As a paramedic in Sydney, I frequently respond to workplace incidents, whether at construction sites, schools, or offices. While many workplaces handle emergencies effectively, others have room for improvement. Here are the three most common mistakes I observe when 000 is called:
1. Failing to Provide Clear & Accurate Information
Emergency operators rely on precise details to dispatch the right resources and provide guidance. The information you provide will allow the call taker to triage the patient into one of four categories which determines how time critical the case is. For critical incidents like a cardiac arrest expect an ambulance to be dispatched within a few minutes of the call.
My tips:
- Create a document with the address of your workplace, nearest cross street and a call back number if not a mobile.
- If you are not at your workplace and are unsure of where you are, provide 000 with your ‘what 3 words’ which can be found on the emergency plus app. This is a way to share your location quickly and accurately.
- If the best access to your workplace is different to the address provided, make sure you share this information with the call taker. This can save paramedics a lot of time.
2. Poor Communication From First Aiders
When I attend a workplace incident I will often speak to the first aider to receive a handover about the patient. Use the time waiting for an ambulance to gather information about the patient so when the paramedics arrive you can give them a 30 second handover and bring them up to speed.
My tips:
- In certain situations the 000 call taker will stay on the line with you and continue to ask you questions. Your answers are being displayed on a screen in the ambulance so the paramedics can form a plan for when they arrive. Make sure you remain calm and provide as much detail as you can.
- For cases where 000 cannot stay on the line with you it is important to continue asking the patient questions. These can include previous medical history, medications, allergies and questions about the current presentation such as when did this start and has this ever happened before.
3. Not Assigning Roles During an Emergency
In cases where people have a sudden cardiac arrest requiring CPR, the scene can be very chaotic. When everyone assumes someone else is handling the situation, or when multiple people act without coordination, situations can get out of hand. This can lead to delays in calling 000, assisting the patient, or guiding paramedics to the scene.
My tips:
- Things will run a lot smoother if one first aider is the lead as opposed to many people trying to treat the patient. Leaders can be pre-assigned as part of emergency action plan.
- If enough people around have been trained in first aid then the assigned leader should delegate tasks. For example, one person calls 000, one person waits outside for the ambulance, one person finds a defibrillator.
- In the case of CPR being performed, the leader would take a step back and run the scene rather than focusing on single tasks such as performing CPR.
Interested in Organising a First Aid Course for Your Workplace?
The First Aid School provides on-site first aid training courses for workplaces and communities across Sydney. We are a registered training organisation (RTO 90909) with a team of operational paramedics who deliver first aid training through realistic, scenario-based practices. Book onsite first aid training for your workplace or community group today.
For more information about first aid training courses and prices, contact Sydney’s leading first aid training RTO, The First Aid School. We offer on-site group first aid training, where our experienced paramedics will provide training at your workplace, school, community hall, or sporting club. Our group training courses, led by a qualified paramedic, ensure that your first aid training is both time-effective and cost-efficient, equipping the whole team with the necessary resources to react and handle emergencies.
