Irvin Irving, Chief of Police

Volume V, Issue 1

December 2021

FIRST AID

Employees of this Department will often find themselves in a situation where medical attention is urgently required to preserve life. 

This Bulletin will help individual officers gain a better understanding of the procedures to follow when administering first aid.

What is inside an Officer First Aid Kit (OFAK)?

OFAKs are designed for penetrative trauma and contain the following:

• • Tourniquet

  • 2x Chest Seals

  • Modular Bandage

  • Scissors

  • Gloves

  • Tape

In addition, OFAKs will also contain 1 dosage of NARCAN nasal spray.

PROCEDURES

The following procedures should be followed by officers on-scene.

Gloves

Before administering first aid, officers shall don gloves that are kept in the OFAK; this protects the officer as well as the patient from body substances.

DR ABCD

• • Danger. Check the surrounding area/patient for any signs of danger. This can include an outstanding suspect, environmental hazards such as gas, etc.

  • Response. Check the patient if they're responsive and aware of their surroundings; talk to them, tap their shoulders, pinch their earlobes, etc. 

  • Airway. Check if the airway is blocked using chin lift/head tilt method.

  • Breathing. Check if the patient is breathing by looking at their chest and feeling for any air coming from their nose/mouth.

  • Compressions (This ties with Circulation). Check if the patient is bleeding, as there's no point starting CPR on a patient that has bled out. Control any bleeding using the equipment in your OFAK. Start chest compressions if there is no pulse. When you begin to feel tired, swap out with another person on-scene.

  • Defibrillator. Your standard patrol vehicle won't have an automatic external defibrillator, however many businesses/buildings do. Check if there is one nearby, as this greatly increases the chances of survival for a patient with no pulse.

Tourniquet

Used for major bleeds on limbs.

• • If you're sure that normal gauze won't be able to stop the bleeding, apply a Tourniquet as soon as possible.

  • Apply the tourniquet as high above the wound on the limb as possible.

  • Check for anything that could interfere with the tourniquet such as items in a pocket.

  • Tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding stops and there is no pulse on the affected limb before securing the handle in place.

  • If bleeding continues, apply a 2nd tourniquet as close to the 1st one as possible; DO NOT REMOVE THE FIRST TOURNIQUET!

  • Note down the time of application on the tourniquet (a tourniquet can be left on for up to 3 hours with no negative effects).

Note: Once in place, a tourniquet should never be taken off or loosened in the field, and should only be removed by medical personnel.

Chest Seal

Used on penetrative trauma to the chest.

• • Use scissors to cut away any clothing/items in the way of the open chest wound to expose the wound.

  • Wipe away any excess sweat, blood or other items which may get in the way of the wound.

  • Place the chest seal directly over the wound site, applying pressure on exhalation to get a tight seal.

  • Roll the victim over to check for any exit wounds.

  • Continue to monitor the respiratory status of the patient.

  • If the patient is conscious, place them into a position of comfort if feasible.

  • If the patient is unconscious, place them into a recovery position, with the injured side being closest to the ground to allow maximum space for the uninjured side's lung to expand.

Modular Bandage

Can be used on a multitude of wounds.

• • Open the pack, grab the Modular Bandage and throw the pack away.

  • Place the pressure cup of the Modular Bandage onto the wound directly, applying pressure.

  • Wrap the bandage around the victim until tight.

  • Secure the bandage using a clip or tape.

NARCAN

NARCAN nasal spray is used for the emergency treatment of opioid overdoses. The symptoms of opioid overdoses can include unresponsiveness, breathing problems, severe sleepiness, pinpoint pupils (uneven pupils), blue-ish discolouration of the skin on extremities. Be sure to request a Rescue Ambulance even if Narcan is successful.

Note: Do not use NARCAN if the patient has one of the following conditions:

• • Cardiac arrest

  • Patient younger than 12 months of age

  • Nasal trauma/obstruction

  • Seizure activity