Safety Spotlight: CPR/First Aid Basics

Knowing hands-only CPR as well as basic first aid is invaluable, especially when working in a high-risk environment. Providing medical help before EMTs arrive can minimize the severity of an injury, reduce secondary complications, and potentially save a life.

Even if you’ve been certified in first aid and CPR, regularly reviewing what to do in an emergency will help you become more confident in your skills. When minutes matter, it’s worth it to be prepared to respond to anything that may happen, starting with cardiac arrest.

Cardiac Arrest

Health organizations, including the American Heart Association, now recommend hands-only CPR, which focuses on compressions, for lay rescuers. Because this type of CPR doesn’t involve rescue breaths, it’s easier for non-medically trained people to perform — and it’s just as effective as traditional CPR in adults with cardiac arrest.

A person needs CPR if they’re unconscious and aren’t breathing or have abnormal breathing, like they’re gasping for air.

If someone is in cardiac arrest, call 911 or have someone else nearby call 911. If an AED is available, have someone get it, turn it on, and follow the prompts.

While you’re waiting for the AED — or if there isn’t one available — start hands-only CPR. Do not waste time checking to see if the person has a pulse.

To administer hands-only CPR:

• Make sure the person is on his back, on a firm, flat surface.
• Kneel beside the person and place the heel of one hand on the center of his chest, with your other hand on top. Interlace your fingers and make sure they’re up off the person’s chest.
• Place your body so your shoulders are directly over your hands. Lock your elbows to keep your arms straight.
• Push hard and fast. The person’s chest should go down by at least 2 inches each time, but not more than 2.4 inches. His chest should rise before you push again.
• Do compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute. This follows the beat of “Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees and “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Continue CPR until the person starts breathing normally, first responders arrive, or an AED is available to use.

Electrical Shock

If someone receives an electrical shock on the jobsite, do not touch him if he’s still in contact with the energized source.

Shut off the power at the source, if possible, and call 911.

If you can’t shut off the power, and you’re certain the voltage is low voltage, use a nonconductive object, such as a broom handle, to separate the person from the source. Move the person as little as possible and be alert for secondary injuries, especially if the person fell from height as a result of the shock.

If you’re not certain of the voltage or the voltage is high voltage, do not approach the person and stay at least 20 feet away.

Once the power source is off or you’re able to separate the person from a low-voltage source, check him for responsiveness and breathing. If he’s unresponsive/not breathing, begin CPR and use an AED, if one is available. Continue CPR until EMTs arrive.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns can damage skin, muscles, nerves, and internal organs — even if the burn doesn’t look that bad.

If someone receives an electrical burn, call 911 immediately. Ensure the power is turned off at the source. If you’re able to touch the person, check for breathing and start CPR if necessary.

Cover burns with a clean, dry cloth. Don’t use a blanket or towel because loose fibers can stick to the burn.

Do not:

• Apply ice.
• Move the person unless the person is in immediate danger.
• Use ointments, creams, or butter on the burn.
• Remove clothing stuck to the burn.

Severe External Bleeding

Call 911 if the wound is deep or you’re not sure how serious it is.

If disposable gloves are available, put them on, then remove any clothing or debris from the wound, but don’t try to clean it. Cover the wound with a clean cloth or sterile gauze and wrap it with a thick bandage or clean cloth, then apply pressure with the palm of your hand. Don’t press on a head wound if you think the person might have fractured his skull.

Help the person lie down, and lift the wound above heart level, if possible. Elevate his feet if you notice signs of shock.

If blood seeps through the bandage, add more gauze or cloth on top of the existing bandage and keep pressing firmly on the area until EMTs arrive.

Head Trauma

If someone falls and hits his head, don’t move him unless he’s in danger and don’t remove his hard hat, if he’s wearing one.

Call 911 and stop any bleeding; don’t apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture.

If the person isn’t breathing, begin CPR until EMTs arrive.

Shock

Shock can occur after electrical injuries, burns, severe bleeding, including internal bleeding, or trauma. It’s caused by a sudden drop in blood flow, preventing internal organs from getting enough oxygen. If it’s not treated, it can permanently damage organs or kill someone.

Symptoms of shock include:

• Pale, cool, clammy skin
• Rapid pulse
• Weakness
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Enlarged pupils

If you suspect someone is in shock, call 911.

Then lay the person flat, unless you think he might have a spinal injury, and slightly prop up his legs, if possible. Keep the person warm — make sure to cover his head, hands, and feet. Do not give him anything to eat or drink.

If the person vomits or is bleeding from the mouth, and you don’t suspect a spinal injury, turn the person onto one side so he doesn’t choke. If he’s unresponsive and isn’t breathing, start CPR.

Eye Injuries

The seriousness of an eye injury depends on the situation. A small speck of dust in an eye can be irritating, while a piece of metal or glass is dangerous.

If you or a crew member gets something in an eye, do not:

• Rub, touch, or apply pressure to the eye; doing so can scratch the cornea or push the object in deeper.
• Try to remove something that’s stuck.
• Touch the eye with tweezers, cotton swabs, toothpicks, or other “tools.”

If small particles, like dust or wood chips, get in your eye:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your face.
• Immediately remove contact lenses, if you wear them, and don’t wear them again until your eye has healed.
• Blink repeatedly; your natural tears may flush out the object.
• Gently pull your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid to help dislodge particles trapped under the upper lid.
• Rinse your eye at an eyewash station, if there’s one on the jobsite. If not, use clean, lukewarm water or sterile saline solution to try to flush away the debris.

If metal, glass, or other debris gets in your eye, do not touch your eye or the debris and go straight to the emergency room. If you get chemicals in your eyes, immediately flush your eyes for at least 15 minutes and then get medical care.

Eye trauma can also be a serious issue. If you or a crew member receive a direct blow to the eye, place a protective cover over the eye; for example, you can tape the bottom of a paper cup to the facial bones around the eye.

Don’t rinse the eye or apply pressure, and seek medical attention immediately.

Jobsite Safety Starts with the Right Support

Being prepared to help a crew member in an emergency is a critical jobsite skill. Crescent Electric local teams are knowledgeable, experienced, and ready to help you select what you need to keep you and your workforce safe.