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SKILL INDIA Security Training shubhrantje@gmail.com shubhrant mishra security my passion shubhrant mishra security my passion Security my Passion Skill India 4 Mail-shubhrantje@gmail.com ________________________________________ General Duties & Responsibilities 1 1. Professionalism 2. You and the Law 3. Patrolling 4. Writing Notes & Reports 5. Bomb Threats 6. Access Control & Alarm Systems 7. Traffic Control 8. Fire! 9. Working Safely 10. Legal References 11. Resources for Writing Notes 12. & Reports 13. Material Safety Data Sheet 14. Security Guard Training Program 15. 1 General Duties and Responsibilities 16. Protection of People 17. Protection of Property 18. Protection of Information 19. Post Orders 20. 2 Professionalism 21. Attitude and Conduct 22. Effective Communication 23. Interviewing 24. Dealing with Difficult or Angry People 25. Dealing with a Wide Variety of People 26. Discrimination and Harassment 27. Crowd Control 28. Labour Disputes 29. Dealing with the Media 30. You and the Law 31. Legal status of a Security Guard 32. Types of Criminal Offences 33. Powers of Arrest 34. Use of Force 35. Search and Seizure 36. Landlords and Tenants 37. Trespassing and Vandalism 38. Licencing of Security Guards 39. Patrolling 40. Purpose of a Patrol 41. Preparing for a Patrol 42. Patrolling Effectively 43. Patrolling Safely 44. Powers of Observation 45. Security Guard Training Program 46. 5 Writing Notes and Reports 47. Factors Involved in Note Taking 48. What to Include in Notes 49. 24 Hour Clock 50. Phonetic Alphabet 51. Factors Involved in Report Writing 52. How to Improve Report Writing Skills 53. Evidence 54. Protecting a Crime Scene 55. 6 Bomb Threats 56. People Who Make Bomb Threats 57. Threats Received Over the Phone 58. Bomb Threat Checklist 59. Written Threats 60. Evacuation 61. Suspicious Objects 62. 7 Access Control & Alarm Systems 63. Different Levels of Access Control 64. Common Ways to Control Access 65. Main Purpose of an Alarm System 66. How Alarm Systems Operate 67. Responding to an Alarm 68. False Alarms 69. 8 Traffic Control 70. Legal Authority 71. Safety 72. Hand Control Signals 73. Dealing with Emergency Vehicles 74. Responding to Accidents 75. 9 Fire! 76. Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures Plans 77. Being Prepared for Fires 78. Things Needed for a Fire to Start 79. How to Put a Fire Out 80. Fire Hazards 81. Security Guard Training Program 82. Detecting Fires 83. Fighting Fires 84. 10 Working Safely 85. Workplace Safety and Health Act 86. The Right to Know 87. The Right to Participate 88. The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work 89. Employee Responsibilities 90. Working Alone Plans 91. First Aid General Duties & Responsibilities • Observing and reporting • deterring and detecting crime • keeping good public relations • responding to emergencies • controlling access and using alarm systems • patrolling • controlling traffic • finding and reporting safety hazards Protection of • people • property • information – confidentiality – computer crime Post Orders Observing and reporting Observing is not just seeing, but watching very carefully and noting what you see. It means noticing things that you might not usually notice, paying careful attention. Observing carefully will be a big help when you make your notes or prepare a report. Reporting involves telling the proper people about what you’ve observed. You may do this by phone, in a conversation or by a written report. You should report anything unusual that happens during your shift, as well as any instances where rules are not being obeyed. It is important that you keep very careful notes and reports as they may be used as evidence. Deterring and detecting crime Your very presence will deter most criminals from doing something illegal on your site Keeping good public relations On some sites, such as a mall, you will be in constant contact with the public. The client may expect you to give help and information. People may also turn to you if they have a problem. It is important that you always act in a professional manner. Responding to emergencies If an emergency happens on your site you may be the first person that other people turn to for guidance. You will need to respond in the right way. Every site should have an emergency procedures plan and a fire safety plan that outline what to do if these situations happen. You may need to evacuate a building as in the case of a fire. If you know what to do and are able to act quickly, others will have more trust in you. You may also be called upon to deal with other emergencies such as a bomb threat. Bomb threats are not very common but if one does happen on your site you will probably be the person who has to take charge. You must know how to respond in these situations. Controlling access and using alarm systems Security guards often have to control the movement of people, vehicles and materials coming into their site, within the site and leaving the site. This may require checking people’s ID cards, using an alarm system, and inspecting packages and vehicles. Sometimes clients are concerned that their workers are taking goods or information from the site. In these situations you may be asked to do searches of employees as they are leaving the site. You will also need to be on the lookout for any intruders that try to enter the site. Patrolling When you patrol you can observe a much larger area than if you just stay in one place. This helps you to see what is going on and to find hazards at many parts of your site. It also means that you are seen by more people. Someone who is thinking of doing something illegal may change their mind because you are in the area. In this way you help to deter crime. Controlling traffic One of your duties may be to direct traffic within your site. Also, in an emergency, you may be asked to help the police by directing traffic in a public area. Finding and reporting safety hazards Your patrols will involve doing safety inspections on your site and reporting any problems right away. A hazard that is detected and fixed quickly cannot cause an accident or injury. You may save lives by spotting fire hazards or dangerous work habits. As you can see, you will be responsible for a variety of duties. However, your main duties in all situations are to observe, deter and report. Finding and reporting safety hazards Your patrols will involve doing safety inspections on your site and reporting any problems right away. A hazard that is detected and fixed quickly cannot cause an accident or injury. You may save lives by spotting fire hazards or dangerous work habits. As you can see, you will be responsible for a variety of duties. However, your main duties in all situations are to observe, deter and report. Protection of People, Property and Information How do security guards protect people? A large part of your job may be to protect people. You do this in many ways, such as patrolling the site, finding hazards, and controlling who can enter the site. You may also be asked to escort employees, particularly if they are going to their cars late at night. It will be your job to look for anything that might cause a fire or an accident. It is important to make sure that employees are working safely so that no one is put in danger. Also, if a crowd gathers at your site, you may be the person who takes control to make sure that no one is hurt. What do guards do to protect property? One of your main responsibilities is to protect property. In fact, sometimes you may be the only person on a site. This might happen in the case of a warehouse or yard where you are on duty at night to protect the area. Property can be damaged or stolen. Damage can happen in many ways. A fire can completely destroy a building if it isn't detected very quickly. Floods or water damage can result from melting snow or frozen pipes. During your patrols you will see problems while they are still small and be able to report them quickly. Intruders can damage equipment or set fires. They may also steal things. Your presence will deter many intruders from coming onto the site and you can take action right away if someone does enter the site illegally. How do I protect information? Protection of information is becoming more important all the time with computers and new privacy laws. A big part of protecting information is knowing when it’s okay to talk about something and when it is not okay. Confidentiality Keeping secret things secret is called confidentiality. Part of your job is to protect information, so you don’t want to be the cause of an “information leak.” As a security guard you are placed in a position of trust and must always act in ways that keep that trust. Guards often carry keys and have access to areas that other people cannot enter. Because of your duties you will see and hear many things that you must keep secret or share only with certain members of the company or with others in the security department. It is very important that you do not talk about these things with other people. Computer crime Computer crime is stealing or damaging computer information. This is becoming a big problem. There are many ways in which computer crimes happen. Data that has been stolen can be used to get goods or services or it can be sold for a profit. For example, financial records can be used to access accounts or credit cards. Data can be stolen or damaged in many ways. An intruder may find confidential information such as passwords or special codes by going through someone’s desk or simply looking in garbage cans. If an employee doesn’t log off of their computer when they should, someone else can use it to see private information or make changes to files. Someone can put a virus into a program in one computer and this can cause damage to many computers in many different sites. People from outside as well as people from within the company can be involved in computer crimes at your site. One of your jobs may be to escort people through restricted areas to make sure that they don’t have access to confidential information. It is not easy to know if someone is involved in computer crimes. However, there are some signs that may mean that computer crimes could be happening on your site. Watch for any of the following: • employees who are angry at the company or who have been fired • private information such as pass codes that have been left out in an area where they can easily be seen • people using computers that belong to someone else • someone who works at home a lot and comes into work at odd hours or at times when you don’t expect them • employees who arrive early or leave late but don’t seem to do much company work during these times • employees who talk too freely about things that they should keep secret • people from outside who are allowed to work in a restricted area where no one is watching them You will need to use your common sense when deciding if something that you see may mean that someone is involved in computer crimes. If you see something that you are concerned about, report it. Post Orders Your duties will be outlined in your post orders. You will also need to know the company’s standard operating procedures. Standard operating procedures Standard operating procedures cover company policies and ways of doing things. These relate to all sites in the company. These may include expectations such as dressing neatly, being honest and treating the public politely. They may also tell about company rules as well as health and safety issues for the workplace. Post orders Post orders are sometimes called standing orders. They are the procedures and rules for a specific area or post. They may vary from area to area within the company. Each post has its own post orders. Post orders are your most important reference. They tell in detail what is involved in your job. Here are some things that post orders may include: • contact numbers for emergency personnel • where the post is • what hours the shifts are • how and when to do patrols • when to lock and unlock doors • how to report problems, etc. • specific instructions about what to do in an emergency such as a bomb threat, a fire, intruders, injured employees • what to do if there is a power failure, flood, or equipment breakdown, etc. • special duties, such as deliveries, and when to perform them • rules about who you should let into your area and how you should control the entrance Be sure to carefully read all updates or changes in your post orders. Sometimes you may see that something is missing from your post orders or that something needs to be changed. You should report these things to your supervisor or manager. You will also receive memos or notices with special instructions that are not included in your post orders. These may be for a specific event or a situation that will only last for a short time, such as an open house. Your post orders will also outline the way in which you are expected to do your duties. You may be given a fixed post where you stand or sit in one place or you may be expected to do patrols where you check a certain area on foot or in a vehicle. Words to Know The following words appear in this unit. Many of these words are used in different ways. This list only includes the meanings that are important for this unit. Try the exercise on the next page to see how well you know the words. You can read the meanings first to help you with the exercise. • access routes= the ways in and out of a building or site • client =the owner or landlord at the place where you are working • confidential =private • data =facts or information • to detect =to notice, to become aware of • to deter= to prevent or discourage • to enforce= to make sure that a rule or regulation is followed • to evacuate =to empty, to get people to leave an area • evidence =anything that proves something or gives a reason for believingsomething • guidance =advice or information for solving a problem or difficulty • hazard =danger • illegal =against the law • to inspect =to look at carefully • intruder =someone who has entered an area where they are not supposed to be • procedure =way of doing things • responsibility= something that you must do, watch over or take care of • responsible= in charge and likely to take the blame if anything goes wrong • restricted =limited to only certain people, not for the general public • o site= the place where you are guarding Professionalism • • Appearance • Attitude and Conduct • • integrity • • discipline • • public relations • Effective Communication • • active listening • • way of speaking • • body language • • interviewing • • questioning • • dealing with difficult or angry people • People with Special Needs • • people who are hard of hearing or Deaf • • people who are visually impaired or blind • • people with mobility needs • • people with physical problems that affect their behaviour • • people whose first language is not English • • seniors and young people • • people with mental illness • Discrimination and Harassment • • stereotyping • Crowd Control • • different types of crowds • • dealing with hostile crowds • Labour Disputes • Dealing with the Media Appearance Usually the first thing people notice about you is how you look. If you look professional people will be more likely to treat you with respect. Part of a security guard’s role is to deter crime. To do this you must be easily seen. Most guards wear uniforms so they will be seen quickly and easily. Your employer will supply you with a uniform that you must wear at all times while working. You will give a professional appearance if you • shower or bath daily. • brush your teeth regularly. • keep your hair well-groomed and clean (including hair on your face). • have clean, trimmed nails. • wear the proper uniform for your job. • make sure your uniform is clean and pressed. • make sure your shoes or boots are clean, shined, and in good condition. • look after your equipment. Attitude and Conduct You may have seen security guards who do not seem to do much work or know what’s going on around them. They also do not seem interested in learning new skills. These guards have a negative work attitude. The image that they give the public is that they do not take pride in themselves or their job. Security guards who have a professional attitude are interested in their jobs and the people they meet. Guards with a positive work attitude believe that what they are doing is important. They take pride in themselves and what they do. They • try to improve themselves. • keep up with changes in the industry. • use what they learn ed in training, while they are on the job. • help other employees. • have energy and drive. • try to find better ways to do their job and to make the workplace safer for everyone. • come up with new ideas to improve the image of their company and the security industry and share them with their employer. Professional guards have integrity and discipline. They also communicate well with all sorts of people. What is integrity? Integrity is one of the most important qualities a professional security guard can have. It is an inner guideline that tells the person how to react positively to the outside world. People who have integrity are respectful, reliable, honest and principled. When you are respectful • you like yourself and treat yourself well. • you treat others as you treat yourself. • you understand that it is important to follow laws and orders. • you respect the property of others. When you are reliable • you can be depended on to do your duties to the best of your ability. • you can take control and stay calm in emergencies. • you are on time. You arrive and leave in time to share information with guards on other shifts. Attitude and Conduct You may have seen security guards who do not seem to do much work or know what’s going on around them. They also do not seem interested in learning new skills. These guards have a negative work attitude. The image that they give the public is that they do not take pride in themselves or their job. Security guards who have a professional attitude are interested in their jobs and the people they meet. Guards with a positive work attitude believe that what they are doing is important. They take pride in themselves and what they do. They • try to improve themselves. • keep up with changes in the industry. • use what they learn ed in training, while they are on the job. • help other employees. • have energy and drive. • try to find better ways to do their job and to make the workplace safer for everyone. • come up with new ideas to improve the image of their company and the security industry and share them with their employer. Professional guards have integrity and discipline. They also communicate well with all sorts of people. What is integrity? Integrity is one of the most important qualities a professional security guard can have. It is an inner guideline that tells the person how to react positively to the outside world. People who have integrity are respectful, reliable, honest and principled. When you are respectful • you like yourself and treat yourself well. • you treat others as you treat yourself. • you understand that it is important to follow laws and orders. • you respect the property of others. When you are reliable • you can be depended on to do your duties to the best of your ability. • you can take control and stay calm in emergencies. • you are on time. You arrive and leave in time to share information with guards on other shifts. When you are honest • you tell the truth. • you take responsibility for your actions, instead of blaming others. • you can be trusted to keep information to yourself. • you are sincere. This means that the person that you show to others is the same as who you are inside. When you are principled • you believe in treating everyone fairly. • you speak out if you see someone being treated unfairly. Besides integrity, professional guards also have discipline. Is discipline like self-control? Self-control is certainly a big part of discipline. Some people will criticise you just because you wear a uniform and represent authority. If you become angry you will make things worse. It is also important to remain calm in emergencies, as other people who may be frightened will look to you for guidance. If you are disciplined, you • show strong self-control, even when challenged. • remain calm under stress. • follow procedures with little or no supervision. • are well-organised and carry out your duties with care. • do not become involved in any gossip in your workplace, no matter how hard people try to get you involved or how you feel about it. • enforce the rules and procedures at your site no matter who is involved, from the entry level employee to the president. Are there specific things that I should know about interacting with the public? During your career you will come into contact with all sorts of people with good and bad attitudes. The way that you treat people has a big effect on how they feel about you and how they react to you. Public relations are so important that some companies have whole departments who focus only on this. If you pay attention to the people that you meet and to their needs, you will help to develop good public relations. Your interest in people will also help you to carry out your main duties: to observe, deter and report. You may be posted at a site where no other people are present, especially on the night shift. But remember that your posting may change often unless you have a permanent site. You may be working alone guarding expensive equipment one week, then working with many people in a busy hospital the next week. You must be able to adjust to new sites and challenges, but it is important to treat everyone fairly. Effective Communication What is special about effective communication? Effective communication is communication that works. This happens when people clearly understand each other. Active listening We have all had our mind wander when someone is talking to us. We hear them speaking but we are not really listening to them. If you are a good listener, you are actively involved. To improve your listening skills, keep the following things in mind. • Give the person silence. It allows them to think and express things in their own time and their own way. • Don’t interrupt. • Don’t make judgements. Focus on understanding, instead of who is right or wrong. • Reflect the person’s feelings. This shows the person that you think their feelings are important. Use language to help you understand, like: “You seem upset.” Don’t say, “I know exactly how you feel.” This statement is always false. • Paraphrase. This means trying to repeat what the person has said but using different words. This gives the person a chance to correct any misunderstanding. Use language like: “Let me see if I’ve got this right.” or “What I think you’re saying is …” Way of speaking How you say something is much more important than the actual words. In fact, most studies say that words are only responsible for between 5% and 10% of what you communicate! The tone, volume, and speed at which you deliver your words are very important for getting your message across to others. • Use a respectful, encouraging tone of voice. • Speak with expression, rather than one tone. No one likes communicating with a robot. • Speak loudly enough for people to clearly hear you. • Don’t yell unless you’re trying to warn people of immediate danger. • Adjust your rate of speech to fit the situation. For example, it may be helpful to talk more slowly when speaking with someone who doesn’t speak English well. • Try to use plain language that is used in everyday conversation so most people can understand you. For example, don’t say to someone that they tripped the intrusion contact sensors on the perimeter access control and monitoring system. It would be more helpful to tell the person that they set off an alarm by opening a door. Body language Most of your message is communicated through your body language. Body language is everything but the words you say. Body language includes: posture, hand positions, eye contact, the way that you stand, gestures such as head or hand movements, and facial expressions such as smiling or frowning. Here are some tips for using body language to show you are open to communication. • Start a conversation with a smile. Make sure your facial expression doesn’t disagree with your words. This can be confusing. • Keep a comfortable distance between you and the other person. It shows that you respect the person’s personal space. This is also important for your safety and it gives you a chance to get away. • Stand in a supportive way. Stand at an angle, a leg length away from the other person. Keep an open body position – don’t fold your arms across your chest or put your hands in your pockets. This could make the situation worse. • Keep eye contact at the level that the other person is comfortable with. Remember, many cultures do not value direct, continuous eye contact. • Keep focused on the person. Don’t keep looking past the person, at your watch, etc. It will send the message that you are not really interested. • Avoid distracting movements or gestures, like tapping your pen or drumming your fingers. • Be aware of the other person’s body language. It can