Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

1 Introduction to First Aid

Introduction to First Aid Legal Aspects

Given the nature of first aid, many times you will not have access to medical supplies. The first aider must think and improvise. Many common items are excellent temporary substitutes. Additional legislation exists such as the “Sabrina Law” for administering Epi-Pen to an Anaphylaxis patient and “Chase McEachern Act” for performing Automated External Defibrillation (AED) to a sudden cardiac arrest.

• Consent • Actions • Responsibility

Consent – Before treating a patient you must identify yourself as a First Aider and get permission to treat them. This is called patient consent. Actions – You must use reasonable skill and provide care within your knowledge and training. Responsibility – If you provide first aid for a person, then you assume responsibility for them until they are well enough to not require help greater than your own. You cannot be negligent or abandon the patient.

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