First Aid Responder Responsibilities

Using a limited amount of equipment, a first aid provider must perform a quick initial assessment, and administer immediate life support and care while waiting for EMS. When a notification of emergency is received, the first aid responder must safely respond to the location given.

The responder must:

• Have a basic understanding of the scene safety
• Have an understanding of bodily fluid isolation
• Understand the legal and ethical concepts related to first aid
• Understand the scope of first aid care as defined by regulatory agencies such as OSHA and MSHA

In addition to the previous points, a first aid responder must also have the technical knowledge to accomplish the following:

• Open and maintain an airway.
• Ventilate ill or injured persons.
• Administer CPR.
• Provide first aid of single and multiple limb trauma such as:
  • Controlling bleeding
  • Applying wound care
  • Stabilizing injured extremities
• Providing first aid to
  • Manage general medical problems such as epilepsy or stroke
  • Measure levels of responsiveness
  • Manage environmental emergencies such as carbon monoxide poisoning
• Search for medical identification emblems to identify any preexisting conditions.
• Reassure ill or injured persons and bystanders.
• Avoid mishandling or causing further harm to the patient.
• Continue to assess ill or injured person(s) while waiting for EMS response.
• Provide oral report observations and first aid details of the ill or injured person(s) to EMS.
• Provide additional assistance to EMS personnel if necessary.

To learn more about Workplace First Aid visit our Workplace First Aid Online Training web page.