help you to understand how they feel. However, don’t make quick judgements based on one thing. For example, just because someone avoids eye contact, it doesn’t mean they are lying. Look at the whole picture. How do I interview witnesses and other people? If an incident happens while you are on duty you may need to interview the people involved or any witnesses. If you practise the active listening skills listed above, most people will be comfortable sharing information with you. Here are some other things you should do. • Find a quiet spot where you will not be bothered, but remember your duties and responsibilities to the site. Whenever possible, you should have a qualified person take over for you while you go off to talk. • Face the person squarely and at their level. If they are sitting, you should also be sitting. • Keep focused on the person’s words. Don’t be thinking about your next question while the person is still talking. Don’t focus on some part of the person’s appearance. If you find your attention drifting, bring it back. • If the person starts talking about something else, gently bring them back to talking about the incident. Remind them that you need to get the facts. • Take detailed notes. Ask the person to slow down if they are talking too fast. Repeat key information to make sure it is correct. beginning of the conversation that you are going to take notes and how important those notes are to your investigation. If the person objects, you will have to make your notes as soon as possible after the interview while things are still fresh in your mind. • Get contact information, if possible, in case you need further information or someone else, such as the police, needs to talk to that witness. • Keep all information that you get confidential. Explain that you will only share information with the people who must have it. • Don’t make promises that you cannot keep. For example, “I will protect your identity,” or “If you cooperate, it will go easier on you.” • Respect a person’s rights. You cannot force someone to help. Rights may vary, such as for children. When I’m interviewing someone, are there certain kinds of questions that I should use? An important part of interviewing someone is to know what kinds of questions to ask and when to ask them. Questions can be divided into two groups: open-ended questions and closed-ended questions. Open-ended questions invite the speaker to tell a story. They are most effective at the beginning of an interview or when you want general information. They could include: “Can you tell me what happened?” “What did you see? “How did that make you feel?” “What did you do next?” Closed-ended questions are used when you want specific information. They are usually answered with “yes” or “no” or short answers. They are useful to help you check information. They could include: “Were there any other witnesses?” “What time did this happen?” “Where were you standing?” Avoid “leading” questions that actually state your opinion. For example, “Why would you do something like that?” “Don’t you think you should have walked away?” Ask one question at a time. Give the person time to answer before asking the next question. If you ask more than one question at a time, the person could become confused because they won’t know which question to answer first. If you think of another question while someone is talking, write it down. You can ask it when the person finishes talking. How do I deal with difficult or angry people? If you behave in a professional manner and communicate effectively, most people will cooperate with you. However, there will always be people who will challenge you. They may do this for a variety of reasons. Maybe they have a problem with the work site you are guarding, maybe they are sick or under a lot of stress, or maybe they just don’t like authorities. You have no control over what happens to these people before they meet you, but you do have control over how you interact with them. What you say, how you say it, and what you do may cause the person to become more or less difficult. Upset or anxious behaviour If you try to always be aware of your surroundings and the people in them, you will be able to detect many problems before they happen. For example, you may see someone who looks like they are anxious or upset. They could be pacing back and forth, wringing their hands, complaining to no one in particular, or looking like they are about to cry. Instead of ignoring these behaviours, try speaking with the person as soon as possible. Approach them gently, make good eye contact, and ask if you can help. You need to make the person feel safe and help them understand that you will do your best to take care of the situation. Sometimes people just need to know that they are not being ignored, especially if they have been waiting for a long time. An example of this would be someone waiting in the emergency ward of a hospital.Practise active listening, and make sure your tone and body language show that you are supportive, not threatening. If you are not able to deal with a complaint, try to direct the person to someone who can help them. If an anxious person thinks that they are being ignored, they may become defencive. Defencive Behaviour Recognise if someone reacts to you in a defencive way. This means they may not listen to what you are saying or act like they don’t trust you. They may be unreasonable or challenge your authority. An example would be someone who doesn’t have a pass and tries to get backstage at a concert. When you ask them to leave, they start arguing with you. They may even insult you. If a person reaches this stage, you need to respond by being directive. This means being firm and in control. It also means setting reasonable limits and letting the person know what will happen if they don’t behave within those limits. Keep your voice clear and calm and your expression neutral. Speak about the positive before the negative. With the person above, you could say, “You can leave on your own, I can escort you out, or I can call the police to remove you.” It is very important that you keep your professional discipline. You may need to tell yourself not to take something personally, practise counting in your head, or breathe deeply. Be aware of what “pushes your buttons” and practise ways for remaining calm in times of conflict. Physically acting out behaviour As people’s anger and frustration increase, so does the build up of energy in their bodies. By the time they are physically acting out, they have lost control. They may need to be restrained for their own safety, as well as the safety of others. Always call for back-up and police if someone becomes violent. Never use more force than necessary. Ask for training in crisis intervention. It will help you learn safe ways to control or restrain After acting out When people regain self-control after acting out, they will feel a decrease in tension. Their breathing will slow down and they will become calmer. They may even say they are sorry for their behaviour. It is important for you to treat them with respect and to give them time to quiet down. Remind them that you are concerned with everyone’s safety including theirs, and try to end on a positive note. As a security guard you will come in contact with violent people. Always remember that there are things you can do to make the situation better or worse. Interacting With a Wide Variety of People All of us are responsible for treating every person with respect and compassion. You must overcome your fears and prejudices, so they don’t have a negative effect on your interactions with others. People who are hard of hearing or Deaf • Get the person’s attention before speaking. Make eye contact. • Face the person while you are speaking and make sure they can see your mouth so they can read your lips. • Speak slowly and clearly. Do not shout. • Use body language and gestures. • Move to a quiet location if necessary. • If the person doesn’t understand you, say your sentence again in a different way. Don’t repeat the same words over and over. • Use a pen and paper to communicate if necessary . People who are visually impaired or blind • Greet the person using a normal tone of voice. • Identify yourself and ask if they need help. • Touch your hand to the back of their hand as a signal for them to take your arm . • Identify anyone else who is present. • Let them tell you the best way to guide them. • Let them know when you are coming to such things as a curb, a rough area in the sidewalk or anything that is in the way. • Describe their surroundings in detail, especially inside a building. • Tell them when they are coming to a door and which way it opens. • Tell them when they are coming to stairs and if they go up or down. • Face the stairs directly and wait for the person to find the edge of the first step. • Stay one step ahead, stop at the end of the stairway. • Let the person know when you are leaving . People with mobility needs These include people in wheelchairs and people who have difficulty walking: • Always ask the person if they need help before acting. • If you are helping someone walk, let them take your arm. Don’t rush. • Advise someone in a wheelchair of difficult access areas at your site. • Communicate with someone in a wheelchair at eye level when possible. • If you are guiding a wheelchair, back down a ramp or curb. • In elevators, pull the wheelchair in so that the person is facing the front. People with physical problems that affect their behaviour Some people you meet will be physically sick, but it may seem like they are drunk or mentally ill. Here are some examples of physical problems: • diabetes – someone who is going into diabetic shock may stagger around or pass out in a coma. • severe infections, the flu, pneumonia – may cause dizziness, confusion, forgetfulness. • concussion or brain injury – may cause confusion, memory loss, aggression. What you do when you meet these people may save their lives. Here are some things to keep in mind: • Never assume you know what someone’s problem is just by what you see. • Introduce yourself and ask how you can help. • Try to get more information by calmly questioning the person or witnesses. • Look for a Medical Alert bracelet or necklace. They contain important information about over 200 different ailments, from allergies to heart disease. • If the person is conscious, always ask permission before you touch them, and explain what you are doing. • If a person is not breathing, begin CPR if you are comfortable doing so, and if you have been trained. Make sure an ambulance is on the way before you try to help. People whose first language is not Here are some things to keep in mind: • Show patience and respect . • Think about what you want to say before you speak. • Speak loudly enough for them to hear you, but don’t yell. • Speak slowly. You may need to ask them to speak more slowly also. • Use short sentences. Avoid difficult words or slang expressions like “stay put” or “hang in there,” etc. • Ask them only one question at a time. • Respect their personal space. • Use gestures, writing and drawing to add to your words. • Check for understanding. Ask them to repeat what you said. Don’t pretend you understand them if you don’t. Ask questions if necessary. • Smile. Friendly body language speaks clearly. Crowd Control A crowd is a large number of people grouped closely together. Here are some types of crowds you may meet while you are on duty. 1-Acquisitive crowd =Members want to get (or acquire) something. 2-Expressive crowd =Members gather to express their feelings. 3-Spectator crowd =Members gather to watch because of a common interest or for entertainment. 4-Sightseer crowd =Members gather without any planning. 5-Escape crowd =This is a group of people who are trying to get away from something they fear. 6-Hostile crowd =This group of people is noisy and threatening. What’s the best way to deal with hostile crowds? 1= Break the crowd into smaller groups -Some people lose their identity in a big crowd. 2=Switch the crowd’s attention -If people on the outside of a crowd are told to “break it up,” this will take their attention away from the middle of the action. 3=Remove the leaders -The crowd will lose a lot of its force if the people trying to keep its energy high are removed. Maybe the crowd doesn’t have an obvious leader, but one or two people are doing things that could influence others, like shoving each other or breaking things. 4=Use a positive role model -Someone who is respected and trusted may be able to get through to the members and help them to calm down. Words to Know to adjust to - to get used to, to make the best of changes anxious - uneasy, nervous to assume - to believe something to be true without knowing all of the facts attitude - way of thinking about things authority - the legal power to control, give orders and make other obey, or a person who has this power to challenge - to disobey, or resist doing what someone want communication - the sharing of thoughts, ideas and feelings between people conduct - the way that you act, how you behave to distract - to break someone’s attention away from something gesture - movement of the hands or head to show an idea or feeling incident - unusual event or happening to interact - to say or do things with another person or persons interaction - a meeting between people when they communicate with each other neutral - showing no emotion – not taking either side in a disagreement (fight, protest, labour dispute) no matter what your feelings are or who seems to be more right public relations- how to get along with the public and how you want the public to see you or the organisation you represent to restrain - to physically control or confine restraint - control, self-discipline stance - how you stand and hold your body supportive - helpful threat - a chance or promise that something bad is going to happen threatening - causing fear, making someone uncomfortable Trespassing and Vandalism (Mischief) Trespassing = is going onto someone else’s property when you do not have the authority to do so or when you are not wanted on the property. Vandalism = is will fully causing damage to property. Patrolling Purpose of a Patrol • detect hazards and emergencies • help employees • check for damage or equipment that is not working properly • detect crimes • protect confidential information • improve community relations Preparing for a Patrol • study post orders • talk to other guards • know your site • check your equipment • develop a plan Observing • use your senses actively • make meaning from the information you get through your senses • improve your memory by focusing, associating and repeating information Keeping Safe • never approach a suspect alone • use your flashlight effectively • use caution with windows and glass doors • use the shadows • be quiet • don’t smoke • watch where you walk • ask questions Patrolling • know when to be seen • take your time • patrol the exterior • look for anything unusual • use your notebook • get to know people • avoid routines • be careful to notice everything on your first patrol • use all your powers of observation Keeping Safe What is the purpose of a patrol? Security guards are hired to protect people, property and information. A uniformed guard will help to deter crime just by being in an area. When you do a patrol you widen the area that you are protecting. Types of Patrolling 1-Detailed Round 2-Subsequent round 3-Outer Round 4-Special Round The purpose of a patrol may be to: • detect hazards v housekeeping hazards, such as piled up garbage or recycling items v maintenance hazards, such as leaks, burnt out lights, electrical cords left across walkways v equipment that has been left on when it is supposed to be turned off, such as coffee pots. You should always check when you are trained to see what the guards can and cannot turn off. As a general rule, computers and copy machines are not touched by security. v safety hazards, such as sparking electrical wires, overheated boilers, ice on walkways. Also look for equipment not being used properly such as hanging items off sprinkler heads or using a fire extinguisher to prop a door open. • detect emergencies, such as fires and floods • help employees by keeping the site safe, reporting injuries, giving first aid or escorting them if they feel unsafe • detect people committing crimes, such as vandalism, break and entry, shoplifting, theft, assault • report equipment or machinery that is not working properly, such as heating and refrigeration units • check for damage to property • protect confidential information by making sure only authorized people are in controlled areas • improve community relations by giving help and information to the public, such as in a shopping mall What should I do to prepare for a patrol? You must be both mentally and physically prepared for every patrol. If you have been working at the same site for a long time you may be tempted to relax and not be as alert as possible. If you miss a danger signal, the consequences can be very serious. To prepare for each patrol you must do the following: 1. Study your post orders – They will be specific to your site and should give you clear orders about what you are expected to do. They contain important information such as the purpose of the patrol, routes, timings, major check points, what to do in an emergency, reporting procedures, and areas that may have safety risks and precautions. Your site supervisor or guards on the shift before yours should tell you about any changes to your post orders. Talk to your supervisor if your post orders are not correct or need to be changed. 2. Talk to other guards – Arrive 15 minutes early to get information and special instructions from anyone who has worked the previous shift. Find out if anything has changed since your last shift, and who is authorised to be on the site. Read the regular occurrence and incident reports from the proceeding shift and from the shifts that may have occurred when you were off (regular days off or extended period of time) . 3. Know your site – Study the layout of the buildings and grounds including any maps or diagrams. If you work night shift, try to visit the site in the daytime so you know what areas could be hazardous in the dark. Draw a diagram to test how well you know the site. This can also help you to remember key areas and the location of special equipment. When you are trained, ask for a tour of the whole site not just the parts that you will be in on a regular basis. A guard needs to be aware of what goes on for the whole property. For everyone’s safety, know exactly where the following are: • telephones (including pay phones) and communications equipment. Know where the power failure phones are on your site. If you use a portable radio or cell phone, know any areas where these devices do not work. • all fire fighting equipment, including hose stations, extinguishers, hydrants, and sprinkler valves and their supply pipes. Also look for signs that these aren’t working properly. • fire alarm boxes, fire doors, fire escapes and fire walls. Know any areas that would have special fire suppression systems and chemicals used in those systems. • “high risk” areas such as pay offices, cash registers, safes, computer rooms, labs, storage areas for valuables or expensive equipment • exterior doors and gates • all stairways – evacuation routes • utility control rooms and shut-off switches • back-up power units • light switches and emergency lighting panels • pipes carrying gas, steam, acid, wastes • storage areas for flammable and / or hazardous materials including gases, acids, explosives or poisons • any dangerous machinery • first aid and medical facilities • “dead zones” where your phone or radio may not work • restricted areas where phones and radios are not allowed, such as in parts of a hospital 4. Check your vehicle if you are on mobile patrol – You should do a complete inspection of the patrol vehicle before you use it. Fill out a Vehicle Inspection Log such as the one on page 17. Make sure the fluid levels are full, your patrol vehicle is in good working condition, and your communication equipment is working well. You should know your patrol area well enough to drive confidently, especially during emergencies. Know all the roads, driveways, and emergency vehicle access routes in your patrol area. 5. Check your equipment – You may not be able to return to your office for supplies once your patrol starts. Make a checklist that you can use before every shift. It should include the following: • uniform – including comfortable shoes and proper clothing for the weather conditions • identification card • radio / pager – in good working order and charged before you head out. If possible you should carry spare batteries. • emergency numbers • flashlight – spare bulbs and batteries • notebook and 2 pens • map or checklist of areas or stations which must be patrolled • watch – to record exact time of incidents • keys and access cards if required. • safety equipment such as goggles, hard hat, steel toed boots, if required • special instructions 6. Develop a plan – Make a list of activities that need to be done on each specific patrol. Plan your route, including a map of major checkpoints, windows, doors, stairways, and high traffic areas. Plan a different route in case of an emergency such as a fire, explosion or chemical leak. If you develop a plan before each patrol you can vary the route and timing, so that it is not too predictable. If you are patrolling in a vehicle your post orders will also outline areas or sites that you must patrol, but you may be able to choose the order in which you visit them. As with a foot patrol, vary the times and routes when possible, so that criminals can’t be sure of your movement. Watch for hazards that could affect your driving and be extra careful in poor weather conditions. The path that is clear and easy going in summer will probably not be that way in the middle of winter so allow extra time to do the whole patrol and do it safely—rushing could be dangerous. Also, you could miss things if you are in hurry. How do I patrol effectively? 1. Know when to be seen – Criminals are less likely to target an area anytime a security guard is clearly visible. During the daytime you will want people to see you as a deterrent. At night you will need to decide what is best for your situation. Should you use the cover of darkness to observe, or is it better to be seen so that you don’t surprise an intruder? Remember, you must be safe to be effective. See the next section, How do I patrol safely? for more information. 2. Take your time – You will notice more if you walk at a slow, steady pace and look all around you. Stop from time to time to listen. 3. Patrol the exterior – Begin your patrol at the perimeter of the property and work your way toward any buildings. Check fences, gates and lights. Look for signs of digging under fences or anything that can be climbed on, such as ladders, trees, or vehicles parked close to a fence. Make sure that there are no signs of forced entry into a building. Don’t just look at locks and windows. Try to open them gently to see that they are secure. This will help you to know if an intruder has been able to enter the building. 4. Patrol the interior – When the outside of the building is secure, quietly enter it. At night move away from the lighted entrance. Listen for any unusual sounds. If you don’t hear anything, turn on the lights and examine each checkpoint outlined in your post orders. Start at the bottom floor and work your way up. It will be harder for an intruder to go past you without you knowing. 5. Look for anything unusual – These signs may show that a crime has happened or is still happening: • strange lights, or a usual light not on • machinery that is jammed or running when it shouldn’t be • pry marks on doors, hinges or windows • gas / steam, water / sewer lines that are plugged, broken or leaking • broken glass in or near windows • wires that are loose or broken • people in places where they should not be. This includes both staff and non-staff areas. • objects that are out of place • obvious signs of a search or disturbance. Open drawers or cabinet doors that should be closed, or that are supposed to be locked. For example, a medicine cabinet that is open and no one is using it or in the room. • missing equipment. For example, a site car that is signed in and was returned but that is not in its parking place. • strange noises, breaking glass or sounds of items being moved in a hurry and not carefully • open doors that should be closed 6. Use your notebook – When you see something unusual, make notes as soon as possible. For example, if you see a strange vehicle, describe it and any occupants in your notes. Write as many details as possible, including the exact time that you observed something. If a crime happens, you won’t have to rely on your memory. This is especially important if you have to testify in court. Have your notebook with you on patrol or when you are investigating occurrences. You will then be able to make notes as things happen or as you discover things. Make sure that you have the right kind of notebook—it should have numbered pages that cannot be easily removed. 