Immediate Remedial Measures
What Science Staff should do while waiting for a First Aider
Act quickly. Send a pupil to bring help, eg, to control the class or call a first aider. Keep the casualty as still as possible. Look out for signs of shock (due to loss of blood or other body fluids) or of unconsciousness. Make the situation safe.
Chemical splashes in the eye
Immediately wash the eye with gently-running water for at least 10 minutes, and for much longer in the case of alkalis (unless very dilute). Hold back the eyelids to rinse underneath. Contactlenses must be removed. If the first aider has any concerns, send for an ambulance (and, foralkalis, ensure irrigation is continued during the journey).
Chemicals in the mouth, perhaps swallowed
Do no more than wash out the casualty’s mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Sips of water may help cool the throat and help keep the airway open. If the first aider has concerns after treatment, seek medical help.
Chemical splashes on the skin
Brush off any solids. Wash the skin for 5 minutes or until all traces of the chemical have
disappeared. (If immediately available, for phenol, rinse with glycerine and, for bromine, use sodium thiosulfate solution). Remove clothing as necessary. If the chemical adheres to the skin, wash gently with soap. For chemical burns, irrigate for 20 minutes. If the first aider has concerns after treatment, especially if blistering occurs, seek medical help.
Toxic gas
If more than a sniff is inhaled, sit the casualty down in uncontaminated air. Explain to the first aider that chlorine, bromine, iodine and nitrogen dioxide can have a delayed-action effect. If the first aider has concerns after treatment, seek medical help.
Hair on fire
Smother with a fire blanket, thick cloth or coat, whatever is close to hand.
Clothing on fire
Stop, drop and roll. This means stop the casualty moving around and make her / him lie down on the floor. Then either roll the casualty to smother the flames or, with the flames on top, cover with a fire blanket, thick cloth or coat, whatever is close to hand.
Burns
Cool under gently-running water for 10 minutes or until heat is no longer felt. Call a first aider if there are concerns.
Electric shock
Taking care for your own safety, break contact by switching off or pulling out the plug. If it is necessary to move the casualty with the power still on, use a wooden broom handle or window pole or wear rubber gloves. Call a first aider.
Severe cuts
Lower the casualty to the floor. Raise the wound as high as possible. If feasible, ask the casualty to apply pressure on or as close to the cut as possible, using fingers, a pad of cloth or, better, a sterile dressing (adding further layers as necessary). If the casualty is unable to do so, apply pressure yourself, protecting your skin and clothes from contamination by blood if possible. Leave any embedded large bodies and press around them.
Asthma attack, anaphylactic shock, epileptic fit, etc
Follow the school’s agreed procedures.
Vulnerable pupils will have been trained in what to do.
Help them to access their medication. In the case of anaphylactic shock, those at risk will have access to an Epipen® which allows adrenaline to be injected into the thigh through clothing. Seek medical help.
Fainting
Lie the casualty down on the floor and raise the legs.