Allergies - Animated

St John Ambulance

18 Jul 202202:08

Summary

TLDRThis video script outlines crucial steps for aiding a casualty with a severe allergic reaction, emphasizing the urgency of calling emergency services and checking for an adrenaline autoinjector. It advises on helping the casualty breathe, monitoring their condition, and remaining calm until help arrives. The script also mentions administering a second injection if needed and the possibility of performing CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

Takeaways

🚨 Call 999 or 112 immediately if you suspect a severe allergic reaction—it's a life-threatening condition.
💉 Ask the casualty if they have an autoinjector with them, as it's a common emergency treatment for severe allergies.
🤝 Assist the casualty in using the autoinjector if they have one, ensuring it's held in place as instructed.
🧘‍♂️ Help the casualty sit in a position that facilitates breathing and stay with them throughout the ordeal.
👃 Keep checking the casualty's breathing, looking for signs of difficulty such as wheezing or labored breaths.
🔁 Administer a second dose of the autoinjector after five minutes if there's no improvement.
🌡 If the casualty becomes pale or weak, lay them down with their legs raised to support circulation.
🆘 Stay with the casualty until professional help arrives, providing reassurance and keeping them calm.
🛑 Be prepared to perform basic life support and CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive or their condition worsens.
🔄 Remember that the casualty's condition can change rapidly, so constant vigilance and readiness for action are crucial.

Q & A

What is the first thing to do if you suspect someone is having a severe allergic reaction?
-Call 999 or 112 immediately for help, and inform the operator that you suspect an allergic reaction.
Why is it important to avoid putting your face near the mouth and nose of a casualty during a severe allergic reaction?
-It is important to avoid this to prevent any potential risk of infection or contamination, and to maintain a safe distance for both the rescuer and the casualty.
What is an autoinjector and why might a person with allergies carry one?
-An autoinjector is a device that contains a pre-measured dose of adrenaline for emergency use. People with severe allergies often carry one to quickly treat an allergic reaction.
How should the autoinjector be used if available?
-The autoinjector should be held in place for three seconds or as instructed on the device, to deliver the adrenaline dose.
What position should a casualty be in to help with their breathing during a severe allergic reaction?
-The casualty should be helped to sit in a position that facilitates breathing, such as an upright or semi-upright position.
Why is it crucial to keep checking the casualty's breathing during a severe allergic reaction?
-It is crucial to monitor the casualty's breathing to detect any changes or difficulties that may indicate worsening airway swelling or obstruction.
What signs might indicate that a casualty is having difficulty breathing due to a severe allergic reaction?
-Signs may include labored breathing, wheezing sounds, or an overall appearance of struggle when breathing.
How can you reassure a casualty that help is on the way during a severe allergic reaction?
-Reassure them verbally that help is coming, and maintain a calm demeanor to help keep them calm as well.
Under what circumstances might a second injection from the autoinjector be given?
-A second injection can be given after five minutes if there has been no improvement in the casualty's condition.
What should you do if the casualty becomes pale or weak during a severe allergic reaction?
-Lay them down with their legs raised and supported to help with blood flow and maintain their comfort until help arrives.
What is the final step to take if the casualty becomes unresponsive during a severe allergic reaction?
-Be prepared to initiate basic life support, including CPR, if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

Outlines

00:00

🚑 Responding to a Severe Allergic Reaction

This paragraph outlines the initial steps to take when encountering a casualty with a severe allergic reaction. It emphasizes the urgency of the situation, advising immediate calling of emergency services (999 or 112) and providing information about the suspected allergic reaction. It also instructs to check if the casualty has an autoinjector of adrenaline, and if so, to assist them in using it correctly. The importance of helping the casualty sit in a position that facilitates breathing and monitoring their breathing is highlighted. Additionally, it advises to look for signs of difficulty in breathing and to listen for wheezing sounds. The script also mentions the possibility of administering a second injection after five minutes if there's no improvement and the steps to take if the casualty becomes pale or weak. The role of reassurance and staying with the casualty until help arrives is stressed, along with the potential need for basic life support and CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Casualty

A casualty refers to an individual who has been injured or is otherwise in need of assistance, particularly in the context of an emergency or a medical crisis. In the video, the term is used to describe the person experiencing a severe allergic reaction, highlighting the urgency and the need for immediate action. The script advises to keep a safe distance from the casualty's face to avoid potential contact with allergens.