7. Get to know people – You will know which people are authorised to be on the property. If you have good relationships with these people, they will trust you with information and let you know about problems. Maintenance people and cleaners can be very helpful because they know how things should work and where things should be. Guards on the previous shift will give you valuable information and instructions. Experienced guards can give you tips about trouble areas or problem people and how to deal with them. 8. Avoid routines – Criminals are aware of fixed habits and time schedules. Make sure you vary yours as much as possible while still meeting the requirements of your post orders. You can change directions (back-track), or mix full patrols with partial patrols. For example, if a foot patrol takes forty minutes to complete, break it up into two twenty-minute rounds. Complete the first half, return to the central starting point, then complete the second half. The next round could be the full forty minute patrol. Don’t be predictable. 9. Be careful to notice everything on your first patrol – If you notice everything on your first patrol you can see if anything has changed on your later patrols. Make sure: • everything is locked that should be locked • all lights and power switches are on or off as required • heating and cooling systems are on or off as required • there are no fire or safety hazards that could cause a problem later • to note the areas where employees are working. This will be helpful in case of an emergency. Talk to the workers you meet so they know you are there if they need help. Getting to know the staff will help you to know their work patterns. Also, if you have a good relationship with the staff, they will be more willing to talk to you about changes or concerns. 10. Use all your powers of observation – Do not rely on your sight alone. Study the principles of observation and rules of memory found later in this section and practise them on each patrol. Make notes, notes, notes. You cannot remember everything exactly as it happens. Small short notes can be turned into fuller reports when your patrol is finished. How do I patrol safely? If you are prepared and follow the suggestions for an effective patrol you will be able to detect problems. Problems can be dangerous to guards, so it is important that you protect your safety. Always remember your job is to observe, deter and report. Let this guide you in making smart choices as you patrol. Here are some general things to remember: 1. Don’t approach a suspect alone – Use a “buddy system” or call for back up. You may be assigned a partner if you work at a site where there is a high risk of criminal activity or violence. Make sure you are not both exposed to the risk at the same time. The second person should be within sight, but safely removed from the danger. For example, if you are asking a trespasser to leave your site, a second security could watch from a distance to make sure the person is cooperating with you. If you see an actual crime in progress, call the police. 2. Watch where you walk – Stay away from slippery surfaces. Go around hazards, not over or under them. If you check out your patrol area during the day, you will be more aware of dangerous areas that can’t be seen as well at night. 3. Ask questions – A simple misunderstanding could put your safety at risk. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for explanations if you don’t understand something. 4. Follow communication instructions – You may be expected to contact your dispatcher after each patrol or follow other reporting orders, especially if you are the only guard on the site. These procedures were created for your safety, so make sure you follow them closely. See Work Alone Plan in Unit 10, Personal Safety at Work, for more details. 5. Don’t smoke – It will affect your ability to smell odours such as smoke and tobacco. Also, a lit cigarette is visible at night. You must take special care when you are patrolling at night. Here are some specific things to remember: 6. Use your flashlight effectively – Turn off your flashlight when it is not needed. If you must leave it on while walking, carry it in front of you at arm’s length away from your body. In this way, if someone attacks you in the area of the light they will not hit your body. Get in the habit of not holding your flashlight in the hand that you write with so you can use your dominant hand to operate your radio or do other things. 7. Use caution with windows and glass doors – Try not to pass directly in front of them. At night your body will be visible as a silhouette. Don’t be a target. If you must pass, walk by quickly. Don’t approach a dark window or door and look inside. Shine your flashlight before approaching and stand to one side when observing. 8. Be careful entering a dark room – You should not just walk into a dark room, especially if you are investigating something suspicious. Open the door first by pushing it all the way open (someone could be behind the door) and shine your flashlight around the whole room before your enter. Identify yourself as security and listen for sounds. If you get a bad feeling or something doesn’t look right, do not enter without back up. Call for back up and then stand back and observe until back up arrives. 9. Know when to be seen and when to be heard – It is important for you to use good judgement and common sense when you patrol at night. At many sites you will want to patrol quietly and walk in the shadows close to buildings. If you are patrolling in a vehicle, minimise any noise from your engine, brakes and tires, and don’t slam doors. Generally, you do not want to set yourself up to be a target by being overly noisy and announcing your presence. If you see anything suspicious happening, you can stay out of sight, make your observations, and report the activity. If you are patrolling alone in an area where you feel uneasy, you may want to make some sound, such as humming or jingling keys. This will let employees know that you are around. You would also not want to surprise one or more criminals in an act, especially if you are blocking their escape route. Making some noise will alert criminals to your presence and deter them from continuing with the crime. It will give them the option of fleeing without harm to you. You can then record any information you have about the events and suspects, and use it to help the police. What should I do if I suspect that a crime has been committed? Get help. Call the police. It is your job to report and their job to enforce the law. Notify your dispatcher and use other guards for back up whenever possible. If no other guards are available as back-up, you should wait for the police whenever possible. In some situations you may need to help someone before the police arrive. An example of this is giving someone first aid. Remember… your main duties are to observe, deter and report. Powers of Observation Security guards are often described as the “eyes and ears” of the client. You are hired to notice and report anything unusual at the site you are guarding. It is very important for you to develop strong powers of observation. A great place to practise is on your patrol. What are powers of observation? Observation is as a process that includes: 1. Noticing – becoming aware of something through any of your five senses 2. Interpreting – organising the information into something meaningful 3. Recalling – remembering the information and being able to access it when you need to Let’s look at this process more closely. 1. Noticing Have you ever stared at a TV screen, but not really seen what was on it or driven from point A to point B, but didn’t remember how you got there? Your brain was on “automatic pilot” and you were probably thinking about something else. Your senses were giving you information, but you weren’t really paying attention. As a security guard you must be actively aware of everything that is going on around you. This is a skill you can develop only with experience and practise. There are some things you should know about the senses. Hearing • Learn to be very familiar with the sounds that you commonly hear at your site. These include the working sounds of loud machines as well as the quieter sounds of heating and cooling units. It is also important to be aware of background noises and what is causing them. If you are near an airport, a construction area or a busy highway you may have trouble hearing unusual sounds because of the background noises. • As you patrol, learn to focus your hearing on any sounds that are out of the ordinary. These include the starting and stopping of machinery or equipment, leaking gas, running water, breaking glass, alarms, screams, arguing, fighting, or voices when there should be none. • You can increase your hearing if you close your eyes and stand still for a moment. • Learn to judge the distance of a sound by how strong the sound is. • Learn to judge what direction a sound is coming from by noticing if it is louder in one ear than the other. Smell Although the human sense of smell is weak compared to that of many animals, it is still very strong. We can recognize thousands of different smells, and we are able to detect tiny amounts of odour. • You can train yourself to become more sensitive to different odors. As you patrol, practice focusing on smells. • Your sense of smell can be very important in protecting your life and the lives of others. Your nose can alert you to the smell of smoke or fumes or vapours before your eyes or ears sense danger. Fumes are the by-product of heating metal and have traces of metal in them. Vapours are wet gases, like steam, that are coming off a liquid such as paint. It is important to know this so that you can choose the type of breathing protection that you may need to enter an area safely. • Be aware of what chemicals are used in your workplace, where they are stored, and how to deal with the effects and threats they pose. Study and review the Emergency section of your post orders and any safety information such as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). All hazardous materials in the workplace should have a label giving important cautions and first aid measures. The law says that must receive training about dangerous products in your workplace. See Unit 10 for more information on this. • Learn to identify odors and be prepared to act fast if you smell anything dangerous. Be aware that smells can cause strong emotional reactions and remain calm. • Know that some vapours from chemicals, gasoline, ether and smoke can deaden your sense of smell. Leave the area as quickly as possible. • Don’t forget to use your sense of smell to describe people or suspicious conditions that you notice while on patrol. Touch • Touch can be used if you find an injured person. You can feel for a person’s pulse or heat from their body. Touch can also be used to comfort someone. Whenever possible get permission to touch someone. Be aware that an unconscious person may become consciousness and be unhappy about being touched. • The heat from a vehicle’s tires or engine can help you determine how long it has been parked on your site. • In the dark, you can use touch to check if windows or doors have been forced open. Be very careful not to disturb evidence that the police or health and safety or insurance officials may need when they investigate. • If you suspect a fire, you can feel a closed door to see if it is hot. If so, do not open it as there is likely fire on the other side. Taste • Taste is closely related to the sense of smell. Our taste buds only allow us to experience sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. • You should never rely on your sense of taste while on patrol. Your other senses will give you more information and you could become seriously ill by putting unknown substances in your mouth. Sight • This is the most important sense used in observation. Most of the information you receive on patrol will be through your eyes. • You must have your vision checked regularly and always wear glasses if you need them. If it is difficult for you to switch from seeing at a distance to close up, you may need progressive lenses. • While on patrol, you must actively scan large areas and examine small areas in detail. Learn to develop eye control—look at things rather than through them. • Look for differences rather than similarities. There are hundreds of blue vans, but few with a dented right rear bumper with red paint on the dent. • Be aware of things that can distort or affect your ability to see. The following table gives some special conditions and suggestions of how to deal with them. Things to Watch for when Observing People Face Forehead Shape: high, low, wide, narrow Skin: smooth, deeply wrinkled, lightly wrinkled Markings moles, scars Hair Type: straight, loose curls, tight curls, waves Style: long, short, parted, neatly combed Eyebrows arched, straight, down slant, up slant, irregular Eye Shapes round, oval, up slant, down slant . Eyelids wide open, partly closed Nose Shape: flat, wide, long, etc. Nostrils: narrow, flared, wide Neck Front: double chin, large Adam’s apple, etc. Sides: hanging jowls Chin Shape: round, oval, pointed, square Other features: small, double, dimpled, cleft Ears large, small, flat against head, sticking out Cheeks Shape: sunken, filled out Wrinkles: shape, deep or light Cheek bones high, low, wide, narrow Facial hair moustache, beard, sideburns Mouth Corners: turned up, turned down, level Upper lip: thin, medium, full Lower lip: thin, medium, full Full Body Jewelry watch, ring, bracelet, nose ring, earrings, tie clip Other clothing hat, coat , sweater, tie, dress, boots, etc. Shirt style, colour, sleeves, collar Glasses size, shape, colour Extras belt, chains, scarf Pants colour, style (bell bottoms, shorts), cuffs Socks colour, pattern, length Shoes colour, style (laces, buckles, slip-ons, sandals) General appearance neat, sloppy, clean, dirty, etc . Skin colour, pimples, pock marks, acne, clean shaven, tattoos Sex male or female Age estimate Height compared to your own height, a doorway Weight estimate Build fat, husky, slim, muscular Other unusual make-up, clothing too large or too small, odd colours, patches, etc. To be continue. Writing Notes & Reports Objectives This unit will help you learn how to • use your notebook correctly. • write a detailed report that is easy to read. • properly secure a crime scene and preserve evidence. • tell the difference between different types of evidence.• prepare yourself to testify in court. Words to Know The following words appear in this unit. Many of these words are used in different ways. This list only includes the meanings that are important for this unit. Try the exercise on the next page to see how well you know the words. You may read the meanings first to help you with the exercise. detailed - complete, includes all the important information guidelines - suggestions to help someone carry out actions incident - unusual event slang - very informal language that not everyone understands testimony - formal statement in courttypical common, similar to a group Writing Notes and Reports One of your most important duties as a security guard is to keep a detailed, written record of what happens during your shift. The notes you take and the reports you write will be read by many different people for many different reasons. The following list gives the key things to think about whenever you write something. In fact, all writing involves these four factors: Audience: who you are writing to – all of the possible readers Purpose: why you are writing – to record, inform, persuade, entertain, etc. Format: how you will write – the style. For example: notes, report, letter, list, proposal, poem, article, short story, etc. Voice: how you want it to “sound” – the tone. For example: formal/informal, personal/impersonal, serious, funny, sarcastic, etc. A simple example of writing is a grocery list, but even it involves these four factors: Audience: yourself Purpose: to remind yourself what to buy Format: list Voice: informal – may include slang, personal abbreviations, misspelling What factors are involved in note taking? Audience Sometimes you will be the only one who reads your notes. You may have noted a suspicious looking van in the parking lot at the beginning of your patrol, but when you finished your patrol it was gone. No one may ever read the details about the van, but you will have a written record in case something happens in the future. Even though you will often be the only one reading your notes, it is important to write things down as if your audience is much larger than just yourself. Many other people may read your notes. They could include co-workers, supervisors, clients, health and safety committee members, union reps, police, insurance company investigators, lawyers, the court, or the media. Purpose Your main reason for taking notes is to make a detailed record of things that happen on your shift. These notes could be used for many different purposes, such as: • to help you remember things and to write reports• to tell your co-workers about things that happened on your shift • to show the client and your supervisor that you are doing your duties in a professional way • to record any hazards or safety concerns • to give police information • to help investigators learn the truth about what you or other witnesses saw • to provide evidence in court Just as you may not know who will be reading your notes, you may not know what they will be used for. Your notes may be used very soon after you write them. For example, you may want to share information about a suspicious vehicle with the guard who is coming on duty after you. Very often your notes will be used a long time after you write them. It may take several months for the information you write in your notebook to be used as evidence in court. Format Your notebook is an important tool for keeping a detailed record of what happens on your shift. You should keep all of your notes in the notebook provided by your security company. A typical notebook • is small, so that you can carry it with you at all times. • has many blank lined pages, so you have lots of room to record your notes. • is bound and the pages are numbered, so that it is easy to know if someone has removed any pages. • includes guidelines to help you, such as how to describe someone . • includes other guidelines such as the 24-hour clock and phonetic alphabet. You will learn more about these in the first Check Up in this unit. • has a strong cover, so your notes are protected. With practice, you will develop your own style of taking notes. However, there are some important things that you need to do as soon as you start taking notes, so that they become a habit: • Write your name and other identification information at the front of the book . • Only use the special notebook with numbered pages that your employer gives you. • Write the date the book was started and finished, and the book number. • Use only one notebook at a time. • Start each day with the time using the 24-hour clock, the date, your location, your supervisor, your partner, weather conditions and any unusual circumstances. • Record the time before each entry and arrange your notes in the order that things happened (chronological order). • Use a pen, not a pencil. • Draw a single line through mistakes, and write your initials beside the line. • Fill each line of your notebook. If you leave a space between entries, draw a line through the space, and write your initials beside the line. • Write or print neatly, so that others will be able to read it. • Use only common abbreviations, for example If you make up your own abbreviations, make sure you explain them the first time you use them. • You must make your notes right away or as soon as possible after the incident. They should always be done within 24 hours. If you follow these guidelines, your notebook will look clean and well organized. It will add to your image as a professional, What kinds of things should I write in my notebook? Get into the habit of recording anything that will help you fill out a report later. This could include things such as: • suspicious looking people or vehicles • safety hazards • special requests for equipment • anything that looks out of place • a security break • complaints or upset people • damage to equipment or property • signs of criminal activity • evidence of a crime • description of the scene • weather conditions • strange phone calls• bomb threats Who was involved? • suspects, victims, witnesses, people who made a complaint, property owner • full names, addresses, phone numbers (include area code), and descriptions • always use the person’s real name and include known nicknames or aliases What happened? • details from start to finish • actions taken by the people involved • evidence • damages When did it happen? • time using the 24-hour clock and date • when you last observed the area before the incident • when the event began and ended • when you had contact with a witness• when the police, fire department, or ambulance arrived Where did it happen? • name of company, exact street address, area where incident occurred • if no address is available, describe the area. For example, in the children’s play area near the swings • where you and others were when the incident took place • where the evidence or a suspect was found Why did it happen? • describe the reason if it is obvious, such as an accident • name the purpose (motive) for a crime if it is obvious • do not guess the reason if you do not know How did it happen? • describe how the incident took place and what action you took in response to it • explain how the incident came to your attention, how the suspect and the witnesses acted, how the evidence was recovered, and how the suspect was arrested 24 Hour Clock Phonetic Alphabet The Phonetic Alphabet is used to make the spelling of words more clear. Some letters are easily confused especially if there is background noise, a poor connection or if the speaker has a strong accent. It is hard to hear the difference between B, D and P but very easy to hear the difference between Bravo, Delta and Papa. This alphabet is used by NATO. It is also used in international aviation and in security and law enforcement work. A Alfa (AL fah) N November (no VEM ber) B Bravo (BRAH VOH) O Oscar (OSS car) C Charlie (CHAR lee) P Papa (pah pah) D Delta (DELL tah) Q Quebec (keh BECK) E Echo (ECK oh) R Romeo (ROW me oh) F Foxtrot (FOKS trot) S Sierra (see AIR rah) G Golf (GOLF) T Tango (TANG go) H Hotel (hoh TELL) U Uniform (YOU ne form) I India (IN dee ah) V Victor (VIC tor) J Juliett (JEW lee ETT) W Whiskey (WISS kley) K Kilo (KEY loh) X X-ray (ECKS ray) L Lima (LEE mah) Y Yankee (YANG key) M Mike (MIKE) Z Zulu (ZOO loo) Bomb Threats Words to Know to detonate to cause to explode device something that has been made for a special purpose to disrupt to confuse or upset to evacuate to empty to evaluate to assess, make a judgement hoax, prank a trick or joke obstacles things in the way prearranged set in place before residue small amount that is leftthreat a chance or promise that something bad is going to happen Before a Threat Think about psychological factors – What are people who make bomb threats like? – Why do people make bomb threats? During a Threat After a Threat • Fill in a Bomb Threat Checklist • Evacuate • Search• Look for suspicious objects Do not take chances. Never ignore a threat. What kind of person makes a bomb threat? There are many kinds of people who make bomb threats. It is impossible to guess what type of person you will have to deal with, but it may help prepare you to think about these examples: Co-worker / family member – someone who has a problem, usually with one person, and wants to make that person feel responsible for the suffering of many others. Unhappy customer – someone who feels that they have not received the service they deserve or is not pleased about a product. For example, someone takes a stereo back to a shop, and they are told that there is a no-return policy. They are treated disrespectfully by the clerk and the supervisor. Angry employee – someone who feels that their company or organization has treated them unfairly and they want to get back at the management. For example, someone who has been fired, returns with a live grenade and threatens to blow up everyone in the office. Protester – someone whose political or religious beliefs are different from the organization they are threatening. This person may target a government office, a clinic, a newspaper. Prankster – someone who is playing a trick or acting on a dare. A student may call a bomb threat in to a school to see if they can get away with it, or to get some time off. Why do people make bomb threats? There are many reasons why someone may make a bomb threat. The main reason behind most threats is that making the call gives the person a sense of power. The caller is probably angry about something, but they lack the courage or the social skills to be public about what they want or need. If they can create a feeling of fear or cause problems with the running of an organization, they have control over others. They may even hang around watching an evacuation. They like knowing that they are responsible for dislocating