The safety and welfare of staff and students should not be compromised by the possibility that a person may have COVID-19. First aid and lifesaving treatments should be administered where or when the need arises.
It is essential to recognise that there is a relevantly low risk of being infected with COVID-19, therefore, it is extremely important that first aid and lifesaving treatments such as CPR are administered to those who require it, and normal practices are followed.
There are a several simple steps that can be taken to maintain your own safety and the safety of those you are caring for. These do not necessarily pertain only to first aid. These steps are:
- Washing your hands with running water and soap and then drying them thoroughly.
- Using a hand sanitiser if running water and soap are not available and allowing them to air dry.
- Applying hand moisturiser.
- Practicing sneeze etiquette, using disposable tissues and disposing of them in a suitable rubbish bin (closed top and foot operated) or using the crook of your arm to sneeze into.
- Don’t attend work, other places or provide care to others if you feel unwell.
Steps for providing care to those requiring first aid:
- Where possible wash or sanitise hands before providing first aid.
- Ensure that all personal protective equipment is utilised appropriately, this includes disposable gloves and safety glasses, as well as CPR face shields.
- Provide first aid and lifesaving treatments.
- After providing care wash hands with running water and soap or hand sanitiser allow them to dry thoroughly and then apply hand moisturiser.
- Use disinfectant wipes to wipe down any non-disposable items that you may have come into contact with.
- Follow the required reporting procedures.
If you suspect that you are providing care to a person who has an upper respiratory tract infection consistent with COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, sore throat shortness of breath) and has recently returned from overseas, or been in a contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19, where possible place a disposable mask on them and limited contact by maintain social distancing – without negating your responsibility to provide first aid or lifesaving treatments.