First Aid Kits

[kevin wooldridge]

Um ... I wasn't specifically thinking of 'on-site' use, but rather more like Davids example of the emergency dental kit. It could be that your archaeological project is located some distance from the nearest vending machine in a pub toilet.....

With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...

[Sparky]

Kevin wrote:

quoteersonally I would include aspirin (to give to heart attack or stroke victims - remember the overweight machine driver, as I was told on a recent first aid course)

I would think that by the time the overweight machine driver has had a heart attack or a stroke, it might be too late. Or, given the victim still has a pulse, is it wise to block their airways with an asprin?

S

[Paul Belford]

Arguably it might be wiser to go for prevention rather than cure and use goggles on high-risk potentially eye-damaging situations like mattocking?

(Speaking as someone who has very rarely followed this advice over the years, goggles being sweaty horrible plasticky things that trap dirt and sweat and fog up during hard mattocking preventing you from seeing what you are doing).

:face-stir:

[Curator Kid]

quote:Originally posted by Paul Belford

Arguably it might be wiser to go for prevention rather than cure and use goggles on high-risk potentially eye-damaging situations like mattocking?

(Speaking as someone who has very rarely followed this advice over the years, goggles being sweaty horrible plasticky things that trap dirt and sweat and fog up during hard mattocking preventing you from seeing what you are doing).

:face-stir:

When digging flinty deposits you could also use the age-old tried and tested incredibly unsafe and stupid not-to-be-recommended practice of swinging the mattock and quickly looking away at the last micro-second. [xx(]

"I'm a time traveller. I point and laugh at archaeologists."

[i_love_rocks]

It's also important to bear in mind that your standard first aid training might not be appropriate for all contexts in which archaeological projects operate, especially if they're situated in remote locations.
There are advanced first aid training courses that cater specifically for remote location first aid, which are slightly more advanced than your standard first aid training course.

Plus, people working in lab settings also have access to the necessary H&S equipment catered specifically for their work environment (e.g. eye-wash facilities). Why shouldn't on-site staff have the same?

[Austin Ainsworth]

quote:Originally posted by kevin wooldridge

Personally I would include aspirin (to give to heart attack or stroke victims - remember the overweight machine driver, as I was told on a recent first aid course), eye bath, some kind of skin cream to relieve sunburn or wind chafe, salt tablets, charcoal tablets and one of those survival blanket things that marathon runners always have over their shoulders. I would also be happy to see condoms, tampons, sun cream, wet wipes and even Davids emergency dental equipment included in a site-related supplementary kit to the basic first aid box (dependant of course upon the location and specific project difficulties).

I think I'll stay within the HSE guidelines for holders of the 'First Aid At Work' certificate, I wouldn't want to invalidate the free personal liability insurance that goes with it; so no pills, potions, lotions or creams - One persons skin cream is another person's allergic reaction.

[BAJR Host]

quote:When digging flinty deposits you could also use the age-old tried and tested incredibly unsafe and stupid not-to-be-recommended practice of swinging the mattock and quickly looking away at the last micro-second

ah... I go for the close my eyes on the down swing.. and hope for a good hit, rather than a dull thud/squelch!


seriously though.. As I said and Oz has reinforced... an official First Aid kit has to remain within HSE guidelines.. what you carry as personal is up to you. THis is interesting for example... does this invalidate any insurance.. and where does this stand with (for example) Diabetics?

Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position.
Mohandas Gandhi

[shavedmonkey]

aspirin ain't gonna help someone having a heart attack... 'specialy not if they're already on Warfarin. There's a good reason why st John Ambulance, the HSE etc reommend minimal contents to a first aid kit. Saves you killing anyone as well.

People who need an epi pen or similar will have one, and will usually know how to use it. Usually, they'll let you know as well, just in case. They tend to not want to die more than you don't want to kill them.

[oldgirl]

quote:Originally posted by Austin Ainsworth

quote:Originally posted by kevin wooldridge

Personally I would include aspirin (to give to heart attack or stroke victims - remember the overweight machine driver, as I was told on a recent first aid course), eye bath, some kind of skin cream to relieve sunburn or wind chafe, salt tablets, charcoal tablets and one of those survival blanket things that marathon runners always have over their shoulders. I would also be happy to see condoms, tampons, sun cream, wet wipes and even Davids emergency dental equipment included in a site-related supplementary kit to the basic first aid box (dependant of course upon the location and specific project difficulties).

I think I'll stay within the HSE guidelines for holders of the 'First Aid At Work' certificate, I wouldn't want to invalidate the free personal liability insurance that goes with it; so no pills, potions, lotions or creams - One persons skin cream is another person's allergic reaction.

You beat me to it! Also, some people have a very bad reaction to asprin, especially if they have stomach ulcers.

On the eyes, I may be wrong but although eye baths are not recommended, I believe that sterile eye wash solution is, the idea being that you rinse the eye under a stream of sterile solution. (And chuck the bottle once you've used it).

I'm prepared to be wrong though! Haven't done a first aid qualification for quite a few years!

[Windbag]

Oldgirl- that's what our first-aid kits have.
The point about drugs and creams is a valid one, and one that applies to PPE as well (non-latex gloves for example). I'm not sure if it applies to suncreams - I've always assumed that a big container of high-factor suncream was a must in hot weather in a site office, but I don't know about issues arising from allergies.

Most major construction site office toilets will contain detergent, barrier cream and moisturiser now as well, but that's getting a bit off-topic!