so many people. Another possibility is that the person has information about a dangerous device and does not want others to get hurt or property to be damaged. What are the different types of threats? Threats may come by mail, note, or even be written on property, such as a washroom mirror. New technology and features such as call display may force people to come up with new ways to make their threats, but the most common type of threat is still made by telephone. What should I do if I receive a threat over the phone? • Follow your emergency procedures plan – don’t wait until you receive a threat to decide what to do. Every site should have an emergency procedure plan. It is your responsibility to know what this plan is and what your role is. If your site doesn’t have such a plan, you should discuss this with management. • Use a Bomb Threat Checklist – keep a Bomb Threat Checklist near the telephone at all times. You will find a sample of a Bomb Threat Checklist later in this unit. • Keep the caller on the line – if a person is making a phone call, the threat is not immediate. You have some time to react. You want to get as much information as possible from the caller. This will help you identify the bomb and the person making the threat. If you keep the person on the line for a while, it may also give time to trace the call. • Be calm – the person calling may be excited or upset. If you panic, the person may get more excited and give you unclear information or hang up. • Be polite – use a professional business manner. Avoid judgemental comments. The caller will know that you take the call seriously and you will not give them any reason to get more upset. • Listen carefully – the words a person uses can give you important information about the bomb. They will also give you clues about the caller. This can help the police later. For example, if the person gives a lot of details about the placement of the bomb, they may be familiar with the site, even an employee. Any background noise can help the police find out where the call is coming from. • Don’t interrupt – no one likes to be interrupted, especially when they are upset. The caller may have a planned statement. The exact wording of this statement is important. • Ask questions – ask the caller to repeat key information to keep them on the line for as long as possible. When the caller pauses, ask for more information. A person under stress may respond to even the most obvious questions, such as “Where are you calling from?” and “What is your name?” • Take notes – write down everything you can. If you are very familiar with a checklist it will help you save time recording important information. Practice before you have to use it! • Get help – if you are not working alone, try to get a second person involved. You should have a prearranged signal to let your partner or the on-site authority know that it is an emergency call. They could call the police to begin a trace while you are still on the line. • Notify the police – as soon as you hang up, call the police if someone else has notalready done so. Bomb Threat Checklist Glossary To use the Bomb Threat Checklist you will need to understand the meaning of the following words. abusive using angry language or threats accent a way of speaking that is typical of a certain area or group of people background noise the sounds you hear besides the caller’s voice to disguise to make your voice sound different high pitched the opposite of a low or deep voice incoherent not understandable, confused lisp a speech problem where someone uses a “th” sound for an “s” sound muffled made quieter and less easy to hear nasal sounds like they are speaking through their nose raspy sounds like they are losing their voice or have a sore throat slurred not clear, like someone who has been drinking or using drugs stutter a speech problem where someone repeats the same soundvulgar using swear words Bomb Threat Checklist Be calm. Be courteous. Listen carefully. Don’t interrupt. Date: ____________________ Time: __________ Length of Call: _________________ Exact words of threat: ____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Questions to ask: 1. Are you sure you are calling the right building? 6. What does it look like? 7. What sort of explosives were used? 2. When will the bomb go off? 8. How powerful is the bomb? 3. Where is it? 9. How was it placed? 4. What floor? 10. What is the reason for the bomb? 5. What side of the building? 11. What is your name? Caller information: Sex: _____ Estimated age: __________ Accent: (describe) _______________________ Voice Speech Manner _ loud _ fast _ angry _ soft _ slow _ calm _ high pitched _ clear _ emotional _ deep _ distorted / disguised _ crying _ raspy _ muffled _ laughing _ nasal _ slurred _ abusive / vulgar _ familiar (details) ____________ _ stutter _ intoxicated __________________________ _ lisp _ incoherent Background sounds Call display number? _______________________ _ street noises _ voices _ motor vehicles Receiver information _ planes / trains _ music / party Call taken by: _______________ Ph: ___________ _ recorded message _ static Reported to: _______________________________ _ animals _ equipment ________________ Action taken: ______________________________ What if I receive a written bomb threat? Save all materials, including any envelopes, folders or containers that the message came in. Touch them as little as possible and place them in a clean plastic bag. Fingerprints, powder from explosives, typing or handwriting, and postal marks may give police important information about the sender. What is my responsibility after I receive a threat? You must give as much information as possible to management and police so that they can decide whether or not to evacuate the site. It is not your responsibility to make this decision. What if the authorities decide to evacuate the site immediately? It is your responsibility to • control entry into the building. • search public areas including entrances, stairways, elevators, washrooms, hallways, loading docks, parkades and assembly areas outside the building. • keep exits and evacuation routes clear. • keep people moving quickly and calmly. • make sure no one is left behind. • assist in a re-entry search before people are allowed back inside. • communicate closely with the people in charge. What if the authorities decide to do a search before evacuation? The police and the fire department are not likely to be familiar with the site. The person named in the emergency plan should head the search. They will tell employees about the threat and have them search their own work areas. You may assist with this job, but your main responsibility is to make sure all public areas are clear. Do the following: • Search the outside of the building and evacuation areas. • Try to have only searched areas between you and the exit. Start on the main floor and work your way up to the higher floors or down to the lower floors. Try not to have an unsearched area between you and the exit. • Search public areas of the building first as they are the easiest areas for a bomber to have access to. • If you must search a room, listen for any unusual sounds such as clicking,buzzing, ticking or beeping. Your hearing is stronger if you close your eyes. • Look for objects that are out of place, that don’t belong where they are. This may include such things as a stack of boxes that is much higher than usual. • Scan with your eyes: first from floor to waist level, then waist to head level, and finally from head level to ceiling. • Pay attention to any place where a device may be hidden, such as rugs, furniture, drapes, pictures, false ceilings and lighting fixtures, heating and air conditioning vents. • Do not disturb anything that could cause an explosive device to blow up. • Use a note, tape or chalk to show that the area has been searched. • Communicate closely with those in charge. What if I see a suspicious object? Do not touch it – Switches, lids, flaps, zippers, buttons and other fastenings may explode when opened or closed. Your job is to report anything that looks out of place or suspicious. T he bomb squad’s job is to investigate more closely. Do not change the environment – Too much heat, or light, or other changes may cause the device to explode. If, however, you open or close any doors or windows, or turn any lights on or off, record this information. Do not use your radio or telephone – A bomb may be set up so that an electronic device can detonate it. Move at least 150 feet away from a suspected bomb before using any communication device such as a cell phone. Clear and secure the area. Make sure that no one can get into the area – Use tape or whatever is available to make it clear that the area is off limits. Report – If you find a suspicious object, report it right away to the person named in your post orders. In your report include • a complete description of the object. • the exact location, including if it is close to gas and water lines, or electrical panels. • any obstacles in the way. • safe access routes. • the exact time that you found the object. Remain on alert – It may not be the only device that was set to explode. Be ready to act when you receive further instructions from the authorities involved. Do not make statements to the media – Management or the police have people who are trained to do this. It is not your responsibility. What does a bomb look like? Bombs come in many shapes and sizes. They can range from high tech, professional devices to simple, homemade devices. In fact, people can learn how to make a bomb on the Internet and the ingredients can be found in homes and drugstores. Bombs can look like an envelope, pen, telephone, briefcase, shoebox, pipe, or even a gift. No two bombs are alike, but they are all dangerous. Be suspicious of anything unusual. Letter and Package Bombs Some bombs arrive through the mail. WARNING: Examine all mail gently. Be aware of these warning clues: 1. Balance and feel – Letters that feel stiff or unbalanced may include more than paper. It may be thick or heavy. A parcel may make a sloshing or clunking sound. 2. Writing – It may look disguised. It may be badly written or typed. 3. Place of origin – Note where the package came from and the name of the sender. Are they familiar? Is the package expected? Has the return address or the sender’s name been omitted? It may be from an unusual place such as a foreign country. 4. Special instructions – These may include such things as: Personal, Private, Confidential, Only to be opened by , Fragile, Handle with Care, Urgent, Rush, Special Delivery. 5. Name of receiver – The letter is addressed to a title, such as President, with the name omitted. The receiver’s name is misspelled. This person doesn’t usually receive mail or parcels. 6. Smell – There is an odour coming from the package. Explosives may smell like almonds. 7. Protruding objects – There are wires, tinfoil, strings or anything sticking out of the package. There may be small holes made by the removal of wires. 8. Packaging – It looks like the wrapping has been used before. The paper is wrinkled and has glue, tape or label marks, or writing that has been crossed out. It may be wrapped with lots of tape or string. The shape is irregular. There are soft spots or bulges. There are oily marks on the wrapping. There is excessive postage.9. Sound – Any sound or noise should make you suspicious. Security skill development india Access Control & Alarm Systems Fire Objectives This unit will help you learn how to • control access in different areas of a site. • use different ways to control access. • describe the parts of an alarm system and what they do. • use different types of alarm systems. • respond to an alarm.• give examples of common causes of false alarms. Words to Know activated= caused to operate, start working, set off to arm = to set, to turn on component = part to disarm = to turn off identification= proof of who a person is infrared = heat rays that create a beam that can’t be seen by the human eye to install = to put in mechanical = having moving parts such as in a machine perimeter = the outside edge of an area proximity= nearness, how close something is to reset = to set again, to arm again to secure = to stop people from entering a site surveillance camera = camera that is used to keep watch over an area for intruders or shoplifters vibration= rapid shaking movement waybill= a paper with the details of a shipment, including sender, receiver, and details of the goods being shipped Access Control Level of Access Control • minimum • medium • maximum Access Control Areas Property perimeter Building perimeter and entrance Inside of building Entry • through security guard • through mechanical / electronic device Alarm Systems Purpose Responding to an Alarm Components • sensor • transmitter • control panelFalse Alarms Access Control Access control is an important part of a security guard’s work. Security personnel are hired to protect people, property and information. The purpose of access control is to make sure the movement of people, materials and information at a site is authorized. You will be responsible for some type of access control at each site where you work, but the duties you will have to perform will vary greatly. What are the different levels of access control? The amount of access control needed at each site will vary from minimum to maximum, depending on what needs to beprotected. Minimum access control This type of control is used at sites that allow general admission, such as malls. It assumes everyone is entering for lawful purposes. People are only denied entry by the security guard if rules are not followed or the law is broken. Medium access control This type of control is often used at office or residential buildings. The security guard or someone in the building may use an intercom to allow access to the property. The intercom system may discourage someone from coming in, but if they really want to get in they can enter behind someone who has authority to enter the building. Maximum access control This type of control is found at sites with high security, such as some government offices, labs, military bases, software manufacturers, etc. Sites like these use a combination of security personnel and alarm systems to have total access control in all parts of the property. What are some common ways to control access? Companies often use more than one type of access control at a site. Generally, as you move from the perimeter of a property, to the outside of the building, to the centre of a protected site, the access control becomes harder to get through. Access Control Areas A combination of controls may even be used in one part of a site. For example, access to the perimeter of a property may be controlled by a fence, infrared beam sensors, or a security guard in a booth. It is not possible to cover all of the combinations, but we can look at some of the more common types of access control by thinking about the different areas shown in the model above. Property perimeter Physical barriers such as fences, walls, gates, and booths are used. A security guard can control access in person from a booth at the entrance, or by remote control using a video camera. Building perimeter and entrance An alarm system will often be attached to doors and windows on the outside of the building. We will look more closely at Alarm Systems in the next section. Access control usually happens in one of two ways in this area. These ways are: entry through the security guard and entry through a mechanical or electronic device. 1. Entry through security guard You may be asked to stand or sit at the main entrance of a site. Your main tasks are to check identification and to decide if people are authorized to enter. • Personnel recognition - This is often used at small sites. You let in only people who you recognize. Staff tells you if they are expecting any visitors. You use a special form to write down information about visitors. This method only works if you know each person who enters and if you see each person enter. If your attention is somewhere else or you don’t have time to identify everyone, unauthorized people may enter. • ID systems - Many government offices use this method. All employees show you an ID card before entering. You check each ID card carefully. Things to look for are: • a coloured photo and physical description of the holder • the full name and signature of the holder • the company’s name and an issuing authority’s signature • an expiry date • a serial number (for the card itself or an employee number) • Special passes - In high security areas you may allow only people with special passes or badges to enter. You must be very familiar with this type of access control so you know what to look for. If visitors and short-term workers want a pass to enter the area, they may have to give you a piece of ID such as their driver’s licence. Their names must be entered in a logbook. You return their ID when they give back the pass as they are leaving. In sites with maximum access control visitors may have their picture taken and be given a temporary ID card that they must wear until they leave the property. Access control doesn’t work unless you follow the rules carefully for everyone. Some people, especially employees who have worked at a site for many years, may become angry or frustrated if they have to show their ID everyday. If you are new to a site you will not be able to recognize all employees. Check ID cards even if you know the person. The card may no longer be good. If someone challenges you remain calm, explain the reason for security, record information in a logbook or report sheet, and follow your post orders. 2. Entry through mechanical / electronic device On medium access sites, a security guard does not always control access. Employees can let themselves into the area. There are many ways that this happens. • Keys - Some employees are given a building master key that allows them to enter the building and most areas inside. New technology is replacing the standard metal key at many sites. • Touch keypads - A keypad is on the wall at the entrance. Users are given passwords, codes, or personal identification numbers (PIN) that they must punch in order to enter. • ID card tags - Some cards have a magnetic strip like you see on the back of a debit card. Other cards have a bar code like you see on a store product. The user swipes the card or puts it in a slot in the reader. The reader is mounted on the wall or door. It checks the code on the card. If the card is authorized, the door is unlocked for a short period of time. • Proximity cards - These cards work in a similar way to cards with stripes or bar codes, but they do not have to touch the reader. Someone can unlock the door by passing their card near the reader. These cards may show only an identification number or one side may include photo ID. A key fob is a device that acts the same way as a proximity card. It is a small plastic device that can be attached to a key ring. • Biometric identification - Biographical information about individual employees is stored in a data bank. This could include fingerprints, palm prints, retina patterns (blood vessel patterns in the eye) or face recognition information. If an employee wants to enter an area they must pass their hand, eye, or face by a reader. If the reader matches this information with the stored data bank, the door is unlocked. Because biometric data is unique to each person, this system can be used to prevent theft or fraud. Unlike a password or PIN, a biometric trait cannot be forgotten or lost. Inside of building An intruder is someone who enters an area without authorization. Alarms that are used to detect intruders are called intrusion alarm systems. Access to valuable property inside buildings is often controlled by an intrusion alarm system. This means that the security guard does not always have to be in the area of the object that needs protecting. They can move about more freely and perform other duties. More than one area can be monitored at once, and the alarm will alert the security guard to intruders. The following section will look more closely at these types of systems. Alarm Systems An alarm is anything that warns people when something is wrong. When an alarm is activated, someone can take immediate action to correct the problem. Some alarms are very simple. A barking dog can be a warning that an intruder has entered the area. Most alarms used today are much more complex. Alarm systems are usually made up of many mechanical or electrical parts. Different sites will have different alarm systems and you will have to learn about the specific one used at the site where you work. You should know how to arm, disarm, and reset an alarm system. You should also know how to recognize obvious problems and how to test the system to see if it is operating well. The following information will give you a general overview of alarm systems, so it will be easier to understand the one that is used at your site. What is the main purpose of an alarm system? Alarm systems can be used to warn people of many problems such as: • intrusion (illegal entry) • fire • smoke • toxic chemical release • changes in temperature • changes in humidity • equipment breakdown • water leaks or other types of leaks How do alarm systems operate? The types of alarm systems you will work with will vary. Even though some systems are complex, they are all made up of three main parts. You can think of an alarm system as a body: 1. The sensor is like the senses, such as sight, hearing, touch. 2. The transmitter is like the nerves which carry messages from the senses to the brain. 3. The control panel is like the brain. 1. Sensor This hardware receives or detects information from a protected area. Smoke and heat detectors sense smoke or high temperatures. Gauges on boilers and heaters measure fluid levels and pressure. The following table gives some examples of sensors that are used with intrusion alarms. Here are some examples of sensors. 2. Transmitter This is any device that sends alarm messages from the sensor to the control panel. This could be hard wiring, telephone wires, fibre optic lines, and radio signals. 3. Control panel This is the central part that receives messages and translates the information into a response. Most control panels contain the same type of hardware. How should I respond to an alarm? Parts of the system at your site may be connected directly to the police, the fire department, or a control centre. You may need to check out other parts, such as a perimeter alarm. You may need to evacuate the site immediately, or to secure the site, such as in a bank hold up, so that police can interview witnesses. When your security company signs a contract with a client, they agree about what duties you are expected to perform. Your post orders as well as any emergency procedures plan or fire safety plan will tell you what you must do when an alarm is activated at your site. Your orders will depend on many things, such as the type of systems at your site, or if you are working alone. Remember, the key to any emergency response is to be prepared. Study all documents relating to the alarm systems at the site where you are working. Also make sure that you are well trained so that you know what you must do and can respond quickly. Because you are responsible for protecting the people and property on your site, you may be the person in charge. Others will look to you for help in an emergency. You can help stop them from panicking by remaining calm. Respond to every alarm like it is real. If you treat an alarm like it is false, you may be putting yourself and others in danger. An intruder who hears an alarm will be expecting the police or someone else in authority to respond. The intruder will be desperate to escape and you may be taken by surprise. Here are some tips to help you remain safe when you respond to an intrusion alarm. 1. Call for back-up. 2. Observe the area from a safe distance until back-up arrives. 3. Check the perimeter of the property, looking for signs of forced entry. 4. If there is a sign of illegal entry, stay back and call the police. 5. If there is no sign of illegal entry, enter the building with your back-up, and check the system for the alarm source. 