‘SAFE TAC’

1. ‘SAFE TAC’

2. Aims of this presentation • By the end of this presentation you will: • Have a structured method in which to approach an incident - known as ‘SAFE TAC’ • Know how to signal for help • Know how to send a (M)ETHANE report

3. Background • Why you should know this: • Any one of us can come across an emergency situation, anywhere, at any time. • People look towards those with medical training for help. • If you have a general system to work through: • You will be calmer • You will be more organised • It will help afterwards when you reflect on what has happened.

4. S – Shout / Signal / Send for help 6 Blasts every minute Shout for Help 999Keep line of communication open! Fire at night, Smoke in the day Survival Bag / Other Ground to Air Signals

5. A – Assess Scene • What has happened? • What danger is there? • What injuries is the casualty likely to have? • Always walk the last 5m in, gives you time to think.

6. F – Free scene from danger, Find (& Free) casualty • Free from danger • Stop traffic - Don IPE • Turn off engines - Put out fires • Find casualty • Actively search for casualties, especially in mass incidents. • Free casualty • If too dangerous to assess / treat • (4Fs: fire, flood, fumes, fuel)

7. E- Evaluate Casualty • QUICK evaluation as you walk towards the casualty • Noisy breathing = airway problem • Chest rising & falling too quickly / not enough = breathing problem • Blood spurting = circulation problem • QUICK primary survey (i.e. sufficient for triage) • Remember: Catastrophic Haemorrhage is dealt with before anything else.

8. T - Triage Can the patient walk? P3 - Delayed Y N Open airway, if needed Dead N Is the patient breathing? Two rescue breaths. Any response? N Y Y Repiratory Rate <10 or 30< P1-Immediate Y N Y Pulse >120 P2 - Urgent N “Don’t pause to treat or you will have failed in your task”

9. A - Assess • Full Primary Survey: • Airway – ‘ALOA’ • Breathing – RR, Sound, ‘TWELVE FLAPS’ • Circulation – Pulse, CR, ‘Blood on floor + 4 more’ • Disability – AVPU, PEARL • Exposure / Environment / Evacuation • (DEFG = Don’t Ever Forget Glucose)

10. C - Communication • (M)ETHANE: • (Major Incident or My call sign [military] ) • Exact location • Type of Incident • Hazards • Access / Egress • Number of Casualties • Emergency services / Equipment required

11. C - Communication E – Exact location: Simonside Hills, Grid Ref NU 030990 T – Type of incident: Man fallen out of tree H – Hazards: Possible falling branches A – Access and Egress: Forestry track 50m due West, can be accessed from road running SE from GtTosson, right turn approx 1.5 km from village. N – Number of casualties: One casualty – adult male E – Emergency services required – Mountain Rescue

12. Any questions?

13. Aims of this presentation • By the end of this presentation you will: • Have a structured method in which to approach an incident • Know how to signal for help • Know how to send a (M)ETHANE report

14. Summary • Send / Shout / Signal for help • Assess the scene • Free scene from danger, find (&free) casualty • Evaluate casualty • Triage • Assess ABCs • Communication – ETHANE report

15. References / Acknowledgements • MIRA course handbook • Wilderness SSC wiki space: • http://ssc2008.wikispaces.com • Hill Walking – Long 2004 • Casualty Care in Mountain Rescue – Ellerton 2006 • BATLS handbook – JRAMC • RAC Crewman Class 3 • Rose & Alison’s photos