Asking permission to help Training Video

All Videos > Initial Introduction to First Aid > Asking permission to help

Length: 3 min 50 sec

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Asking permission to help Training Summary:

One simple way of protecting yourself against the fear of possible legal action is to obtain the patients permission by saying, "Hi, my name is Keith. I am a first aider. May I help you?"

A conscious patient may answer verbally by nodding or maybe offering up their injured limb to you. All of these can be taken as gaining the person's consent.

With an unconscious casualty, you still use the same statement, and consent can be deemed to be given as most people in this situation would answer yes if they were able to. If someone refuses your help and you are not able to help them, you can call the emergency services, refer to bosses or family members, and talk to them to try to reassure them.

In the workplace as a first aider, you may have duty of care, and in these cases the casualty will have to come to you for your help.