First Aid Providers
Have you been in a first aid situation? Finding yourself in a first aid situation can be a tough experience. When the ambulance leaves, one are often left with many thoughts and questions. We offer conversations with experienced health professionals where we can review the incident together and you can get answers to any questions. The offer applies to anyone who has been present or performed first aid to an unconscious person.
Contact
Please call us on phone number: 02415.
Please contact Anne Friis Thommassen in case of questions.
E-mail: anne.friis.thommassen@sus.no
The offer is free and we have a duty of confidentiality.
Foto: Svein Lunde, SUS
First aider providing CPR. Foto: Svein Lunde, Helse Stavanger
The patient's outcome
Due to the duty of confidentiality, we are not able to publish information about a
specific incident or specific patient. If the patient or the patient's relatives agree
to, we can still inform whether the patient has survived or not. We also answer any
medical and technical questions you have on a general basis.
If you have been present at a cardiac arrest event and you know that the patient died,
it is important to know that only 1 in 6 cardiac arrest patients survive. Poor
cardiopulmonary resuscitation does not cause the patient to die. Also, good cardiopulmonary resuscitation is no guarantee that the patient survives. There are many factors that affect the outcome for the patient. Chances of survival depends on e.g. the patient's age, whether anyone was present at the moment the patient had a cardiac arrest, arrival time of the ambulance, whether the patient has other
underlying diseases etc. It is important to know that it is very difficult to inflict any serious injury during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The most important thing is that you try to do what you can.
Tough to be a first aider
Calling 113 is an important part of first aid. Those of you who failed to perform first aid should know that it is not uncommon to be paralyzed in an emergency situation. Even experienced healthcare professionals may experience this if ending up unprepared in a first aid situation. It can be especially tough to perform first aid to family, friends or acquaintances. Whether you were in a first aid situation where you
did not managed to help or others present who took over the responsibility, it can be tough to witness that some are seriously ill or injured.
Foto: Svein Lunde, SUS
Emergency responders performing CPR on pasient. Firstaider stands alone. Foto: Svein Lunde, Helse Stavanger.
It is not uncommon to have thoughts and pondering after being in a first aid situation. One can reflect on the patients outcome and some feel guilt for not reacting quickly enough or feel they provided inadequate first aid. Some may encounter difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, weight loss and problems functioning in everyday life. Others experience numbness, and that they are not
able to take in the experience.
Do you wish to talk to someone?
One does not have to experience any of the above ailments to enter into a conversation with us. We believe that many first aiders will benefit from a review of such an incident along with professionals. However, it is not the case that everyone needs follow-up
after a first aid incident. But if you want someone to talk to, you can contact us. For some, thoughts and feelings may even come gradually. In those cases it can be good to know that it is never too late to contact us.
The offer is free and we have a duty of confidentiality.
Contact
Please call us on phone number: 02415.
Please contact Anne Friis Thommassen in case of questions.
E-mail: anne.friis.thommassen@sus.no
In case of emergency call 113
If it's a little urgent, call the emergency room 116117