PATHFINDER SPECIALIST AWARD

1. SRXEMR001 Respond to Emergency Situations PATHFINDER SPECIALIST AWARD April 2010

2. INTRODUCTION • An emergency is an unexpected situation that requires immediate action.

3. INTRODUCTION • Pre-planning a response to an emergency can minimize resultant stress levels, resolve the emergency faster and more relevantly.

4. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • The purpose of an emergency is to gain some control of the situation by following a pre-determined procedure. • The more time we spend identifying risk in activities and outlining procedures in case of emergency, the better prepared we will be to respond in the event of an emergency.

5. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency During the Emergency Recognise Emergencies 1st ResponseEstablish a Safe Environment Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency 2nd ResponseContain the Situation Outline Response Methods 3rd ResponseControl and Rescue Emergency Stations 4th Response*Resolve the Emergency Evaluate Restore Equipment

6. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency Recognise Emergencies

7. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Recognise Emergencies Identify all the possible risks associated with the activity.

8. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency Recognise Emergencies Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency

9. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency • Discuss potential emergency situations. • Control risk factors. • Accept appropriate levels of risk. • Monitor risk levels.

10. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency Recognise Emergencies Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency Outline Response Methods

11. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Outline Response Methods • Outline a response method for every risk identified for the particular activity you are conducting. • A table is a good way of recording this:

12. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency Recognise Emergencies Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency Outline Response Methods Emergency Stations

13. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Emergency Stations • Equipment required to assist in case of an emergency. • Must be relevant to the activity and potential emergencies connected to it. • Must always be in good working order and available in the area where the emergency may take place. • Emergency stations must be mobile in the outdoors • The location of each item must be known by each member of the group (particularly when equipment is carried by different people).

14. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency During the Emergency Recognise Emergencies 1st ResponseEstablish a Safe Environment Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency Outline Response Methods Emergency Stations

15. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • First Response: Establish a Safe Environment • Ensure the person(s) involved are safe and not going to cause themselves more harm. • Remove or minimize any hazards before reaching the patient(s). • Ensure the rest of the group is safe and out of danger. • Never rush in and risk creating another emergency. • Apply first aid to stabilise the patient.

16. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency During the Emergency Recognise Emergencies 1st ResponseEstablish a Safe Environment Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency 2nd ResponseContain the Situation Outline Response Methods Emergency Stations

17. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Second Response: Contain the Situation • Discuss the details of the situation. • Decide which emergency response plan will address the issue in order to bring the emergency under control. • Identify the emergency station(s) required.

18. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency During the Emergency Recognise Emergencies 1st ResponseEstablish a Safe Environment Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency 2nd ResponseContain the Situation Outline Response Methods 3rd ResponseControl and Rescue Emergency Stations

19. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Third Response: Control and Rescue • Put into action the plans decided on in the second response. • The result is that the problem is either overcome, brought under control or the emergency has caused a change of plans in order to bring the situation under control.

20. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency During the Emergency Recognise Emergencies 1st ResponseEstablish a Safe Environment Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency 2nd ResponseContain the Situation Outline Response Methods 3rd ResponseControl and Rescue Emergency Stations 4th Response*Resolve the Emergency

21. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Fourth Response: Resolve the Emergency • Resolution is achieved by: • Eliminating the problem. • Solving the problem. • Reducing the problem. • Moving away from the problem.

22. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency During the Emergency Recognise Emergencies 1st ResponseEstablish a Safe Environment Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency 2nd ResponseContain the Situation Outline Response Methods 3rd ResponseControl and Rescue Emergency Stations 4th Response*Resolve the Emergency Evaluate

23. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Evaluate • After an emergency, the group needs to: • Identify the causes of the emergency. • Express personal feelings. • Identify what can be learned from the experience. • Make changes to the emergency procedures where applicable. • Be encouraging to one another, emphasize learning from mistakes.

24. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL Before the Emergency During the Emergency Recognise Emergencies 1st ResponseEstablish a Safe Environment Risk Analysis: Planning for an Emergency 2nd ResponseContain the Situation Outline Response Methods 3rd ResponseControl and Rescue Emergency Stations 4th Response*Resolve the Emergency Evaluate Restore Equipment

25. AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MODEL • Restore Equipment • If rescue equipment has been used: • Check for damage. • Repair if necessary. • Repack, ready for future use.

26. COMMUNICATING AN EMERGENCY PROCEDURE • All emergency procedures must be discussed and clearly communicated to all staff (and participants as necessary). • This can be done by: • Involving all staff in identifying emergency procedures for an activity. • Providing written details of emergency procedures. • Reviewing procedures with staff during the activity.

