports organization’s concussion code of conduct applies in specified circumstances;

(d) governing removal-from-sport protocols and return-to-sport protocols, including,

(i) specifying circumstances in which a sports organization’s removal-from-sport protocol or return-to-sport protocol applies or does not apply, and

(ii) prescribing rules for determining whether a sports organization’s removal-from-sport protocol or return-to-sport protocol applies in specified circumstances;(Rowan’s Law)

Personal Protective Equipment – (P.P.E.)

Non-latex examination gloves and barrier devices are P.P.E for First Aiders. When used properly, gloves and barrier devices greatly help reduce the chance of contracting a communicable disease. These diseases can be contracted through the air and through body fluids. Examples are blood, vomit, spit, and feces.