First Aid

Introduction 

Although Societies do not have the same mandatory health and safety responsibilities that employers do, it is good practice to have a medical emergency procedure in place to deal with first aid emergencies as part of your risk management policy for two main reasons:

  1. To ensure that any member that is taken ill or injured is properly taken care of and if necessary receives medical attention as soon as possible
  2. To minimise the amount of disruption caused to other members at either lectures, study days, outings or other events

Every committee member should be familiar with the Society’s medical emergency procedure.

 

The procedure should recognise that an emergency co-ordinator will take charge in the event of a medical emergency. This person need not be a trained in first aid but will be an individual who can act quickly and robustly in an emergency.

 

The Arts Society Insurance

Note that there is no requirement in law or in the The Arts Society Insurance Policy that makes it necessary for someone trained in first-aid to be present at lectures or other events or trips. The Arts Society insurance is in place for committee and other members who act in good faith if there is an allegation of negligence.

 

At Lectures

The following basic measures are offered as suggestions that might form part of your procedures:

  • Make sure one or more committee members (known to the co-ordinator) has a mobile phone or if you are in an area where reception is poor, make sure you know the location of the nearest landline
  • Know your venue’s postcode just in case you have to call an ambulance
  • If your venue has a designated first-aider ensure that you know their name and how to contact them
  • Enquiries should periodically be made of your venue to find out if there are specific requirements or if services are offered

 

Outings / Tours / Other Events 

The guidelines for lectures apply equally for outings or tours but you will have further things to consider when ‘out and about’ with your members. The following are suggestions that may help: 

  • When arranging outings and tours, ask for emergency contact details on the application form and make sure these are to hand during the event
  • When arranging outings, study days or tours consider the capabilities of your average membership. Do not be over-ambitious if most of your members are elderly
  • When advertising an outing, tour or other event make it clear if there is to be quite a lot of walking, or steps or uneven ground. Advise people to wear suitable footwear
  • If a member who is infirm or unsteady on their feet wants to come on an outing encourage them to bring a carer or friend with them to look after them. It is unfair to expect other members to bear the responsibility
  • On outings or tours it is a good idea to have at least two of you to check from time to time that members are coping
  • It is a good idea to perform a head count when returning to the coach

 

Guidelines for an emergency

The following are basic steps for coping with a medical emergency:

 

 Take reasonable first steps

  • The appointed co-ordinator should take charge of the situation
  • Other members should be kept back from any person who is injured or unwell, unless they are a qualified first aider
  • The co-ordinator should take reasonable steps to assist the casualty

 

Assess the situation

  • The co-ordinator should calmly assess the severity of the situation
  • Basic first aid may be administered at the discretion of the co-ordinator
  • The co-ordinator may ask for help from any practiced first-aider who may be on hand
  • Reassuring the casualty (possibly while taking a pulse) can be comforting
  • Depending on the circumstances, try to ensure that the casualty is positioned comfortably and safely
  • Consideration should be given to moving them away from the auditorium or group to a quiet and private position
  • A nearby friend may be able to offer useful information
  • The individual may have In Case of Emergency Information (see below under ICE) on them which may be important
  • If the individual takes medication during an incident the co-ordinator should take a record of what it is

 

Medical emergency

  • If the situation appears severe, the emergency services should be contacted immediately (Dial 999)
  • The emergency services call handler will issue further instructions
  • The St John’s Ambulance Service issue some very helpful guidance called ‘essential first aid advice’ (which can be downloaded at the bottom of this page). It would be helpful for the co-ordinator and committee to have a basic familiarity with it and for it to be on hand, in the safekeeping of the co-ordinator. Copies can be ordered from St. John Ambulance and it might be helpful to pin a copy to a notice board or similar

 

Monitoring

  • If someone is recovering from an incident where emergency services were not required, they should not be left alone but should be allowed to sit away from noisy or busy areas
  • Someone who feels unwell should be persuaded to have a lift home or take a taxi with a friend

 

In Case of Emergency (ICE) Cards

  • Often individuals will carry a card on them (or on a mobile phone) on which key personal contact and other details are noted in case of emergency. It is helpful to remind members that these are useful but their use is not a requirement. If a Society provides blank templates for members it should be made clear that completeness and accuracy remains the responsibility of the individual as will its safe-keeping.

Please click here to download an ICE card template you may wish to use. 

 

Reporting Incidents to The Arts Society 

Relevant incidents should be reported in writing to Tim Nicholls, Finance & Resources Director, The Arts Society House, 8 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DA or tim@theartssociety.org

A relevant incident is one where someone has been harmed and where it could potentially be the fault of the society or another individual.