parenting peacefully since 2006

05 Feb, 2010

Child Basic Resuscitation :: Australia

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth ()

This week I'm sharing the notes I took during a half-day first aid course. I hope you enjoy and benefit from them, but please remember that this information is not a substitute for hands-on first aid training.
 
Several things I learned in class were specific to Australia, and I will share them here. What are the equivalents where you live?
 

image source :: greenwichmeantime
 
The emergency telephone number in Australia is 000. Or, on a mobile phone, dial 112 (this will work even without a SIM card in the phone). Either can be dialed while the mobile phone keypad is locked.
 
Emergency calls are routed to a central call centre in the Eastern States, so you must specify from which state you are calling (e.g. Western Australia), as well as the town, address, and a street crossing to help the ambulance find you as quickly as possible.
 
Good Samaritan laws protect first aiders responding to a casualty as long as they "acted as a calm and rational person of the same level of training would have under the same circumstances."
 
Anyone who performs first aid and feels anxious or distressed as a result can call the St John counseling service. Staff are trained to help first aiders work through intense emotions.
 
With excellent training, laws to protect ordinary citizens who want to help their neighbours, and an emotional safety net available via trained counselors, I feel confident that I can use my new first aid skills to "do something, help somebody."
 

4 Responses to "Child Basic Resuscitation :: Australia"

1 | maryanne

February 6th, 2010 at 08:07

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Wow, this seems very well-organized.

I remember that in the UK the emergency number (for mobile phones at least) was 999. It could be dialed even on a locked phone, and I remember nearly calling it by accident a couple times when the 9 key was held down for one reason or another. Maybe that’s why they added the 2 on the end of the mobile number in Australia?
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blissfule Reply:

Good point, MaryAnne – I think it must happen a lot where 999 gets dialled accidentally in the UK. According to Wikipedia, 112 is the standard emergency number in the EU and works most places in the world via GSM-enabled mobile phones. I’ve seen conflicting reports on whether 112 works on mobile phones in North America – maybe it does just on certain types of phone?

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2 | Megan

February 7th, 2010 at 08:43

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We have 911. I also agree that they likely don’t make them all the same digit to avoid accidental dialing.

Also, cell phone providers here encourage you to program in up to 3 ICE (in case of emergency) numbers so that if you are unable to make a call from your own phone, someone that rescues you can call an emergency contact and notify them of your state. That makes it easy for someone to locate if they just have to scroll down and find ICE1, ICE2, or ICE3.
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[Reply]

blissfule Reply:

Thank you, Megan! ICE numbers were a big deal when we were in London after the bombings, but I had forgotten about them. And I never thought to have three of them. ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 – going to put them in my mobile phone now! Thanks again!!

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about

Blissful E is about parenting peacefully, sustainably, joyfully, and with a view toward maximizing long-term benefits for the entire family.
 
I believe that the more wisely we invest in the early years of our children's lives, the greater the benefits for us and them as they grow.
 
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