‘SAFE TAC’

AIMS OF THIS PRESENTATION

• By the end of this presentation you will:– Have a structured method in which to approach

an incident - known as ‘SAFE TAC’– Know how to signal for help– Know how to send a (M)ETHANE report

BACKGROUND• Why you should know this:

– Any one of us can come across an emergency situation, anywhere, at any time.

– People look towards those with medical training for help.

– If you have a general system to work through:• You will be calmer• You will be more organised• It will help afterwards when you reflect on what has

happened.

S – SHOUT / SIGNAL / SEND FOR HELP

SHOUT FOR HELP

6 BLAST

S every minute

FIRE AT NIGHT, SMOKE IN THE

DAY

999KEEP LINE OF

COMMUNICATION OPEN!

SURVIVAL BAG / OTHER GROUND TO AIR SIGNALS

A – ASSESS SCENE• What has happened?• What danger is there?• What injuries is the casualty likely to have?• Always walk the last 5m in, gives you time

to think.

F – FREE SCENE FROM DANGER, FIND (& FREE)

CASUALTY• Free from danger– Stop traffic - Don IPE– Turn off engines - Put out fires

• Find casualty– Actively search for casualties, especially in mass

incidents.

• Free casualty– If too dangerous to assess / treat

• (4Fs: fire, flood, fumes, fuel)

E- EVALUATE CASUALTY• QUICK evaluation as you walk towards the casualty

– Noisy breathing = airway problem– Chest rising & falling too quickly / not enough =

breathing problem– Blood spurting = circulation problem

• QUICK primary survey (i.e. sufficient for triage)• Remember: Catastrophic Haemorrhage is

dealt with before anything else.

T - TRIAGECan the patient

walk? P3 - Delayed

Is the patient breathing?

Dead

Two rescue breaths.Any response?

P1- ImmediateRepiratory Rate<10 or 30<

Pulse >120 P2 - Urgent

Open airway, if needed

Y

N

N

N

N

N

YY

Y

Y

“Don’t pause to treat or you will have failed in your task”

A - ASSESS• Full Primary Survey:

–Airway – ‘ALOA’

–Breathing – RR, Sound, ‘TWELVE FLAPS’

–Circulation – Pulse, CR, ‘Blood on floor + 4 more’

–Disability – AVPU, PEARL

–Exposure / Environment / Evacuation–(DEFG = Don’t Ever Forget Glucose)

C - COMMUNICATION• (M)ETHANE:

– (Major Incident or My call sign [military] )

–Exact location

–Type of Incident

–Hazards

–Access / Egress

–Number of Casualties

–Emergency services / Equipment required

C - COMMUNICATIONE – Exact location: Simonside Hills, Grid Ref NU 030990

T – Type of incident: Man fallen out of tree

H – Hazards: Possible falling branches

A – Access and Egress: Forestry track 50m due West, can be accessed from road running SE from Gt Tosson, right turn approx 1.5 km from village.

N – Number of casualties: One casualty – adult male

E – Emergency services required – Mountain Rescue

• Any questions?

AIMS OF THIS PRESENTATION

• By the end of this presentation you will:– Have a structured method in which to approach

an incident– Know how to signal for help– Know how to send a (M)ETHANE report

SUMMARY• Send / Shout / Signal for help• Assess the scene• Free scene from danger, find (&free) casualty• Evaluate casualty• Triage• Assess ABCs• Communication – ETHANE report

References / Acknowledgements

• MIRA course handbook • Wilderness SSC wiki space:

– http://ssc2008.wikispaces.com• Hill Walking – Long 2004• Casualty Care in Mountain Rescue – Ellerton

2006• BATLS handbook – JRAMC • RAC Crewman Class 3• Rose & Alison’s photos