"In a crisis, the plan you trained for is the only plan you have."
Medical Emergency Response
Instructor Sele: A security guard is often the first person on scene at a medical emergency — before the ambulance, before the paramedic, sometimes before anyone else knows something is wrong. What you do in the first few minutes can be the difference between life and death. This module gives you those minutes.
Section 1 — The Primary Survey (DR ABC)
When you arrive at a medical emergency, conduct the Primary Survey before doing anything else. D — Danger: is the scene safe? Do not become a second casualty. R — Response: is the person conscious? Call their name, tap their shoulder firmly. A — Airway: tilt the head back gently and lift the chin to open the airway. B — Breathing: look, listen, and feel for breathing for up to 10 seconds. C — Circulation/Compression: if not breathing, begin chest compressions immediately. Call for help before beginning if you are alone.
Section 2 — CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
If a person is unconscious and not breathing: call 911 immediately — or direct a bystander to call while you begin CPR. Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the chest (lower half of the breastbone). Place your other hand on top, fingers interlaced. Compress the chest to a depth of 5–6 cm at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
If trained in rescue breathing: after 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths. If not trained: continue hands-only compressions at 100–120 per minute. Do not stop until professional medical help arrives or the person shows signs of life.
Section 3 — The Golden Hour
The golden hour in trauma medicine refers to the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury — the period during which rapid medical intervention significantly improves survival outcomes. For a guard, the implications are: call emergency services immediately — every minute of delay reduces survival probability; control severe bleeding (direct pressure, tourniquet if available and trained); do not remove embedded objects — stabilise them in place; keep the patient warm and still; maintain monitoring until professional help arrives.
Section 4 — Specific Medical Emergencies
Suspected spinal injury: Do NOT move the person unless there is an immediate life threat (fire, flood). Stabilise the head and neck in the position found. Wait for medical professionals.
Suspected heart attack: person may be conscious — lay them down, loosen tight clothing, give aspirin (300mg) if available and not allergic, call 911, do not leave them alone.
Severe bleeding: apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Do not remove the cloth — add more on top. Elevate the limb if possible. Maintain pressure until help arrives.
Suspected gas or chemical exposure: move the person to fresh air immediately. Do not enter the contaminated area without protection. Call 911 and provide substance details if known.
- •Primary Survey: Danger → Response → Airway → Breathing → Circulation (DR ABC)
- •CPR: 30 compressions to 2 breaths at 100–120 compressions per minute — do not stop until help arrives
- •The golden hour: every minute counts — call 911 immediately and control bleeding
- •Never move a person with a suspected spinal injury unless there is an immediate life threat
- •Your role is to stabilise and maintain until professional medical help arrives
"A guard on one of our sites found a colleague collapsed in the car park. He didn't freeze. He checked for danger, checked for response, checked the airway — just as trained. The man was not breathing. He began CPR and had a colleague call 911. The paramedics arrived 9 minutes later. The collapsed guard survived a cardiac arrest because his colleague trained and then used that training without hesitation."
What is the correct first aid response to a suspected spinal injury?