Act FAST if you suspect a stroke

Stroke victims are becoming younger according to the latest Public Health England report, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42871861

“Everyone needs to be aware of the signs of a stroke”, these are the words of Professor Julia Verne, director of Public Health England, on learning that strokes are affecting younger people.

Between 2007 and 2016 the number of first-time strokes suffered by 40 to 69-year-olds rose from 33% to 38%

She continued, “Calling 999 as soon as you see even one of the symptoms develop – in the face, arms and speech – is essential. Speedy treatment will help prevent deaths and disability.”

Knowing the signs

The importance of knowing the signs and what to look for is crucial.

Although there is little in the way of first aid to be done, apart from making sure the person is safe and comfortable.

The most important advice is to call 999/112 immediately you notice the symptoms.

Scared to help?

If you witness an accident or see someone taken ill, what’s your first reaction?

Will you avert your eyes and carry on past?

Stand back and wait for somebody else to make a move, because you don’t feel confident?

Pick up your phone and call 999 and hope someone will come along to help?

View things with suspicion, because it may be a scam to steal or attack you?

Worry you may be sued if you help and something goes wrong?

Or do you just roll up your sleeves and confidently do something positive to help?

Our first consideration must always be, for our own safety and that of any bystanders.

What’s happened is it an accident or some mendacious scam.

Will you put yourself at risk of injury if you attempt to help.

These are just some of the questions you ask yourself and the assessment you must make.

Any first aid instructor will tell you, the first thing you must do is check for danger to yourself and others.

The casualty:

Maybe they’re lying in a busy road?

Holding on to an electrical appliance?

Surrounded by an unidentifiable liquid?

In an unstable building with debris hanging above them or collapsed floors?

Or do they have a knife sticking out of their chest?

Whether you favour walking past or have the empathetic urge to rush to help, are polar opposites, but both are natural human reactions to a situation.

If the casualty is conscious, always ask them first if they want your help and if they decline don’t force them, but if their unconscious do what you can.

The scriptures of 2000 years ago relate the story first, and in the two millennia, nothing has changed.

Your worry may be that in these highly litigious times, you could be sued, if something goes wrong.

In the UK, the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism (SARAH) Bill, known as the Good Samaritan’s Act, protects anyone trying to help, as long as they believe they’re doing something for “the benefit of society”.

Finally, as long as what you attempt is in good faith, with the intention to help, there really is no reason to be scared to help

CPR First Aid Training has a course suitable for your needs, whether First Aid at Work, for the full qualification or Basic Life support skills, we want you to have the confidence to act in an emergency – Book here

Cardiac arrests do not discriminate.

A sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time.

Your heart stops beating normally and you lose consciousness.

No matter your age, gender, or ability there is no discrimination, it can be any one of us.

In fact, whether you live in a city or a rural village, your public access AED (automated external defibrillator) is literally a life-saver.

Most importantly, it gives the local community a feeling of safety and well-being.

Therefore, once you have one, you must let people know about it, and the basics of how to activate and use it.

The Resuscitation Council’s, “Chain of Survival”, says best practice for treatment of cardiac arrests is:

Early Recognition of Cardiac Arrest

First of all, check to see if they’re responsive and breathing. Gently tap on their shoulders, try to get a response. Then listen and feel for breath on your cheek and look for the rise and fall of their chest, check they’re breathing normally.

Early CPR

Secondly, begin CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation), immediately you know the person isn’t breathing, call the ambulance service and start chest compressions. Start with 30 and then give 2 rescue breaths and continue repeating this.

Importantly, don’t worry about hurting them, the person lying on the floor in front of you, is technically dead.

You can only improve their survival rate.

Early Defibrillation.

By investing in an AED it keeps our communities safe, but make sure everyone knows where they’re kept.

I recently visited a sports club, they have an AED, unfortunately, most members didn’t know it was kept on top of the kitchen cupboard.

Most importantly, a public access AED, must be available to anyone, because, nobody knows who may need it.

If you own a defibrillator, be generous, make it available for public use.

By registering your device with the ambulance service, you make sure they can tell people quickly, where and how to access it.

And it’s a good idea to know where your nearest AED  is located, it makes an enormous difference to survival.

Early Hospitalisation

Firstly, this means getting them to professional medical care at the earliest possible time.

By alerting the ambulance service immediately you know the casualty isn’t breathing, you will get help quickly.

And don’t forget, funding a Public Access AED may be possible through the British Heart Foundation supported Heart Start.

Alternatively, we can direct you to a supplier for purchase or rental, from as little as 99p per day.

All CPR First Aid Training Courses include AED instruction.

Book here for First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work, Basic Life Support, Paediatric First Aid or non regulated sports injury courses