💡Severe allergic reaction

A severe allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis, is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. The video script emphasizes the seriousness of this condition and the importance of recognizing its symptoms to provide appropriate first aid, such as calling emergency services and administering an adrenaline autoinjector if available.

💡Adrenaline autoinjector

An adrenaline autoinjector, commonly known as an EpiPen, is a device that delivers a measured dose of adrenaline to counteract the effects of a severe allergic reaction. The script mentions that people with known allergies often carry this device and instructs the viewer to assist the casualty in using it if they have one on hand.

💡Breathing

Breathing is a fundamental physiological process necessary for life. In the context of the video, monitoring the casualty's breathing is crucial as a severe allergic reaction can cause airway swelling, making it difficult for the individual to breathe. The script advises to look for signs of labored breathing and listen for wheezing, which are indicators of potential respiratory distress.

💡Wheezing

Wheezing is a high-pitched sound that occurs during breathing when the airways are narrowed or obstructed. In the script, the presence of a wheezing sound is used as an indicator of respiratory difficulty that may accompany a severe allergic reaction, signaling the need for continued monitoring and reassurance.

💡Calm

Maintaining a calm demeanor is important in emergency situations to prevent escalating the situation and to provide reassurance to the casualty. The video script repeatedly emphasizes the importance of keeping the casualty calm, as stress can exacerbate symptoms of an allergic reaction.

💡Position

The position in which a casualty is placed can significantly affect their ability to breathe, especially in cases of respiratory distress. The script suggests helping the casualty to sit in a position that facilitates breathing, which can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with a severe allergic reaction.

💡Pale or weak

Becoming pale or weak can be signs of a worsening condition in someone experiencing a severe allergic reaction. The script advises to lay the casualty down with their legs raised if they exhibit these symptoms, which can help improve blood flow and prevent further complications.

💡Basic life support (BLS)

Basic life support, or BLS, refers to the emergency medical procedures used to provide care to someone who is unresponsive or not breathing. The video script mentions that if the casualty becomes unresponsive, one should be prepared to initiate BLS, which includes CPR, to maintain vital functions until professional help arrives.

💡CPR

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving technique used when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. The script includes CPR as a potential action to take if the casualty becomes unresponsive, emphasizing the importance of being prepared to provide this critical intervention in the event of a severe allergic reaction.

Highlights

Avoid putting your face near the mouth and nose of a casualty during a severe allergic reaction.

Call 999 or 112 immediately for help if you suspect a severe allergic reaction.

Inform emergency services that you suspect an allergic reaction when calling for help.

Ask the casualty if they have an adrenaline autoinjector, as people with allergies often carry them.

Help the casualty use their autoinjector if they have one, holding it in place for three seconds or as instructed.

Assist the casualty to sit in a position that facilitates breathing and stay with them.

Regularly check the casualty's breathing and keep them calm, as severe reactions can cause airway swelling.

Observe for signs of difficulty breathing, such as wheezing sounds, in a severe allergic reaction.

Reassure the casualty that help is on the way and maintain their calmness.

Administer a second injection after five minutes if there is no improvement from the first.

If the casualty becomes pale or weak, lay them down with their legs raised and supported.

Stay with the casualty until help arrives, continuing to reassure and keep them calm.

Be prepared to use basic life support and start CPR if the casualty's condition worsens or they become unresponsive.

Remember that a severe allergic reaction is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate action.

The importance of staying with the casualty and providing ongoing reassurance and support cannot be overstated.

Recognize the potential for a casualty's condition to deteriorate rapidly in a severe allergic reaction.

Understand the critical role of emergency services in managing a severe allergic reaction.

Learn the steps to take when encountering a casualty with a severe allergic reaction to ensure their safety.