27. COMMUNICATING AN EMERGENCY PROCEDURE • All emergency procedures must be discussed and clearly communicated to all staff (and participants as necessary). • This can be done by: • Sharing with participants an outline of procedures that may affect them doing an activity. • Ensuring at least two methods of communication are available for communicating with rescue organisations, where practical.

28. COMMUNICATION METHODS • Verbal Communication • Use loud, clear and simple words. • Stay within hearing distance of each other for best result.

29. COMMUNICATION METHODS • Hand Signals • Rafting, canoeing, kayaking, sea-kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling have specific hand signals for different situations. • Use these in the context of each respective activity.

30. COMMUNICATION METHODS • Whistles • Carry while bushwalking and only use in an emergency. • Sometimes used to communicate during long abseils on high cliffs or in caves.

31. COMMUNICATION METHODS • Telephone Communication • Mobile phones: many wilderness areas now have mobile phone coverage. • Satellite phones: are able to cover Australia, New Zealand and most of the South Pacific. They are particularly valuable in very remote areas however they will not work inside a cave. They are relatively cheap to hire.

32. COMMUNICATION METHODS • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) • An emergency radio transmitter which, when triggered, sends an automatic signal on frequencies monitored by rescue coordinating centres. • They are required on all boats over a certain length. • They come in a light-weight unit (less than 250g) that can be used by bushwalkers and other outdoor groups. • There are weaknesses.

33. COMMUNICATION METHODS • Weaknesses of EPIRB • Signals may not be received from canyons, deep gorges or thick rainforest. • EPIRB’s only send one message – “we need help” not “we are just a bit lost and are working it out.” • Once triggered it cannot be recalled. In case of false alarms, notify authorities immediately.

34. COMMUNICATION METHODS • Weaknesses of EPIRB • EPIRB’s only transmit information. They cannot be used to seek advice. Processing the message to a local rescue group takes time. Users need to wait and make the best of the situation. • Most signals triggered by EPIRB’s are received by aircraft. Every effort should be made to become as visible as possible to searchers and aircraft: • - Bushwalking – cleared area / smoking fire (day time). • - Sea kayaking – blankets laid out on beach / signalling mirror / smoke flare.

35. FIRST AID • All injuries need to be handled according to the procedures laid down by qualified First Aid or Emergency Medical Aid Providers using the DRABC formula: • Danger • Response • Airway • Breathing • Circulation

36. FIRST AID • All credential holders of the PLA and PSA must have a nationally recognised, current first aid certificate. • Two most common first aid certificate providers are the Red Cross and St Johns.

37. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Psychological First Aid (PFA). • Also known as Comfort Care. • Goal is to reduce stress, assist with current needs, promote adaptive functioning and avoid eliciting details of traumatic experiences and losses. • Needs to be provided throughout the whole process of emergency response.

38. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Five central elements of PFA are: • Safety • Calm • Connectedness to others • Self efficacy or empowerment • Hope to all those impacted by the trauma

39. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Safety • Help people meet basic needs for food and shelter and obtain medical attention. • Provide repeated, simple and accurate information on how to obtain these basic needs.

40. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Calm • Listen to people who wish to share their stories and emotions and remember there is no wrong or right way to feel. • Be friendly and compassionate even if people are being difficult. • Offer accurate information about the disaster or trauma and the relief efforts underway to help victims understand the situation.

41. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Connectedness • Help people contact friends or loved ones. • Keep families together. Keep children with parents or other close relatives whenever possible.

42. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Self-Efficacy • Give practical suggestions that steer people towards helping themselves. • Engage people in meeting their own needs.

43. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Hope • Remind people (if you know) that more help and services are on the way when they express fear or worry.

44. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID • Things to avoid in PFA • Force people to share their stories with you. • Give simple reassurances like “everything will be ok” or “at least you survived”. • Tell people what you think they should be feeling/thinking. • Tell people why you think they have suffered by alluding to personal behaviours or beliefs of victims. • Make promises that may not be kept. • Criticise current efforts undertaken by other people.

45. PATIENT EVACUATION • One-Person Carry • Requires at least 4 people. Rope and coil carry

46. PATIENT EVACUATION • One-Person Carry • Requires at least 4 people. Nylon webbing carry

47. PATIENT EVACUATION • One-Person Carry • Requires at least 4 people. One-man crutch

48. PATIENT EVACUATION • One-Person Carry • Requires at least 4 people. Piggy Back

49. PATIENT EVACUATION • One-Person Carry • Requires at least 4 people. Crossed slings and pole carry

50. PATIENT EVACUATION • Two-Person Carry • Requires at least 8 people. Four hand seat carry