6. Reset the alarm when it is safe to do so. 7. Fill out a complete report. If the alarm system is not working properly, make sure you report it, so that it can be fixed immediately. What causes false alarms and what can I do? Many alarms are false, but it is important that you treat every alarm as real. Follow the procedures in your post orders each time an alarm is activated. There are two main reasons for false alarms – mechanical malfunction and human activation. Human activation happens when someone sets off an alarm by accident. Mechanical malfunction happens when any part of the alarm system is not working properly. You will not be expected to repair alarms, but you should know how to tell if a system is malfunctioning, such as when a trouble light appears on the control panel. Report any mechanical problems immediately, so that they can be fixed. Some alarms are activated by changes in conditions that don’t have anything to do with an emergency. For example, a motion sensor may be set off when the air from a heater system causes a drape to move. It is important for you to know about any weaknesses in the systems used at your site. Refer to the security concerns part of the Sensor chart for more information about specific causes of false alarms. Humans can set off alarms accidentally. Many alarms are set off by employees who enter a restricted area without knowing an alarm is activated. Employees may be authorized to enter an area with an active alarm, but they may make errors in turning it off. You may need to turn off the alarm and reset it. Always report these incidents so that employees will receive the training they need. Humans can also set off alarms on purpose. A false alarm can be the result of a prank. Someone may pull an alarm out of anger or rebellion. Your report should contain as many details as possible to help authorities identify the person responsible for such costly behaviour. Fire Objectives This unit will help you learn how to • detect fire hazards. • operate a fire extinguisher. • tell what a security guard should do during a fire emergency. • understand a fire safety plan.• explain the operation of basic fire suppression systems. Words to Know The following words appear in this unit. Many of these words are used in different ways. This list only includes the meanings that are important for this unit. Try the exercise on the next page to see how well you know the words. You can read the meanings first to help you with the exercise. combustible= able to catch fire and burn easily combustion =the process of burning to detect =to notice, to become aware of to extinguish= to put out extinguisher = an object that is used for putting out fires flammable = burns quickly and easily, or likely to burst into flames and to burn very quickly hazard = danger hazardous = dangerous to ignite = to start on fire vapours = wet gases, such as steam, that are coming off of a liquid Fire Dangers • smoke • gas • flames Fires Need • fuel • heat • air Fires Caused by • poor housekeeping • poor maintenance • improper use • arson • spontaneous combustion Operating a Fire Extinguisher Fire Detection and Suppression Systems Emergency Procedures Plan Being Prepared for a Fire When to Try to Put Out a Fire Types of Fires – A, B, C, D Fire! A fire is one of the most serious situations a security guard has to deal with. Your duty is to protect people and property, and a fire can destroy both in minutes. The best defence against fire is prevention. You must be aware of potential hazards and how to deal with them. You will often be the first person on the scene in the early stages of a fire. If a fire happens during your shift, you must know what to do. You need to be able to act quickly and with confidence. You must know what fire related equipment is at your site and make sure you get training so you know how to operate it. Your safety, as well as the safety of others, depends on this. Why are fires so dangerous? If you have never been in a fire situation, it is hard to imagine what it is like. The fires you see in movies are nothing like the real thing. There is a lot more smoke involved in real fires. More people die from breathing smoke than from getting burned. Smoke moves far ahead of flames and it can fill a building in minutes. Smoke is black, so it takes away your valuable sense of sight. It causes your eyes to tear and it burns your lungs. Smoke disables before it kills. It does not contain the oxygen that you need to breathe. This means that your brain does not work properly when you are inhaling smoke. Because of this your muscle control, coordination, judgement and reasoning ability are all affected. It is very easy to become disoriented and lose consciousness in smoke. When something burns, it releases transparent gases. These gases are lighter than air, so they move very rapidly throughout a building. They are also toxic, so they can kill quickly. When a fire burns in a room, it builds up heat and it can instantly flash over into another room or space. This ball of fire will shoot into any areas that are available. For example, in a high rise, fire can travel sideways from room to room, up elevators, vent shafts, and stairwells if the doors have not been closed. Fires are fast and deadly. When you are in a fire situation, you won’t have time to think about how to handle it. This is why you must study your site’s fire safety and emergency procedure plans before a fire happens. Know the plan and your role in it very well. What are fire safety and emergency procedures plans? Every site should have some type of plan in case of an emergency. Some plans will be simple. They will show the location of emergency evacuation routes and firefightingequipment and give the names and contact numbers of the people in charge. Other plans may be very complex. They may include different types of emergencies, actions and contact people depending on the situation. No matter how detailed the plan, the purpose is the same: to prepare people before an emergency happens. You should have a copy of a fire safety plan and an emergency procedures plan in yourpost orders or at your post. It is very important that you read these orders carefully. They should include important information about fire and safety hazards on the site you are protecting. Your post orders will tell you what your role and duties are in an emergency. They will also give you instructions as to how your actions fit into the overall plan. Be sure to read your fire safety plan and emergency procedures plan often. This will keep the information fresh in your memory and you will see if any changes have beenmade. If you don’t understand some of this information, ask questions. Keep asking questions until you fully understand what your role is and you are comfortable with that role. Don’t wait until an emergency happens to find the answers. What if my site doesn’t have an emergency procedures plan and a fire safety plan? First of all, be sure they don’t exist. Maybe someone created them and didn’t include them in your post orders. A plan that lies sitting in a filing cabinet is useless in case of an emergency. Ask to see it. If a plan exists, make sure you have a copy of it, and that it is clear. When possible, speak with people named in the plan. They may have had important experiences to share with you. It will also remind them of their responsibilities. If these plans do not exist, start asking questions and don’t stop until you get the answers. Make sure your security supervisor, the on-site administrator, and your safety rep areaware of your concerns. You may even become involved in updating an existing plan or creating a new one. This makes sense because you will often be the first person at the scene of the fire. Your actions could make the difference between a minor upset and serious loss. Contact the Fire Department for detailed instructions on preparing a fire safety plan. Preventing and Being Prepared for Fires What things can I do to be well prepared in case of a fire? • Know your fire safety plan and emergency procedures plan very well. • Get a list of people on the site with special needs and how those needs should be handled in the case of an emergency. You will need to know where these people are in the building and what type of help they will need to get out safely. Special needs include not only people in wheelchairs but also people dealing with blindness, diabetes, pregnancy, heart problems, and other conditions. • Know the alarm system for your site and how to tell if it is working properly – Look at the panel. Is the green light on? Know what to do and who to contact if something is not working properly. • Know the location of all fire extinguishers and fire alarm pull boxes. • Know how to operate all fire extinguishers at your site. • Make sure that all fire extinguishers are ready to use. – Is the needle of the extinguisher in the green area? When was the extinguisher last tested or inspected? • Keep all aisles, fire escapes, and exits clear. This includes the floor space on both sides of exit doors. • Keep all fire fighting equipment, fire alarm boxes and fire extinguishers clear. • Make sure that there is a lot of space between sprinkler heads and stored material. • Make sure that all fire lanes are kept clear. There should be no vehicles, snow, etc. blocking access for fire fighting vehicles and equipment. • Make sure you know who is responsible for concerns about fire extinguishers, clearing of fire routes, blocked sprinkler heads, and blocked exit routes. Report problems quickly, before an emergency happens. • Make sure you know who is responsible for housekeeping and maintenance. – Report problems quickly, before an emergency happens. • Know the routines on your site. For example, when is the usual meal break? What areas are usually accessed during your shift? Does the number of people on site vary at different times of the day or the year? What things are necessary to start a fire? Fires can start only if all three of the following are present: 1. Fuel – This is anything that will burn. It can be in solid, liquid, or gas form. It is often called combustible material. This type of material will start on fire if it is heated. 2. Air – Fires need oxygen to “breathe” just like we do. The air that we breathe is made up of about 21% oxygen, so there is usually no problem finding enough oxygen to start a fire and to keep it going. 3. Heat – Heat is needed to bring fuel to a high enough temperature to begincombustion or burning. All workplaces will contain common fuel and heat sources. It’s important that you are aware of those on your site. Common fuel sources: • oily rags, greasy uniforms • flammable liquids such as gas, acetone, naphtha, ether • vapours escaping from liquids such as those above • aerosol sprays such as plastic coatings, oils, insect repellent • any building materials that burn easily such as flammable carpets, wall paper, drapes. In some buildings these are made out of less burnable (flame retardant) materials. • trash • paper • cardboard boxes • plastic • rubber (especially foam) • wood Common heat sources: • electrical equipment • wiring • lit cigarettes, lighters, matches • heating equipment such as space heaters • cooking equipment • soldering guns • welding equipment or blow torches • motors• appliances • sunshine. This can make enough heat to ignite highly combustible materials such as oily rags. How are fires put out? We have learned that a fire must have fuel, air and heat to burn. If one of these is taken away, the fire will stop. Here are the methods: 1. Remove the fuel – This could include actions such as turning off gas, removing anything that might burn from the area of the fire or pumping flammable liquids away from a burning tank. Although fires can be put out this way, your fire plan will not name this as part of your responsibilities. 2. Cut off the oxygen – This is when you smother the fire and cut off its air supply. An example is putting a lid on a frying pan of burning grease. 3. Lower the temperature – When you take away the heat, the fuel is cooled below its burning temperature and the fire stops. This is usually done by throwing water on the fire, but this isn’t always a safe thing to do. You will learn more about this later in the unit. What are some examples of fire hazards? We have seen that fuel, heat, and air are needed to start a fire and to keep it burning. In many workplaces fuel and heat sources are not kept in separate areas. Also, they may not be in good working condition or may be used in the wrong way. As a security guard, you are not responsible for storing and looking after materials and equipment. However, you are responsible for reporting fire and safety hazards. It is very important for you to be aware of “hot spots” at your site and to use all of your senses to detect problems. A good time to look for these problems is when you are on patrol. Here are some things to look for: Poor housekeeping Sometimes things are not properly put away, lying around or put in the wrong place. Watch for the following: • flammable materials, such as gasoline, that are not stored in approved air tight containers • combustibles, such as cardboard boxes and paper stored too closely to heat sources, such as furnaces, motors, stoves, space heaters or boilers • oily rags or greasy uniforms that are left near motors • litter and dust around machinery • blocked garbage or laundry chutes • vapours escaping from flammable materials such as alcohol, gas, acetone,naphtha, ether, paint Poor maintenance Sometimes things are not kept in good repair or are not properly made. Play close attention to the following: • chimneys and flues that are blocked or poorly constructed • electrical wiring that has worn • wires installed for temporary use which are below standard • fuse or circuit breakers that are not properly maintained • oil stoves, heaters, furnaces or boilers with defective burners and / or improper fuel adjustments • damaged electrical equipment • heating ducts and / or pipes that are in contact with combustible material Improper use Sometimes things are used carelessly or not according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Look for the following: • smoking materials not properly thrown away • overloaded electrical outlets or power bars • electrical, heating or cooking equipment left on after working hours. Some examples are coffee makers, hot plates, irons, fans, soldering guns, holiday lights. Before turning off any equipment, make sure that you are allowed to do so. • holiday decorations or displays in an unsafe location • sparks from equipment such as welding torches falling on burnable material • overheated equipment, wiring, electrical outlets, fuse boxes, motors – this could also be a result of poor maintenance. • light bulbs that are too powerful • breakers taped to on position • circuit breakers that are blocked or tied so that they don’t work • overuse of extension cords If you unplug something or move something, always leave a note and record it in your notebook and reports. Arson Arson happens when someone starts a fire on purpose. It is important for security guards to be on the lookout for this. Prevention is the key to dealing with arson. Think about what you would look for if you wanted to burn the building down, and then try to make sure these conditions do not exist. Do thorough patrols to make sure that there are no obvious ways for someone to break into your site and start a fire. Make sure that there is nothing lying around either inside or outside your site that can be easily ignited. Make sure all trash cans get emptied every night. When you are on patrol, check to make sure that there are no tree limbs under the building eaves. If suspicious people are hanging around on the site you are guarding, approach them with caution, and try to find out their purpose for being there. If a fire has started and you suspect arson, take special care that nothing is touched, so that all evidence is preserved. Spontaneous combustion Another cause of fires is spontaneous combustion. Chemical changes can take place in some materials. Over time, enough heat can build up inside to make them burst into flames. Heat from an outside source is not needed. Oily rags, flammable liquids, floor oils, hay, grain, charcoal, soft coal, and foam rubber can all start on fire if not properly stored. Storage will not likely be your responsibility, but you have a right to know about the hazardous substances on your site. Know the WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) symbols and read the WHMIS labels on materials at your site. What should I do if I notice a fire hazard? Correct problems if you can, as long as there is no danger to your health or safety. For example, unplug appliances that have been left on or move combustible materials away from heat sources. If you find a problem that you can’t fix quickly and safely, report it to someone who will take immediate action. Always report any hazards so that problems can be corrected and will not happen again. Detecting and Fighting Fires What should I do if I detect a fire? Respond to any fire quickly and calmly. You may only have seconds to assess a situation and take proper action. If a fire is burning freely: 1. Sound the fire alarm. 2. Evacuate the area. 3. Call the fire department. Use the telephone or your radio. Give them as many details as possible, including where to meet you. 4. Call your supervisor or client contact. 5. Try to contain the fire by closing windows and doors and shutting down air conditioners, fans and blowers. Turn off gas and electrical services and equipment in the immediate area. Only do these things if you have been trained to use the equipment and are sure that your health and safety are not in danger. What should I do when the fire fighters arrive? 1. Meet them at the entrance and make sure that all access doors for fire fighters are unlocked. Fire fighters will break down locked doors to gain access. 2. Give them information. You may tell them about the following: • the fire site • any keys or pass cards they will be given to get to the fire. Most buildings will have special keys or cards for the fire department • location of hazardous materials • any other hazards that might affect their movement • evacuation routes and meeting places • places where people might be trapped • location of people with special needs who will need help getting to safety • entrance / exit logs or fire warden check in sheets to help with a head count and to direct a search for people still inside 3. Control access to the property. Do not allow anyone to re-enter the building until you are told to do so by the authorities. 4. Direct traffic if necessary or if the emergency personnel tell you to. 5. Get the fire chief’s name and all unit numbers. You will need these later for your reports. What should I know about evacuation? Always remember these evacuation tips for your own safety and when you have to direct other people away from danger: • Know at least two escape routes from each area. • Use the stairs and not the elevator because you could become trapped if the elevator stops working. • If you have to escape through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees. Remember that most fire deaths are caused by smoke, not flames. • Test the door and spaces around the door with the back of your hand. If the door is warm, try another escape route. If it is cool, open it slowly. Close the door quickly if smoke pours through. • If there are people with special needs on your site, know where they are and know the plan to get help to them. The fire fighters will evacuate these people. They are trained and equipped for the rescue. You should only get involved if the situation is life threatening and help will be delayed for some reason. • Tell everyone to gather at the planned meeting area. Stress the importance of this because if people are missing it may cause others to panic. The fire fighters may also then put themselves in danger by beginning an unnecessary search. Always remember to complete a detailed report after any emergency. When should I try to put a fire out? You should use extreme caution when dealing with any fire situation. Try to put out a fire only if: • the area has been evacuated • and the fire department has been called • and the fire is confined to a small area • and there are no hazardous materials involved • and there is a clear escape route behind you • and there is a working fire extinguisher that is suitable for the type of fire• and you have been trained to use the fire extinguisher. Different types of extinguishers have different contents. Some contain • water. These should only be used on Class A fires. • carbon dioxide. These are most suitable on Class B and C fires. • dry chemical. These are usually rated for multipurpose use, which is for Class A, B or C fires. Class D fires involve combustible metals such as sodium, titanium and magnesium. These fires are not common and chances are that you will not have to worry about such a fire. If these metals are used on your site, your post orders should say so. Be sure to find out what fire dangers are on your site. The multipurpose extinguisher can be used for fighting the most common types of fires (Class A, B and C). Do not use water on Types B, C or D fires. • If it is used on Type B fires it can spread the flames. • Water conducts electricity so if it is used on Type C fires it can cause major shock. • If it is used on Type D fires it will react violently causing an explosion. How do I operate a multipurpose fire extinguisher? Remember this PASS word. P ull the pin. In some models you may have to remove a locking pin. A im low. Direct the hose or cone to the base of the fire. S queeze the handle. This will release the contents of the extinguisher. S weep from side to side. Don’t lessen the pressure on the handle. Try to keep it constant. It is important that you get fire extinguisher training before you have to use one. You don’t want to waste valuable time trying to read directions or figure out how to remove a pin in an emergency situation. Other important information, like how far to stand away from a fire, when to move toward it, and how long the extinguisher contents last can only be understood by actually operating one. Make sure your employer and your Safety and Health Rep know that you need this training. What are basic fire detection and suppression systems? Even if you make careful patrols and have camera systems, you won’t be able to detect all fires. Also, using a fire extinguisher to fight a fire can be very dangerous. Your site may have some type of fire detection and suppression system to help you. Make sure you know what systems your site has and how they operate. Here are two of the common ones: Fire alarm system This system is activated when a fire is detected. Its purpose is to alert people so that they can leave the building. Some systems also notify the fire department. It is usually made up of the following parts: 1. Fire control panel – The main panel that all parts are connected to. Know where it is located. 2. Sensors – These could include smoke or heat detectors. They automatically set off alarms or sprinkler systems. 3. Pull station – This is an alarm switch that a person must pull to set off an alarm. It is a small red box that says, “Pull in case of a fire.” Bells or horns – They alertpeople to the need to evacuate. 4. Annunciator panel – This panel has a lot of important information. It is often located at the main entrance area of a building. It includes: • where a fire alarm was first activated. For example, it might show “fifth floor pull station.” This will help anyone responding to the fire to know where to focus their attention. • trouble signals. These appear if there is a power failure or if the systems are not operating properly. These must be reported immediately to a person authorized to service the system. • alarm service and reset buttons • sprinkler and other suppression systems. It will show if these systems are in use. If they are in use they will automatically set off the alarm. Some systems may be equipped with fire phones or a public address system connected to the main panel. Make sure that you are very familiar with the fire alarm system in your building. Fire suppression systems There are two main types of fire suppression systems – automatic sprinkler systems and special extinguishing systems. Automatic sprinkler systems : Usually, the only part of this system that can be seen is the sprinkler head on the ceiling. Sprinkler heads are connected to a water supply, which is under pressure. The sprinkler system is activated when heat from a fire raises the temperature of a sprinkler head (usually to around 165 degrees F). The system will automatically spray water on a fire to put it out, or at least keep it from spreading to another area before the fire fighters arrive. In most systems, the water passes through only the sprinkler heads that are activated by the heat, in the area of the fire. Sprinklers in other parts of the building will not come on. Special extinguishing systems : These are used in locations where automatic sprinklers may not be the best solution to fire problems. In some areas water should not be used to put out fires. These locations include areas that contain flammable and combustible liquids, food preparation equipment, and highly sensitive computer or electronic equipment. Special extinguishing systems have a limited amount of suppressant (the chemical that is used to put out the fire). Working Safely Objectives This unit will help you learn how to • state the purpose of the Workplace Safety and Health Act. • state your rights under the Act and what to do if you feel that your rights are not being respected. • describe a Working Alone Plan. • state your responsibilities under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. • follow a Workers Working Alone Plan.