Secondary Survey / Recovery Position Updated Oct 2010

[MyLulu8]

That is a waste of time. It is better to put them in recovery position first and then do the secondary survey

[mjtrainme]

@MyLulu8 Hi, please remember as already stated below this is a revision video. You should attend a training course at which time your trainer would emphasise the requirement to always treat and maintain the breathing/airway as a priority. This video is to remind first aiders of how they should perform a top to toe survey. However this secondary survey can be performed once the casualty has been turned into the recovery position and also on a conscious casualty as well.

[mjtrainme]

Pls remember this is a revision training video for candidates that have undertaken a first aid course (as stated in the accompanied wording). When attending a training course candidates are instructed in the importance of maintaining the airway & to turn the casualty immediately if the breathing was abnormal or there was a concern regarding vomiting etc The emphasis here is on revision of the top to toe survey which CAN be carried out in various positions. Regarding the head just bad acting!

[martinmetal73]

omg that is shocking if the casualty is unconcious they go into recovery position asap dont waste time on secondary survey. The lack of head control was very bad (the casualty repositioned her head!)

[sanguinius4]

She isn't doing at all well, airway wasn't held open, took ages to put in recovery position.

[mjtrainme]

@sanguinius4 Hi I know it does look like she's dead, but I can assure you she is still alive & well. Lol

However it appear to take a long time to perform the top to toe survey, video time is only

4.14mins. In that time the airway was checked twice, at the beginning & halfway through. We can last without oxygen for 3 mins before sustaining damage to the brain! If you had concerns you could ask someone to maintain the airway or turn the casualty into the recovery position then check for injuries

[sanguinius4]

@mjtrainme I know its a demo and not real. What I am talking about is along priorities, making sure they keep breathing and don't choke, the best way to do that is to get them into recovery position where they are safer and the airway is protected, which is not achieved while doing a secondary survey, it is secondary, perform the survey after the recovery position. which protects that airway that is part of the primary survey.

[mjtrainme]

@sanguinius4 I agree, I was trying to make the conversation light-hearted! In an ideal world a good turn into recovery position maintaining the neck and spinal alignment would be best as it also ensures minimal movement of stomach acid as well. Lay person first aiders however tend to be very concious of causing further injury so its a fine line between what's best for the casualty and giving the first aider the confidence to treat the casualty. Bit like Vinnie Jones and Compression only CPR.

[MrPritchardtom]

ring the ambulance