Learned to swim in 2024. Now I teach it.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Recognise: known exposure plus rapid onset of airway swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, or signs of shock.

2. 02

   Call 112 immediately — say 'anaphylaxis'.

3. 03

   Help the casualty use their own auto-injector (EpiPen / Jext): jab firmly into the outer mid-thigh, hold 3 seconds, massage briefly.

4. 04

   Lay the casualty flat with legs raised. If breathing is easier sitting up, support them in that position.

5. 05

   If no improvement in 5 minutes and a second auto-injector is available, give it.

6. 06

   Monitor airway and breathing continuously. Prepare for CPR if they deteriorate.

7. 07

   Even after improvement, the casualty must go to hospital — biphasic reactions occur.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Once on a firm flat surface, check responsiveness.

2. 02

   Open the airway and check breathing for 10 seconds.

3. 03

   If not breathing normally: give 5 initial rescue breaths (this differs from standard CPR — hypoxia is the primary problem in drowning).

4. 04

   Call 112. Send a bystander for the AED.

5. 05

   Begin standard CPR cycles: 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

6. 06

   Use AED as soon as available — dry the casualty's chest before placing pads.

7. 07

   Continue until EMS take over or the casualty starts breathing normally.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Apply firm, direct pressure over the wound with the cleanest cloth or dressing available.

2. 02

   Maintain pressure — do NOT lift the dressing to check progress.

3. 03

   If blood soaks through, add another dressing on top and keep pressing.

4. 04

   Lay the casualty down and raise the bleeding limb if no fracture is suspected.

5. 05

   Call 112.

6. 06

   If catastrophic limb haemorrhage and direct pressure fails: apply a tourniquet above the wound, tighten until bleeding stops, write the application time on it.

7. 07

   Treat for shock: keep the casualty warm, reassure, monitor breathing.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Check responsiveness: tap shoulders, shout 'Are you OK?' — no response.

2. 02

   Open the airway: head-tilt, chin-lift.

3. 03

   Look, listen, feel for normal breathing for 10 seconds. Agonal gasps don't count.

4. 04

   Call 112. Send a bystander for the nearest AED.

5. 05

   Start CPR: 30 chest compressions, depth 5–6 cm, rate 100–120/min.

6. 06

   Give 2 rescue breaths after each set of 30 compressions.

7. 07

   As soon as AED arrives, switch it on and follow the voice prompts. Continue CPR while pads are placed.

8. 08

   Continue 30:2 cycles until EMS take over, AED advises stop, or casualty shows signs of life.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Do NOT move the casualty out of the water unless their airway is at risk.

2. 02

   Apply an in-water spinal hold: hands gently support the head with thumbs at the cheeks, keeping head, neck and spine in a single line.

3. 03

   Float the casualty to the side of the pool, maintaining alignment, head facing up.

4. 04

   Call 112. Send a colleague for the backboard.

5. 05

   Brief a second rescuer to take over the head-hold while you prepare the board.

6. 06

   Extract using a backboard with at least three rescuers — one always controls the head.

7. 07

   Monitor breathing. If they stop breathing, you must prioritise airway over spinal precaution.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Run FAST assessment — even one positive sign means call 112 immediately.

2. 02

   Face: ask them to smile. Is one side drooping?

3. 03

   Arms: ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift down?

4. 04

   Speech: ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is it slurred or strange?

5. 05

   Time: note the exact time symptoms started — this is critical for the thrombolysis window.

6. 06

   Call 112 and say 'suspected stroke'. Give them the time of onset.

7. 07

   Sit or lie the casualty in a comfortable position, head and shoulders slightly raised.

8. 08

   Nothing by mouth — no food, water, or medication. Swallow may be impaired.

9. 09

   Monitor airway and breathing. Reassure them.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Ask 'Are you choking?' — if they can speak or cough effectively, encourage coughing.

2. 02

   If cough is ineffective or silent: give 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

3. 03

   Check the mouth between attempts — only remove visible obstructions, no finger sweeps.

4. 04

   If still obstructed: 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) — fist above navel, pull sharply inwards and upwards.

5. 05

   Alternate 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the obstruction clears or the casualty becomes unconscious.

6. 06

   If they collapse: lower them to the ground, call 112, begin CPR. Compressions can dislodge the obstruction.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Move to a cool, shaded place. Lie them down with legs slightly raised.

2. 02

   Cool actively: wet the skin with cool water, fan them, place ice packs at the neck, armpits and groin.

3. 03

   Loosen or remove excess clothing.

4. 04

   If fully conscious and able to swallow, offer small sips of cool water.

5. 05

   Monitor for warning signs of heat stroke: altered mental state, confusion, vomiting, very hot dry skin, body temperature over 40°C.

6. 06

   If any heat stroke signs appear, call 112 immediately — this is a medical emergency.

7. 07

   Continue active cooling until EMS arrive or temperature drops below 39°C.

8. 08

   If they become unresponsive, place in the recovery position and monitor breathing.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Remove from the water with the body kept as horizontal as possible — sudden upright posture can cause cardiovascular collapse.

2. 02

   Replace wet clothing with dry blankets. Cover the head.

3. 03

   Insulate the casualty from the ground — they will keep losing heat through it.

4. 04

   Do NOT rub limbs, give alcohol, or apply direct heat to the trunk.

5. 05

   Allow only small sips of warm sweet liquids if the casualty is fully alert.

6. 06

   Call 112. Treat for shock.

7. 07

   If unresponsive and not breathing normally: start CPR — keep going. Hypothermic casualties can recover from extended CPR; do not stop until rewarmed and assessed.

Response — first 60 seconds

1. 01

   Do NOT restrain the casualty. Do NOT put anything in their mouth — including your fingers.

2. 02

   Note the time the seizure started.

3. 03

   Protect them from injury while it runs its course.

4. 04

   Once the jerking stops, gently turn them onto their side (recovery position).

5. 05

   Open the airway, monitor breathing, stay with them as they come around.

6. 06

   Reassure quietly — they may be confused for several minutes (post-ictal phase).

7. 07

   Call 112 if: first seizure, lasts over 5 minutes, repeats without recovery, injury occurred, pregnancy, or not waking up.