• assess and minimize risks. Words to Know The following words appear in this unit. Many of these words are used in different ways. This list only includes the meanings that are important for this unit. Try the exercise on the next page to see how well you know the words. You can read the meanings first to help you with the exercise. to assess= to evaluate, judge complaint = a formal statement about a problem discipline = action taken against someone who, it is believed, has done something wrong discriminate = to treat differently, usually in a negative way to enforce = to make sure that a rule or regulation is followed involvement =participation issues = things people are worried about to minimize= to make less, to take to the lowest level regulation = rule representative (rep) =someone who speaks for others, brings their concerns / feedback to others responsibilities = duties shop steward = a union member who helps others with problems Short forms used in this unit: MSDS = Material Safety Data Sheet WHMIS = Workplace Hazardous Material Information System. WHMIS uses special symbols to identify containers of hazardous material. Workplace Safety and Health Act Employee Rights: • to know • to participate • to refuse unsafe work Employee Responsibilities Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Working Alone Plans Assessing and Minimizing Risks Employee Rights What are some of my rights under the Act? Your three basics rights are 1. the right to know, 2. the right to participate, and 3. the right to refuse unsafe work. 1. The right to know Employers are required by law to inform workers about anything that may affect their safety and health. This includes training workers about how to identify risks and how to work safely around any hazards. All workers are responsible for working safely. This protects the workers themselves, and anyone who is affected by what they do or don’t do. As a security guard, you are expected to actively protect others and keep yourself safe. Part of your duty is to look for problems and report them to the right people who can solve them. Problems often involve risks. The law says that you have a right to know about any risks that you may have to face on the job. The basic training offered to security guards will help you begin to understand some of the risks and hazards in this profession. You will need extra training at each new site where you work. This will cover the duties that go with that site. You may also need training in special areas such as non-violent crisis intervention and first aid. Some people whom you can ask about training are: your employer, coworkers, shop steward, union rep, Workplace Safety and Health Committee Member or Representative WHMIS As a security guard you should not have to work directly with hazardous materials. However, you have the right to know about the ones that are used at your site, as you may be exposed to them while you are on patrol or dealing with issues on the site. Your duties may include receiving deliveries or guarding an area where hazardous materials are stored. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) was set up to protect workers who work with or near hazardous materials. WHMIS requires employers to • label containers of hazardous material. • provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with information about the hazardous material. • provide workers with training about how to work safely with the hazardous material. WHMIS symbols Knowing the WHMIS symbols can help you stay out of danger and keep others safe in case of an emergency, such as a chemical spill or fire. If you know the symbols, you can identify containers of hazardous material, and report any that are not stored properly, such as near combustible materials or heat sources. This may help to prevent an emergency. WHMIS uses eight standard symbols to tell you what type of hazard the material may present. You might already know some of the symbols because they are the same as the ones used on some household products like cleaning fluids and paint thinners. Compressed Gas (for example: oxygen, acetylene, propane, some aerosol spray cans) – these products must be stored and handled very carefully. The container could explode if it is damaged or a hole is put in it. It could also explode if it becomes too hot. Flammable and Combustible Material – these materials burn easily. Oxidizing Material – these materials give off oxygen that could help some other material to burn (for example, bleach can cause flammable materials to burn more quickly). Corrosive Material – these materials can cause severe burns to the skin, eyes or lungs if they are inhaled. Dangerously Reactive Material – these materials can burn or explode if they are exposed to too much heat, dropped, hit or mixed with other chemical products. Poisonous and Infectious Material – Material Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Biohazardous Infectious Material (live bacteria or virus) Material Causing Toxic Effects (after many exposures or long periods of time) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) A MSDS must be provided by the manufacturer or supplier for every hazardous material. These sheets must be available to workers in their workplace. They contain much more than the information on a WHMIS label, such as: • ingredients • physical / chemical characteristics • fire and explosion hazards • reactivity • health hazards • precautions for safe handling and use • control measures • transportation• disposal 2. The right to participate All workers have the right to actively take part in safety and health concerns in their workplace. You can do this in many different ways: •? by becoming a Workplace Safety and Health Committee member or representative? •? by participating and cooperating with the committee members or safety rep,? •? by reporting accidents and hazards to the Workplace Safety and Health Committee or representative •? by making suggestions to improve safety and training Here is some important information about Safety and Health positions: Workplace Safety and Health Committee member •? Workplaces with 20 or more regularly employed workers must set up a joint (employer / employee) Workplace Safety and Health Committee. •? At least one half of the committee must be workers.? •? Members are either appointed by the union or elected by coworkers. The Act says that the employer cannot interfere with the selection of these positions in any way. •? Committee members’ names must be posted in the workplace in an area where everyone can see them. •? Members do workplace inspections, investigate accidents, participate in “right to refuse” inspections, and discuss Safety and Health concerns in their workplace. •? Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committees must meet at least once every three months.? •? Employers must allow committee members two days per year of educational leave for safety and health training, without loss of pay or benefits. •? All work done by committee members has to be paid by the employer as time worked. Workplace Safety and Health representative •? Workplaces with 5 or more regularly employed workers but which do not require a committee must have a Workplace Safety and Health Representative. •? The rep can be appointed by the union or elected by the workers. The Act says that the employer cannot interfere with the selection of these positions in any way. •? The rep must not be a member of management.? •? The rep’s name must be posted in the workplace in an area where everyone can see it.? •? The rep’s duties are the same as those of the Workplace Safety and Health Committee.•?All work done by the rep has to be paid by the employer as time worked. Employee Responsibilities You have responsibilities that go along with your worker rights. These responsibilities include: • taking reasonable care to protect yourself and others who may be affected by the things that you do or don’t do. • keeping the work area as safe as possible. For example, make sure doors are locked and nothing is lying around outside that could be used to start a fire or break in. • using equipment and special clothing properly. • cooperating with the Workplace Safety and Health Committee or Representative. • cooperating with other people regarding Workplace Safety and Health problems. • reporting all near misses and injuries that occur at work to the employer and the Workplace Safety and Health Committee or Representative. You also need to report this information to the Workers Compensation Board (WCB). You do this by filling out green cards when medical attention is not needed right away and filling out the long forms when something serious happens. • closely following Working Alone Plans or other safe work procedures. It is very important that you take these responsibilities seriously for the safety and health of yourself and others. Assessing Risks How are risks assessed? Many things need to be considered when assessing risks. Questions that are asked include • How serious is the harm that the hazard could cause? • What are the chances that the harm will happen? • How many workers might be hurt?• How often are workers exposed to the hazard? What situations are high, medium or low risk? Every site you work at as a security guard will be different, but they all involve some level of risk. You may work at a low risk site one week and a high risk site the next. Risk levels can vary in sites with similar functions, such as hospitals, depending on where they are located and what shift you are working. Here are some examples of different risk levels: High risk work situations • working alone • a night shift • in a high crime area • where cash or goods handled may attract criminal activity • with the public where there is a risk of violence Any one of these situations could be unsafe, but they become more dangerous when they are combined. For example, you may work the night shift in the emergency department at an inner city hospital. Medium risk work situations • an evening shift • at industrial sites • after regular hours when no site staff is working Special equipment and hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing could be a threat to your safety and health. Low risk work situations • a day or early evening shift • as a watch-person in a non-hazardous location You could be hired to be visible at a trade show in a hotel, or to control access in a condominium building. There is always added risk when you work alone, especially when patrolling is part of your job. In your duty to protect people and property, you are trained to look for problems. The best way for you to keep safe is to know the risks at your site and to follow your Working Alone Plan to get help when you need it. On the next page is a sample of a Working Alone Plan. Security skill development India Shubhrantje.blogspot.com Glossary access routes = the ways in and out of a building or site activated = caused to operate, start working, set off to adjust to = to get used to, to make the best of things anxious = uneasy, nervous to arm = to set, to turn on to assess = to evaluate, to judge to assume = to believe something to be true without knowing all of the facts attitude = way of thinking about things authority = the legal power to control, give orders and make others obey, or a person who has this power authorized = allowed, permitted barricade = physical barrier to challenge = to disobey or resist doing what someone wants client = the owner or landlord at the place where you are working combustible = able to catch fire and burn easily combustion = the process of burning communication = the sharing of thoughts, ideas, feelings between people complaint = a formal statement about a problem comply = to agree to, to go along with component = part compulsory = necessaryconduct = the way you act, how you behave confidential = private conscious = awake and able to understand what is happening around you consequences = results coordinate = work well together data = facts or information detailed = complete, includes all the important information to detect = to notice, to become aware of to deter = to prevent or discourage deterrent = something that prevents or discourages someone from doing something that they should not do to detonate = to cause to explode device = something that has been made for a special purpose to disarm = to turn off discipline = action taken against someone who, it is believed, has done something wrong discriminate = to treat differently, usually in a negative way to disrupt = to confuse or upset to distract = to break someone’s attention away from something to enforce = to make sure that a rule or regulation is followed to escalate = to take to a higher level, to make worse to escort = to go with, to guide perhaps by the arm escorting = going with someone to protect them to evacuate = to empty to evaluate = to assess, to make a judgment evidence = anything that proves something or gives a reason for believing something to extinguish = to put out extinguisher = a device that is used for putting out fires flammable = burns quickly and easily, or likely to burst into flames and to burn very quickly flare = an object that produces a bright light and is used as a signal frustrated = not satisfied because you are unable to get what you want gear = equipment for an activity, including clothing gesture = movement of the hands or head to show an idea or feeling guidance = advice or information for solving a problem or difficulty guidelines = suggestions to help someone carry out actions hazard = danger hazardous = dangerous hoax, prank = trick or joke hydrant = a pipe for water with a place where a hose can be attached identification = proof of who a person is to ignite = to start on fire illegal = against the law incident = unusual event or happening infrared = heat rays that create a beam that can’t be seen by the human eye to install = to put in interaction = a meeting between people when they communicate with each other intruder = someone who has entered an area that they are not supposed to be in involvement = participation to inspect = to look at carefully issues things = people are worried about to interact = to say or do things with another person or persons justified acting = within the law mechanical = having moving parts such as in a machine to minimize = to make less, to take to the lowest level MSDS = Material Safety Data Sheet neutral = showing no emotion, not taking either side in a disagreement (fight, protest, labour dispute)no matter what your feelings are or who seems to be right obstacles = things in the way occupants = the people inside a car, building, etc. on behalf of = in the interests of, representing pedestrian = a person who is walking perimeter = outside edge of an area to prearrange = to set in place before predictable = routine, able to know in advance procedures = ways of doing things proximity = nearness, how close something is public relations = how to get along with the public and how you want the public to see you or the organization that you represent reflective = sending back. Clothing or tape that reflects light helps you to be seen especially at night regulation = rule to repel = to push away, to hold off representative (rep) = someone who speaks for others or who brings their concerns / feedback to others to reset = to set again, to arm again residue = small amount that is left responsibilities = duties responsibility = something that you must do, watch over or take care of responsible = in charge and likely to take the blame if anything goes wrong to restrain = to physically control or confine restraint = control, self-discipline restricted = limited to only certain people, not for the general public secure = tightly closed and locked to secure = to stop people from entering or leaving a site seizure = the taking away of something from someone shop steward = a union member who helps others with problems silhouette = outline site = the place where you are guarding slang = very informal language that not everyone understands stance = how you stand and hold your body supportive = helpful surveillance camera = camera that is used to keep watch over an area for intruders or shoplifters suspicious = strange looking or out of place, guilty looking testimony = formal statement in court threat = a chance or promise that something bad is going to happen to threaten = to say that you will hurt someone threatening = causing fear, making someone uncomfortable typical = common, similar to a group unconscious = not conscious, as if in a very deep sleep valve = a device that’s used for controlling the flow of air, liquid or gas vapours = wet gasses, such as steam, that are coming off of a liquid vibration rapid shaking movement visibility the ease with which one can see things over a distance. This may be affected by light or weather. waybill a paper with the details of a shipment, including sender, receiver, and details of the goods being shipped WHMIS Workplace Hazard Material Information System. WHMIS usesspecial symbols to identify containers of hazardous material Frequently Misspelled Words A abdomen absence access accident accomplice accused across address adjacent adolescent aggressive aisle alcohol alias alleged altercation amount analyze annual anonymous apparent appear appearance apprehended approach argument arson asphyxiate assistance assistant attachment attitude attorney authority autopsy B bail bailiff barrel barricade becoming beginning believe boulevard boundary bruise bulletin business bystander C calibre cancel cancelled capable cardiac career cartridge cashier cassette casualties casualty category Caucasian caution certain challenge chief circumstantial citizen civilian classify clearance collaborate commit compliant conceal confiscate conscious consequence constable contagious convulsion corpse corridor counterfeit courtesy credential criticize custody D decapitated cylinder deceive decision decreased defense delegate delinquent describe description desperate detain deterrent device diabetes dilemma disappear discipline discriminate disease disguise dismiss E elaborate emergency emphasize enforce environment erratic essential evidence exaggerate exceed excessive excited exhibit explanation F facility flammable flexible fluorescent forehead foreign freight G gauge government graffiti grievance H harass hazard hazardous height hemorrhage hostile hydrant hypodermic I illegible immediate increase industrial infer injury instigate interrogate investigator involved J jamb janitor jewelry jurisdiction juvenile K khaki knife knowledge L language liable license M maintain maintenance management marijuana meant measurements median merchandise metric mezzanine mileage minor miscellaneous mischief morgue muscle N necessary negative negotiate neighbour neither neutral niece ninety noticeable O o’clock obstacle occasion occupant occurrence offense official oppose origin P parallel participation partition peace pedestrian perceive perimeter permanent physical positive possession prejudice presence procedure proceed pronunciation proprietor R receding receipt receive recognize reference reinforcement relieve rescue resident residue response restaurant resume resuscitate review ricochet routine S visible safety volume salvage scene W schedule weapon seize witness sentence wound separate writing sergeant serial Y similar yield source youth specimen subpoena succeed surprise survive suspicious T tattoo tenant testify testimony thorough thought trespass U umbrella unusual utility V vaccination vacuum validate valuable various vehicle ventilation verify vicinity victim view violence Frequently Confused Words accept = to receive to agree to I accepted the prize. He accepted that he didn’t get the promotion. except = to exclude Everyone was invited except Sue. access = the right to enter The employee had access to the building. excess = extra The excess food was thrown away. affect = to impact The child’s tears affected him. effect = the outcome The pill had a bad side effect. a lot = many, much A lot of people saw the accident. allot = to give according to a plan The company will allot money for a new fence. allowed = to have permission for The guard was allowed search employees as they were leaving. aloud = out loud The guard read aloud from her notebook in court. all ready = prepared We are all ready to go home. already = earlier I signed the statement already. altar = front table in a church Flowers were placed on the altar. alter = to change You cannot alter your notes. anyway = in any case She will be blamed anyway. anyways = not a word breath = air taken into and sent out of the lungs He had trouble catching his breath after he run up the stairs. breathe = to inhale and exhale It is hard to breathe in a smoky room. cease = stop The noise ceased when the machine was turned off. seize = to take hold of The police seized the suspect’s gun. ceiling = the overhead surface of a room The lab had automatic sprinklers on the ceiling. sealing = closing He was sealing the package whenthe thief surprised him. cent = one penny He only got one cent in change when he bought the tire. scent = odor The scent of his cologne was too strong. sent = transmitted He sent a letter of complaint. choose = pick, decide on I choose not to smoke. chose = picked, decided on (past of choose) He chose a tie to match his suit. course = program of study I’m taking a self-defense course. coarse = large grained rude The gravel in the parking lot was coarse. Coarse language is offensive. conscious = aware The victim was conscious, but in a lot of pain. conscience = a sense of moral standards His conscience bothered him after he stole the old lady’s purse. every one = each one, all Every one of the computers needs to be fixed. everyone = everybody Everyone complains about shift work. find = discover I hope they find the missing money. fined = made to pay a financial penalty She was fined for not cleaning up after her dog. forth = to proceed ahead He went forth into the burning building. fourth = number four in a series. She was the fourth witness called to the stand. gait = way of walking He had a strange gait after he broke his leg. gate = door in a fence The guard controlled access at the gate. hear = to become aware of with the ears The noise made it difficult to hear the speaker. here = at this place The manager is not here right now. hole = an opening or empty place in a solid thing The suspect had a hole in his jeans. whole = all I can’t believe I ate the whole pie! irregardless = not a word regardless of = in spite of Regardless of the weather, foot patrols must continue. its = used to show possession The cat licked its paw. it’s = it is It’s a beautiful day today. lessen = to become less The pain lessened after he took some medicine. lesson = Something learned or taught The thief learned her lesson after she got caught. leased = method or renting The salesperson had to lease a car. least = smallest amount or number The Argos had the least players. loose = not tight free She wears loose fitting jeans. They set the dogs loose to chase the suspect. l ose = to misplace Don’t lose your notebook. to be defeated If we don’t try harder we will lose this game. mail = letters or packages Don’t accept any suspicious mail. male = man or boy The witness was a 25 year old male. meat = flesh of animals used as food I like red meat better than vegetables. meet = to come together Meet me at the front entrance. median = a line dividing a highway The car crossed the median when it skidded. medium = average He had a medium build. miner = a person who works in a mine The miner retired early. minor = a person under legal age Sally is still a minor and she should not be served in a bar. of = preposition She is afraid of dogs. off = opposite of on Turn the light off when you leave the room. pale = having little colour The victim became pale after the accident. pail = bucket He used a pail of water to put thefire out. pain = hurt, suffering He injury caused him a lot of pain. pane = plate of glass The window pane was broken. pair = two of something The police found a pair of shoes at the scene of the crime. pear = kind of fruit He brought a pear for lunch. patience = ability to wait Parents must have patience with their children. patients = people under medical care The patients waited in an emergency room. peace = absence of war, state of relaxation She felt at peace after the yoga class. piece = part separated from whole The child had a piece of cake. personal = private individual That’s a private question. Your personal opinion is important. personnel = employees Our personnel are highly trained. plain = simple He wore a plain shirt. plane = airplane The plane arrived on time. precede = come before The rain was preceded by thunder and lightning. proceed = move forward The crowd was asked to proceed in an orderly way quiet = silent, not noisy You must be quiet after 10 p.m. quit = stop We quit work at 5 p.m. quite = very much, entirely He’s quite happy with his work. residence = a living place, home There was no one at the residence when the taxi arrived. residents = people living at a location The petition was signed by the apartment block residents. right = correct direction . write = set down in words Write neatly when you make your report. stair = steps on an incline The stairs were very steep.stare = long look The clerk stared at the shopper. First Aid Emergency care for the injured What is First Aid? First aid is the provision of immediate care to a victim with an injury of illness, usually effected by a lay person, and performed within a limited skill range. First aid is normally performed until