How to Provide Effective Emergency Leadership During First Aid

An emergency scene with injured people is not the place for democracy or consensus-based decision making. Decisive leadership can mean the difference between life and death.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber Or Latex Gloves
• Pens
• Pens
• White Paper
• White paper

1. Take a deep breath. Focus your attention on being calm, methodical and thorough.

2. Make sure the scene is safe. (See "How to Maximize the Safety of an Emergency Scene During First Aid.")

3. Put on latex gloves to prevent infection or transmission of disease. Have other rescuers do the same.

4. Assign a scribe, whose task is to record important information such as vital signs and the nature of the injuries.

5. Match the severity of the situation against your resources (time, people, material).

6. Delegate tasks to other rescuers according to your assessment.

7. Check in frequently with other rescuers by asking questions: How are they feeling? Is there anything they need?

8. Follow up, once the emergency is over, by asking for people's frank assessments of how you performed as a leader. Take note, and apply appropriate criticisms to the next emergency.

Tips & Warnings

• Reassure those who are having difficulty dealing with the inherent tension of the situation. Let them know that everyone stands the best chance if everyone stays focused on the tasks at hand.
• Empower those with fewer first aid skills by assigning them simple yet meaningful tasks, such as applying pressure to a bleeding wound. (See "How to Stop Mild Bleeding During First Aid" and "How to Treat Severe Bleeding During First Aid.")
• When dealing with those who question your judgment, listen to what they say and determine your reaction based on what is best for all involved, not on whether the question was asked rudely, or on your feelings toward the person raising the question.
• If rescuers begin to argue amongst themselves, try to redirect their attention, as calmly and compassionately as possible, to their immediate tasks.
• Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for information about first aid classes near you.
• Contact the Wilderness Medicine Institute or the National Outdoor Leadership School for information about wilderness medicine courses and books.
• To whatever extent possible, make sure all rescuers have latex gloves, surgical masks and protective goggles to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[DancingEMT]

on 7/31/2008 These are very good recommendations for those who may be trained to act in emergency situations. Remember also what you have been trained to do and the other people who may be on scene. Always defer leadership to someone with a higher level of training, and never attempt any skill or treatment in which you have not been sufficiently trained. No one should attempt to handle a real medical emergency on their own- the first step should be to call 911 and get the appropriate resources on scene.

on 11/22/2005 Never tell someone to call 911. Always tell someone specifically. Point at them, make eye contact, and speak in an assertive voice. It helps if you tell 2 people, but not more than 4, because you want 911 to be able to focus.