STA First Aid Courses to Implement 2015 Resuscitation Guidelines

Posted on 21st March 2016

From 1st June 2016, all STA First Aid courses will implement the 2015 Resuscitation Guidelines.

The changes to STA courses are summarised below.

Shout for Help

This step has been removed from the Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm. There is no longer a need to focus on this step, place emphasis on:
- The use of 112
- Mobile phones being used on loud speaker
- Ensuring an ambulance and AED have been called for.

Treatment of Bleeding

The general treatment for bleeding is now SEPD, which stands for:
- Sit or Lay
- Examine
- Pressure
- Dress

Catastrophic Bleeding

The primary survey is altered slightly where catastrophic bleeding is present, the primary survey then becomes CABC:
- Catastrophic Bleeding
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
Tourniquets and haemostatic dressings need only be taught for remote locations where emergency medical services are a significant distance away, or in high-risk industries where life-threatening bleeding is a potential risk.

Sucking Chest Wound

The treatment for such a wound is to leave it open rather than sealing on three sides. This is due to the fact that most dressings inadvertently stop airflow (become occlusive).

Diabetes

The treatment of low blood sugar now includes guidance on how much glucose to administer to casualties. See below.

Adult

Dosage to administer

15-20g glucose to a conscious casualty

Recommended sources

150ml Lucozade original
200ml pure fruit juice
200ml fizzy drink (not diet)
4 jelly babies
20 skittles

Child

Dosage to administer

10g glucose to a conscious casualty