the injury or illness is satisfactorily dealt with (such as in the case of small cuts, minor bruises, and blisters) or until the next level of care, such as an ambulance or doctor, arrives. Guiding principles The key guiding principles and purpose of first aid, is often given in the mnemonic "3 Ps". These three points govern all the actions undertaken by a first aider. • Prevent further injury • Preserve life • Promote recovery First Aid/ Protective Precautions Awareness of Danger The first thing that any first aider should be aware of when entering a situation is the potential for danger to themselves. This is especially important in first aid, as situations which are dangerous are the most likely to produce casualties who require first aid. Danger can consist of: • Environmental danger - A danger in the surroundings, such as falling masonry, broken glass, fast vehicles or chemicals. • Human danger - Danger from people at the scene (including the victim) which can be intentional or accidental. Barrier Devices Keeping yourself protected is the first priority of any first aider. The key skill for this is awareness of your surroundings and the changing situation. Once you are aware of the hazards, you can then take steps to minimize the risk to oneself. One of the key dangers to a first aider is bodily fluids, such as blood, vomit, urine and feces, which pose a risk of cross contamination. Body fluids can carry infections and diseases, including, but not limited to, HIV and hepatitis. Gloves A Purple Nitrile Glove The main tool of the first aider to avoid this risk is a pair of impermeable gloves. Gloves protect the key contact point with the victim (i.e. the hands) and allow you to work in increased safety. They protect not only from bodily fluids, but from any dermatological infections or parasites that the victim may have. The first thing a first aider should do when approaching, or on their way to, a victim is to put on their gloves. Remember GO to the victim (Gloves On) They are generally of three types: • Nitrile - These gloves can come in any color (often purple or blue) and are completely impermeable to bodily fluids. These are the gloves most recommended for use during victim contact. This material is also rated for dealing with chemical spills. If you ever need to deal with chemical burns, these are the gloves to use (you can brush off dry chemicals with gloved hands if you use nitrile). Nitrile gloves, however, are also the most expensive. • Latex - Usually white gloves, often treated with powder to make them easier to get on or off. These are not used as widely as they once were due to a prevalence of allergies to latex. Latex allergies are rarely life-threatening; if you must use latex gloves, ask the victim if they have a severe allergy to latex. • Vinyl - Vinyl gloves are found in some kits, although they should not be used for contact with body fluids, though they are far better than nothing. They should primarily be used for touching victims who do not have external body fluids due to the glove's high break rate. For this reason, some organizations recommend they are not kept in first aid kits due to the risk of confusion. CPR MASK CPR Adjunct A CPR pocket mask, with carrying case The other key piece of protective equipment that should be in every first aid kit is an adjunct for helping to perform safe mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. With mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, there is a high probability of bodily fluid contact, especially with regurgitated stomach contents and mouth borne infections. A suitable mask will protect the rescuer from infections the victim may carry (and to some extent, protect the victim from the rescuer). It also makes the performance of CPR less onerous (not wishing to perform mouth to mouth is a key reason cited for bystanders not attempting CPR). CPR adjuncts come in a variety of forms, from small keyrings with a nitrile plastic shield, up to a fitted rescue 'pocket mask' such as the one pictured. Other equipment Larger first aid kits, or those in high risk areas could contain additional equipment such as: • Safety glasses - Prevents spurting or pooled fluid which could splay from coming in contact with the eyes. • Apron or gown - Disposable aprons are common items in larger kits, and help protect the rescuers clothing from contamination. • Filter breathing mask - Some large kits, especially in high risk areas such as chemical plants, may contain breathing masks which filter out harmful chemicals or pathogens. These can be useful in normal first aid kits for dealing with victim who are suffering from communicable respiratory infections such as tuberculosis. Often times, all of these will be included as a part of a larger kit. The kit should have a list of instructions on how to properly don/don off the equipment. Follow these instructions to prevent an accidental exposure. First Aid/ Critical Incident Stress & Victim Death What is Critical Incident Stress? Any emergency that involves a severe injury or death is a critical incident. This incident could be amplified should the emergency involve a family member or friend. The stress that these incidents cause may overwhelm a first aider and shut down their ability to cope. This is what is known as critical incident stress (CIS). This condition may have a great impact on the first aider suffering from it, and if left un-treated, this stress may lead to a more serious condition known as post-traumatic stress syndrome. Signs of CIS • May not perform well at their job. • May seem pre-occupied. • Confusion • Poor concentration • Guilt• Denial • Anger • Change in appetite • Unusual behaivior Treatment CIS requires professional help to avoid Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. However, there are supplements to professional treatment that will help such as: • Relaxation techniques • Avoiding drugs and alcohol • Eating a balanced diet • Getting enough rest • Talking with peers First Aid/ A for Airway A for Airway The head-tilt chin-lift opens the airway safely and effectively. The airway of the human body is one of the more important parts to be checked when providing first aid. The airway is the entrance point of oxygen and the exit point of carbon dioxide for the body. Should this become blocked, respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest (if left un-treated) may occur. An unconscious person's airway may be blocked when their tongue relaxes and falls across the airway. The technique used to open the airway is called the "head-tilt chin-lift" technique. The victim must be supine (lying on their back). With one hand on the forehead and the other hand under the chin, the victim's head is tilted back, and their chin lifted. The victim's jawline should be perpendicular to the ground. Conscious victims can normally maintain an open airway; if the victim is talking or has no respiratory distress, their airway is adequate. You may also check the airway for visible, removable obstructions in the mouth, which you could remove with a finger. You can remove any item in the mouth which is removable, but should not waste time trying to remove lodged items such as dentures. The head-tilt chin-lift opens the airway safely and effectively. First Aid/ B for Breathing Principles Human respiration works by inspiring fresh air, absorbing part (but not all) of the oxygen in it, which is then distributed to the cells by the blood, and exchanging carbon dioxide. Lungs have a capacity of a dozen of liters. When a victim stops breathing, spontaneous respiration can restart if stimulated by insufflations. However, a victim in respiratory arrest is likely to fall into cardio-respiratory arrest. Checking the respiration After opening the victim's airway, check for breathing. To do this, place your cheek in front of the victim's mouth (about 3-5 cm away) while looking at their chest. You can also gently place a hand on the centre of the victim's chest if you wish. You may be able to detect the following signs if the victim is breathing: 1. Feel the airflow on your cheek 2. Hear the airflow 3. See the chest rise and fall 4. Smell the breath of the victim 5. Feel the chest rise and fall under your hand (if you have placed it on the chest) Search for these signs for 10 seconds. If there is no breathing, you must start CPR. Rescue breaths must be provided to victims in a state of respiratory arrest; do not provide them to a weakly breathing victim. If you cannot detect the breath of the victim, begin CPR. If you have a CPR mask, use it to protect yourself and the victim from exchange of body fluids. Cheap, keyring-sized CPR masks are available in most pharmacies. Make sure you read the instructions for how to use any equipment you buy. However, chances are that you will find yourself unequipped; do your best with what you have, but do not place yourself in danger by direct contact with body fluids, such as blood - proceed to compressions only. Start by giving two rescue breaths. • Maintain an open airway using the head-tilt chin-lift • Plug the nose of the victim with your free hand • Put your mouth on the mouth of the victim in an airtight manner, and blow into the mouth of the victim, do not blow forcefully as this may cause the air to enter the stomach, which will cause vomiting, the best way to avoid this is to blow air into the mouth just enough to make the chest rise • Let the air exit, and give another breath Continue with CPR compressions. First Aid/ C for Compressions Principles Schematic of the human heart. The purpose of doing chest compressions is to effectively squeeze the heart inside the victim's chest, causing blood to flow. This allows the normal gaseous exchange between the lungs, bloodstream and tissues to occur. Compressions are now usually performed before any rescue breaths due to the fact that when normal breathing and circulation stop, there is still a good amount of residual oxygen left in the bloodstream (as it has no way to exchange out of the body). Technique The aim is always to compress in the center of the chest, regardless of the victim. This means that compressions are performed on the sternum or breastbone of the victim, approximately in line with the nipples on males and children. Compressions for infant CPR are done with two fingers. • For adults (>8) - place the palm of one hand in the centre of the chest, approximately between the nipple line (on adult males - for females, you may need to approximate the ideal position of this line due to variations in breast size and shape). Bring your other hand to rest on top of the first hand, and interlock your fingers. Bring your shoulders directly above your hands, keeping your arms straight. You should then push down firmly, depressing the chest to about one third (1/3) of its depth. • For children (1-8) - place the palm of one hand in the centre of the chest, approximately between the nipple line. Bring your shoulder directly above your hand, with your arm straight, and perform compressions to one third (1/3) the depth of the chest with one arm only. • For infants (<1yr) - Use your forefinger and middle finger only. Place your forefinger on the centre of the child's chest between the nipples, with your middle finger immediately below it on the chest, and push downwards using the strength in your arm, compressing the chest about one third (1/3) of it's depth. Give 30 compressions in a row, and then two (2) rescue breaths. Then restart your next cycle of compressions Making compressions effective You MUST allow the ribs to come all the way back out after each compression, followed by a brief pause. This allows the heart's chambers to refill. Spacing compressions too close together will lead to them being ineffective. You are aiming for a rate of 100 compressions per minute, which includes the time to give rescue breaths. In practice, you should get just over 2 cycles of 30 compressions in along with breaths per minute. Almost everyone compresses the chest too fast - Experience shows that even well trained first aiders tend to compress the heart too fast. The rate you are aiming for is only a little over one per second. The best equipped first aid kits should include a Metronome with an audible 'beep' to match your speed to. Many public access defibrillators have these included in their pack. If one is not available, count the number of compressions with the word 'and' between them. When you press down on the chest, say the number, when the chest rises say 'and'. this way, you will be saying 'one-and-two-and-three...' Keep your arms straight - A lot of television and films show actors 'performing CPR' bending their elbows. This is not correct - you should always keep your arms straight, with your elbows locked and directly above your hands. It often helps to count out loud - You need to try and get 30 compressions per cycle, and it helps to count this out loud or under your breath. Performing compressions is tiring, and you may not be able to count out loud for the duration, but ensure you keep counting. If you lose count, don't stop, just estimate - It is important to carry on once you've started, so if you lose count, don't panic, and simply estimate when 30 compressions is over, and do 2 breaths, then start over counting again. You are likely to break ribs - When performed correctly, especially on older people, compressions are more likely than not to break ribs or the sternum itself. You should carry on regardless of this occurring. It is a sign that you are performing good, strong compressions. Oftentimes the cracking sound you will hear is just the cartilage of the ribs and sternum breaking, and not the bones themselves. If bystanders are concerned about injury to the victim, you may want to remind them of the life over limb principle and assure them that it is normal to hear these sounds. When to Stop You should continue giving the victim CPR until: • The victim starts breathing spontaneously - This does not include gasping, called agonal breathing. Victims are also likely to make sighing noises or groans as you perform chest compressions - this should not be mistaken for breathing. • The victim vomits - This is an ACTIVE mechanism, meaning the victim moves and actively vomits. Not to be confused with regurgitation, where stomach contents make their way passively in to the mouth. If the victim vomits, roll them to their side, clear the airway once they're done vomiting and reassess ABCs. • Qualified help arrives and takes over. This could be a responder with a defibrillator, the ambulance service or a doctor. However DO NOT STOP until told to do so. They are likely to require time to set up their equipment, and you should continue with CPR until instructed to stop. They are likely to work around you, placing defibrillation pads on the victim's chest while you continue compressions. Continue working as normal, and let them work around you. • You are unable to continue - CPR is physically very demanding, and continued periods can be exhausting. Try to change places frequently with another trained rescuer to lessen the chance of exhaustion. • You put yourself in danger by continuing - Hazards may change, and if your life is endangered by a new hazard, you should stop CPR. If possible, remove the victim from the hazardous situation as well. Obstructed Airway If your ventilations don't go in, try adjusting the angle of the head (usually tilting it further back) and re-attempt ventilation. If the breath still doesn't go in, then do your compressions, and check the airway for obvious foreign obstructions after the compressions. If you see a foreign obstruction, remove it with your fingers if possible. Do not discontinue CPR because the airway is occluded. Schematic of the human heart. Compressions for infant CPR are done with two fingers. First Aid/ D for Deadly Bleeding Deadly Bleeding CPR without enough blood is useless, so a check for deadly bleeding should be included in your primary survey whenever possible. If your victim is breathing, then you should continue your primary assessment with a check for deadly bleeding. If your victim isn't breathing, then you'll be doing CPR; a bystander or second trained first aider may be able to perform this check while you continue resuscitation. Assessment With gloved hands check the victim's entire body for bleeding, starting with the head. Run your hands as far under the victim as possible on either sides, checking your gloves often. If your hands are bloody, then you've found bleeding. Make sure you check the head carefully; if you find an injury on the head or neck, it may indicate a spinal injury, in which case, the spine should be immobilized. As well, hair conceals blood surprisingly well - make sure you check the scalp thoroughly. Treatment The key element in treating severe bleeding is the application of firm, direct pressure to the wound, using sterile gauze or other dressing. The wound may be elevated above the heart to reduce blood pressure, though this should not be done if there is a risk of disturbing fractures, or if it causes much pain to the victim. Consider using pressure points to control major bleeding: press down on an artery that is between the heart and the wound to keep blood from flowing to the wound. Tourniquets may also be useful in controlling massive bleeding; this is not a standard procedure and should only be used as a last resort when the victim will die without it. First Aid/ CPR summary This is a summary of CPR procedure, intended as a reminder for those with previous CPR training. It is not intended as a "teach yourself CPR" guide. It does not include the full details of CPR, which are included in the wikibook proper. Area - check the area Look for hazards. If there are hazards, remove them, or remove the victim from them if possible. If not, then retreat to a safe distance, call EMS and wait for their arrival. Make sure that you do not put yourself in danger. If you are near a road, ensure that you are clearly visible to traffic. Put on gloves if you have them. Awake - check level of consciousness Airway - open the airway Quickly remove any loose and obvious obstructions from the mouth. Then tilt the head back and lift the chin so the victim's jawline is perpendicular to the ground Breathing - check for breathing Correct position for CPR. The arms are fully extended and the thrusts are given from the hips. Is the victim breathing? If YES, place the victim in the Recovery position and call for help unless a spinal injury is suspected in which it is crucial to not move the patient. If the patient vomits, however, it is more important to roll them over to their side while holding the back, neck, and head stable. If NO, give 2 rescue breaths and begin compressions. Compressions - begin Compressions Correct position for CPR. The arms are fully extended and the thrusts are given from the hips. The six areas Divide the body into 6 areas; after you examine each area, you reassess ABCs. • Head and neck - The head and neck are important areas to assess, and you should take time and care to look for any potential problems. • Head - Using both hands (with gloves on), gently run your hands across the skull, pressing in gently but firmly, starting at the forehead and working around to the back of the head. Feel for indentations, look for blood or fluid and watch the victim for signs of discomfort. If it is a trauma injury, check both ears for signs of blood or fluid. • Neck - The neck is an important area. Start at the sides of the neck and gently press in. Watch carefully for signs of pain. Move around until you reach the spine, moving as far down the neck as possible without moving them, if they are on their back. If there is pain, tenderness or deformity here, then you should stop the survey and immediately immobilize the neck, placing one hand on each side of the head, with the thumb around the ear. This is most comfortable done from 'above' with the victim lying supine on their back, although you should support the victim in the position you find them. If there is room, you can also lie on your front, with your elbows on the floor to support the head. If there are two people, one should immobilize the head, whilst the other continues the survey. If there is only one person, immobilize the head and wait for help. • Shoulders, chest and back - This area of the body contains many of the vital organs, so it is important to look for damage which could indicate internal injury • Shoulders - You should try and expose the shoulders if possible, looking for obvious deformity, especially around the collar bones. You can try pressing along the line of the collar bone, watching for deformity or pain. You should then place a hand on each shoulder, and gently push down, looking to ensure that one side does not move more than the other. • Chest - The chest is ideally done exposed, although you should be aware of the sensitivity of females to this, and if you are able to keep breasts covered, it is advisable to do so. You should be looking for sections of the chest which are out of line with the rest of it, or which are moving differently to the rest of the chest whilst breathing. You should also look for obvious wounds. You can then gently press on the chest. The best way to do this is to imagine the chest divided in to four quarters running neck to stomach. You should place one hand (balled as a fist works well here, to avoid concerns over excess touching) and press down one on the left and one on the right in each quarter (avoiding breasts if applicable). You are watching for one side moving differently to the other, or for pain being caused. • Back - If the victim is lying on their side, or front, you can also feel down their spine. If they are lying on their back, then skip this part of the check, and leave it for the ambulance crew. • Arms and hands - Run both your hands down one arm at a time, looking for deformity or pain. • Abdomen - The abdomen contains the remainder of the body's critical organs, so it should be checked for potential damage. The abdomen is mostly done by gentle pushing, using the flat of your hands. Again, use symmetry, and push both sides simultaneously. Check if the abdomen feels hard (called 'boarded') or for pain caused by the palpation. • Pelvis - The pelvis (hips) is a large bone, with potential for a fair amount of damage. The main diagnostic test to to place a hand on each hip and first gently compress the hips together with both hands (there should be very little movement, and little to no pain). If the patient has moderate to severe pain when the hips are compressed, or the hips move when compressed, do not rock the hips from side to side. If there is no pain or movement, gently push down on the hips in a "rocking" motion to see if there is any movement. • Legs and feet - As with arms, use both hands at the same time, running them down the inside and outside of each leg simultaneously (avoiding the groin area on the inside). You should also look for any shortening or rotation of one leg compared to the other. Finally, you take take each foot, check that it has normal motility (can be moved normally) and has no obvious injuries First Aid/ History History What is the problem? History of chief complaint How did this happen? Has it ever happened before? Allergies Are you allergic to anything? Medical history and medications Do you have any medical conditions (angina, high BP, diabetes…)? Do you take any medications? Do your medications help when this happens? What is the name of your normal doctor? Pain assessment Pain location Quality of pain (sharp/dull, squeezing…) Radiating pain? Severity of pain (on a scale from 1 to 10) Timing (Constant? For how long?) Also try to find out what makes it feel better/worse Important Information Name, date of birth, age, sex, address… Onset When did the symptoms start? What were you doing? Next of Kin Is there anyone you would like contacted? Assessments The vital signs you are looking to record relate to the body's essential functions. It starts with the airway and breathing already covered in basic life support (although you should look for additional detail) and continues with circulation, look of the skin, level of consciousness and pupil reaction. Breathing While maintaining an open airway, ensure that the victim is breathing and count the rate of breathing. The easiest way to do this is to count the number of breaths taken in a given time period (15 or 30 seconds are common time frames), and then multiply up to make a minute. The longer the time period, the more accurate it is, however you are likely to want the patient not to converse (as this disrupts their breathing pattern), and it is important not to tell them that you are watching their breathing, as this is likely to make them alter the pattern, so a shorter period is likely to be more useful and reduce worry for the patient. In addition to rate, you should note if the breathing is heavy or shallow, and importantly if it is regular. If it is irregular, see if there is a pattern to it (such as breathing slowly, getting faster, then suddenly slower again). Note whether breathing is noisy (wheezing could be a sign of asthma, rattling (also called 'striddor') a sign of fluid in the throat or lungs) Circulation Whereas in the primary survey, we did not check the circulation of the victim to see if the heart was beating (we assumed that if the victim was breathing, their heart was working and if they were not breathing, their heart was also stopped), it is important in monitoring the breathing victim to check their circulation. The two main checks are: • Capillary Refill - The capillaries are the smallest type of blood vessel, and are responsible for getting blood in to all the body tissues. If the blood pressure is not high enough, then not enough blood will be getting to the capillaries. It is especially important to check capillary refill if the victim has suffered an injury to one of their limbs. You check capillary refill by taking the victim's hand, lifting it above the level of the heart, and squeezing reasonably hard for about a second on the nailbed. This should move the blood out, and the nail bed will appear white. If the pink colour returns quickly (and in a healthy victim, it may return before you even move your fingers away to look!), then this is normal. Victims who have poor peripheral circulation, especially the elderly and hypothermia victims, may not demonstrate adequate capillary refill due to general lack of bloodflow, making this test less valuable on these patients. A normal time for the pink colour to return is less than two seconds. If it takes longer than two seconds for colour to return, then this could indicate a problem and you should seek medical advice. • Pulse check - As a first aider, you can also check a victim's heart rate by feeling for their pulse. There are three main places you might wish to check for a pulse: • Radial pulse - This is the best pulse to look for a first aider, on a conscious victim, as it is non-invasive and relatively easy to find. It is located on the wrist (over the radial bone). To find it, place the victim's hand palm up and take the first two fingers of your hand (NEVER use your thumb, as it contains a pulse of its own) and on the thumb side of the victim's wrist you will feel a rounded piece of bone, move in from here 1-2cm in to a shallow dip at the side of the bone, and press your fingers in (gently), where you should be able to feel a pulse. Taking a pulse here can be a skill that takes practice, so it is worth frequently testing this skill. Should there be no pulse in a victim who is pale and unwell, you are advised to seek medical assistance urgently. • Carotid Pulse - This is in the main artery which supplies the head and brain, and is located in the neck. This is best used on unconscious victims, or those victim where you are unable to find a radial pulse. To locate it, place your two fingers in to the indentation to the side of the windpipe, in line with the Adam's Apple (on men), or approximately the location a Adam's Apple would be on women. • Pedal Pulse - The pedal pulse can be found in several locations on the foot, and this is used when you suspect a broken leg, in order to ascertain if there is blood flowing to the foot. When measuring a pulse you should measure the pulse rate. This is best achieved by counting the number of beats in 15 seconds, and then multiplying the result by four. You should also check if the pulse is regular or irregular. Skin Related to circulation, is the colour of the skin. Changes in circulation will cause the skin to be different colours, and you should note if the victim is flushed, pale, ashen, or blue tinged. It should also be noted if the victim's skin is clammy, sweaty or very dry, and this information should be passed on to the ambulance crew. Level of Consciousness You can continue to use the acronym AVPU to assess if the victim's level of consciousness changes while you are with them. To recap, the levels are: Alert Voice induces response Pain induces response Unresponsive to stimuli Pupils Valuable information can be gained from looking a victim's pupils. For this purpose, first aid kits should have a penlight or small torch in them. Ideally, the pupils of the eye should be equal and reactive to light, usually written down as PEARL. Pupils Equal And Reactive to Light To check this, ask the victim to look straight at you with both eyes. Look to see if both pupils are the same size and shape (be sensitive to those who may be blind in one eye, or may even have a glass eye, although they will usually tell you) To check if they are reactive, take the penlight, and ask the victim to look at your nose. Briefly (5 seconds or so) shield their eye with your hand from the light source where they are (sunlight, room lighting etc.), and then turn on the penlight, positioning it off to the side of their head. Move the penlight in over their eye quickly, and watch to see the size change. A normal reaction would be the pupil getting smaller quickly as the light is shone in to it. Repeat on the other eye. If both pupils are the same, and both react, note this on your form as PEARL, or else note down what you did, or did not see. First Aid/ External Bleeding Road rash can vary in severity; here it caused some minor bleeding and fluid discharge. Introduction Road rash can vary in severity; here it caused some minor bleeding and fluid discharge. Bleeding is a common reason for the application of first aid measures and can be internal or external. The principle difference is whether the blood leaves the body - external bleeding can be seen, whereas in internal bleeding, no blood can be seen. There are many causes of external bleeding, which fall in to six main categories, which are: • Abrasion - Also called a graze, this is caused by transverse action of a foreign object against the skin, and usually does not penetrate below the epidermis • Excoriation - In common with Abrasion, this is caused by mechanical destruction of the skin, although it usually has an underlying medical cause • Laceration - Irregular wound caused by blunt impact to soft tissue overlying hard tissue or tearing such as in childbirth • Incision - A clean 'surgical' wound, caused by a sharp object, such as a knife • Puncture Wound - Caused by an object penetrated the skin and underlying layers, such as a nail, needle or knife • Contusion - Also known as a bruise, this is a blunt trauma damaging tissue under the surface of the skin • Gunshot wounds - Caused by a projectile weapon, this may include two external wounds (entry and exit) and a contiguous wound between the two As with all first aid situations, the priority is to protect yourself, so put on protective gloves before approaching the victim. All external bleeding is treated using three key techniques, which allow the body's natural repair process to start. These can be remembered using the acronym mnemonic 'RED': Rest Elevation Direct pressure Rest In all cases, the less movement the wound undergoes, the easier the healing process will be, so rest is advised. Direct Pressure A rescuer applying direct pressure and elevating the arm for an arm laceration. Direct Pressure The most important of these three is direct pressure. This is simply placing pressure on the wound in order to stem the flow of blood. This is best done using a dressing, such as a sterile gauze pad (although in an emergency, any material is suitable). If the blood starts to come through the dressing you are using, add additional dressings to the top, to a maximum of three. If you reach three dressings, you should remove all but the one in contact with the wound itself (as this may cause it to reopen) and continue to add pads on top. Repeat this again when you reach three dressings. The reason for not simply adding more dressings is that it becomes harder to apply the direct pressure which is clearly needed if this much blood is produced. Where an articulate area of the body is wounded (such as the arms or hands), it is important to consider the position of the area in keeping pressure on the wound. For example, if a hand is cut 'across' from the thumb to halfway across the palm, the would can be closed with direct pressure by simply clasping the victim's hand shut. However, if the hand was wounded from between the two middle fingers down to the wrist, closing the hand would have the effect of opening the wound, and so the victim should have their hand kept flat. In most cases, during the initial treatment of the bleed, you will apply pressure by hand in order to stem the flow of blood. In some cases, a dressing may help you do this as it can keep pressure consistently on the wound. If you stop the flow by hand, you should then consider dressing the wound properly, as below. Dressing Once the bleeding is slowed or stopped, or in some cases, to assist the slowing of the blood flow you should consider dressing the wound properly. To dress a wound, use a sterile low-adherent pad, which will not stick to the wound, but will absorb the blood coming from it. Once this is in place, wrap a crepe or conforming bandage around firmly. It should be tight enough to apply some direct pressure, but should not be so tight as to cut blood flow off below the bandage. A simple check for the bandage being too tight on a limb wound is a capillary refill check; to do this, hold the hand or foot (dependent on what limb is injured) above the level of the heart and firmly pinch the nail. If it takes more than 2 seconds for the pink color to return under the nail, then the bandage is likely to be too tight. If the blood starts to come through the dressing you have applied, add another on top, to a maximum of three. If these are all saturated, remove the top two, leaving the closest dressing to the wound in place. This ensures that any blood clots that have formed are not disturbed; otherwise, the wound would be opened anew. Special cases Nosebleeds (epistaxis) If a person has nosebleed, have them pinch the soft part of the nose firmly between thumb and forefinger, just below the end of the bone. If necessary, do this yourself, but it is preferable to have them do it themselves if they are able to do it effectively. The victim should lean their head slightly forward and breathe through their mouth. You can also leave the head in a neutral position, but never tilt the head back. Tilting the head forward ensures that blood isn't ingested (as it can cause vomiting) or inhaled (choking hazard). If you are unsuccessful at stopping the bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure, you should assess the blood flow. If the blood flow is minor, you could consider using an ice pack on the bridge of the nose to help stem the flow. If the nose continues to bleed with a fast flow, you should seek medical assistance, probably from the ambulance. Embedded Objects If there is something embedded in the wound, do not remove it. Instead, apply pressure around the object using sterile gauze as described above. Rolled bandages are perfect for this. Be careful not to disturb the object, as moving it may exacerbate the bleeding. This doesn't apply to superficial splinters and such. Stab, puncture or gunshot wounds to the body These wounds are life threatening, and after assessing the ABCs of the victim, you should immediately summon an ambulance. As always, you should check that you are not in danger when approaching these victims (from someone with a knife or gun, for instance). As with all embedded objects, ensure you do not remove the item from the body. If possible, you should sit the victim up (as blood in the body will go to the lowest point, allowing the heart and lungs to work as efficiently as possible). You should also lean them to the injured side, keeping the healthy side free from incursion by blood. Assess the victim for open chest wounds or abdominal injuries, and treat accordingly. Amputations If a body part has been amputated, immediately summon ambulance assistance, and treat the bleeding as above. Cover the amputated part with a moist dressing and get it into a clean plastic bag, and place this bag into a bag of ice and water, sending it with the victim to the hospital. (label date & time, what body part it is ie:Right finger) You should avoid putting the part in direct contact with ice, as this can cause irreparable damage, meaning that surgeons are unable to reattach it. If the body part is partially amputated, do not detach. First Aid/ Internal Bleeding Introduction Internal bleeding is bleeding which occurs inside the body. Sometimes the blood will leak from inside the body through natural openings. Other times the blood stays inside the body, causing pain and shock, even though you cannot see the blood loss. Causes Internal bleeding can be caused numerous ways. Any time someone could have internal bleeding, you will do no harm by treating them for internal bleeding, but not treating the victim could lead to death. Some causes include: • Falls • Car Accidents • Motorcycle Accidents • Pedestrians Struck by a Vehicle • Gun Shot Wounds • Injures from Explosions • Impaled Objects • Stab Wounds • Surgery Recognition A person may be bleeding internally if one of these things happens: • Blood comes out of the nose or mouth (occurs from severe head trauma) • Blood or clear fluid comes out of the ear (occurs from severe head trauma) • Blood is in the stool • Blood is in the urine • Bright red blood, or blood like 'coffee-grounds', is in the vomit • Blood comes from a woman's birth canal after an injury or during pregnancy • Bruising over the abdominal or chest area • Pain over vital organs • Fractured femur But remember, a person may be bleeding inside the body, even though you cannot see the bleeding. If you see the signs of shock and no apparent injuries, always suspect internal bleeding. Check the skin color changes. In cases of internal bleeding the skin may become pale and cold, and cyanosis may be present. Treatment Best Practice Any time there is the possibility of internal bleeding, it is crucial to treat as if there is internal bleeding. Not treating may result in death, but treating when there is no injury will not result in harm. As with any victim, before treating, put on disposable gloves and take other necessary body substance isolation precautions. • Check the victim's ABCs. • If the victim has ABC complications, treat those first - ABCs always take priority. • Call an ambulance • Treat for shock • Assist the victim into the most comfortable position • Monitor ABCs and vitals until the ambulance arrives First Aid/ Heart Attack & Angina I Heart attack can be caused by blockage in arteries supplying blood to the heart. Introduction Heart attack can be caused by blockage in arteries supplying blood to the heart. Heart attack (myocardial infarction) is when blood supply to the heart or part of the heart is cut off partially or completely, which leads to death of the heart muscle due to oxygen deprivation. Heart attacks usually occur after periods of rest or being recumbent, and only rarely occur after exercise (despite popular portrayal). Angina (angina pectoris) is a 'miniature heart attack' caused by a short term blockage. Angina almost always occurs after strenuous exercise or periods of high stress for the victim. The key differentiation between a heart attack and angina is that, in line with their typical onset modes, angina should start to relieve very shortly after resting (a few minutes), whereas a heart attack will not relieve with rest. Recognition • Chest pain: tightness in the chest or between the shoulder blades, often radiating into the left arm, and the jaw • Nausea or indigestion (especially in women) • Pale, clammy skin • Ashen grey skin • Impending sense of doom • Denial Treatment Assist the victim with medication, if they have any. People with angina will often have medication to control it; either as pills or a spray. The pills should never be touched with bare skin by the rescuer, as they may cause a migraine headache, and they are placed under the tongue for absorption. The spray should be taken on the bottom of the tongue. Only the victim should administer his medication. If he is unable to do so, then the rescuer should not do it for him. Helping to take the lid off or handing the bottle to the victim is fine, this should be documented if patient is transferred to other rescuers. • Call for an ambulance if they don't have medication, or if the medication doesn't help • Loosen tight clothing, especially around the neck • Assist the victim into a recumbent position, with the body leant back at about 45 degrees, with feet on the floor, but knees raised - this puts the patient in a 'W' position. • If the patient is not on any anti-coagulant medicine such as heparin or warfarin, then assist them in taking one dose of aspirin if they decide to do so. • Continue monitoring vitals • Be prepared to do CPR should the victim go into cardiac arrest. First Aid/ Stroke & TIA A Stroke is a small blockage in a blood vessel of the brain, which causes oxygen starvation to that part. This oxygen starvation can cause a loss of function, related to the area of the brain affected. Dependant on the length of time the area is blocked, the damage may become irreparable. The blockage is usually caused by a small blood clot, although incursions such as air bubbles can have the same effect. There are two main types of stroke - a CVA (Cardiovascular Attack - sometimes called just a stroke or major stroke) and a TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack - sometimes called a mini-stroke). The difference between a CVA and a TIA is simply the duration of the symptoms. If the symptoms pass Recognition Best Practice To test for the affected side of a stroke, have the victim squeeze your hands at the same time. You will notice a difference in pressure that they may not. The key recognition signs for a stroke can be remembered with the acronym FAST, which stands for: • Facial Weakness - Can the person smile? has their eye or mouth drooped? • Arm Weakness - Can the person raise both arms and hold them parallel? If they squeeze your hands can they exert equal force? • Speech problems - Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say • Test all three symptoms The patient may also experience additional symptoms, which on their own do not indicate a stroke. These include: • Sudden blurred, dim or patchy vision • Sudden dizziness • Sudden, severe, unusual headache Treatment Conscious victim • Call for an ambulance • Reassure the victim • Encourage and facilitate the victim to move in to a position of comfort if possible. If they have significant paralysis, they may be unable to move themselves, so you should make them as comfortable as possible where they are. If possible, incline them to the unaffected side (if there is one), as this will help you relieve some symptoms such as a feeling of floating. • Take vitals, history and regular observations Unconscious victim • Call for an ambulance • Assess the victim's ABCs (attempt CPR if not breathing) • Assist the victim into the recovery position on their unaffected side where gravity may assist blood to reach the injured side of the brain, which is below the unaffected side of the brain. Additionally, bleeding (if any) may drain out the ear. First Aid/ Shock Introduction Shock is a range of related medical conditions where the delivery of oxygen and nutrients is insufficient to meet the body's needs. The main carrier of oxygen and nutrients in the body is the blood, so most causes are related to the blood, with the most common first aid consideration being loss of blood. Shock is a life-threatening emergency, it should not be confused with a feeling of extreme surprise - one does not lead to the other. Key types of shock • Hypovolaemic shock - This is caused by the loss of blood from the circulatory system (not necessarily from the body, as it may be the result of internal bleeding) • Cardiogenic shock - This is where the blood is not pumping effectively through the body - usually caused by heart problems, such as a heart attack • Anaphylactic shock - Caused by an allergic reaction that causes air passages to swell, blocking the flow of oxygen, and causing a lack of oxygen in the blood Recognition Signs of shock can range greatly, some common signs are: Early Phases • A rapid pulse • Pale, cold, clammy skin • Sweating Developing phase • Cyanosis - Grey/blue skin, especially in areas such as the lips. Sometimes known as 'bluing' • Weakness and dizziness • Nausea and possibly vomiting • Thirst • Rapid, shallow breathing • Weak, 'thready' pulse Advanced phases • Absence of pulse from the wrist (radial) • Restlessness and aggressiveness • Yawning and gasping for air • Unconsciousness Final phase • Cardiac arrest First Aid/ Obstructed Airway Conscious Victims Abdominal thrusts are used to clear the obstructed airway of a conscious victim. It is an effective life-saving measure in cases of severe airway obstruction. A person performing abdominal thrusts uses their hands to exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm. This compresses the lungs and exerts pressure on any object lodged in the trachea, hopefully expelling it. This amounts to an artificial cough. (The victim of an obstructed airway, having lost the ability to draw air into the lungs, has lost the ability to cough on their own.) Even when performed correctly, abdominal thrusts can injure the person they are performed on. Abdominal thrusts should never be performed on someone who can still cough, breathe, or speak - encourage them to cough instead. Abdominal thrusts are performed only on conscious adult or child victims with a severe airway obstruction Signs of a severe airway obstruction Abdominal thrusts are performed only on conscious adult or child victims with a severe airway obstruction • The person desperately grabs at their neck • The person can not speak or cry out • The person's face turns blue from lack of oxygen Obstructed Airway for Adults & Children Abdominal thrusts are only used on conscious adult or child victims with severe airway obstructions. Before attempting abdominal thrusts, ask the victim "Are you choking?" If the victim can reply verbally, you should not interfere, but encourage the victim to cough. If the victim's airway obstruction is severe, then perform abdominal thrusts: • The rescuer stands behind and to the side of the victim and wraps their arms around the victim's sides, underneath the victim's arms • One hand is made into a fist and placed, thumb side in, flat against the victim's upper abdomen, below the ribs but above the navel • The other hand grabs the fist and directs it in a series of upward thrusts until the object obstructing the airway is expelled • The thrusts should not compress or restrict the ribcage in any way. • If you're not able to compress the victim's diaphragm due to their size or pregnancy, then perform the thrusts at the chest. If the victim loses consciousness, call for an ambulance. They fall - you call Obstructed Airway for Infants For infants, a severe obstruction may be accompanied by a high-pitched, crow-like sound which is not present in adults or children. This is due to the incomplete formation of the infant's airway. Instead of abdominal thrusts, alternate 5 chest thrusts with 5 back blows: • Hold the infant with the head in your hand, and the spine along your forearm and the head below the rest of the body • Compress the chest 5 times as you would for infant CPR • Switch the infant to your other forearm, so their chest is now against the arm • Perform 5 back blows, keeping the infant's head below the rest of the body • Continue until the obstruction is cleared, or the infant goes unconscious Unconscious Victims If a victim has become unconscious as a result of an occluded airway, you should immediately call for assistance from the emergency medical services, and commence a primary assessment, starting with Airway and if required, commence CPR to keep the victim alive. Soft tissue injuries A second-degree thermal burn - notice the blister centre of the burn, and the surrounding redness. First Aid/ Burns Burns are special types of soft-tissue injuries that can damage one or more layers of the skin and underlying tissues. Recognition A second-degree thermal burn - notice the blister centre of the burn, and the surrounding redness. There are 3 degrees of burns: 1. Superficial Burn - First-degree Skin will be dry, red, may swell and will usually be painful. 2. Partial thickness - Second-degree Skin will be red and may swell, usually is painful, has blisters that may open and release a clear fluid. This will make the skin appear wet. 3. Full Thickness - Third-degree May destroy underlying tissues such as fat, bones, nerves, and muscles. Skin may be brown or black and will look charred. Tissue underneath may appear white. May be very painful or painless due to nerve endings being destroyed. Burns may be caused by heat (thermal burns), chemicals (wet or dry), by electricity, or by radiation. Treatment Thermal burns You must stop the burning by removing the person from the source of the burn. Check for any life-threatening conditions by checking the Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Cool the burn with copious amounts of water until the pain is relieved. Cover the burn loosely with a sterile (preferably non-adhesive) dressing. Do not use butter, oils, creams, etc.; they can trap heat and increase risk of infection. They will also need to be cleaned out by the hospital later, which only increases the pain the patient must endure. Also do not use antiseptics that may aggravate sensitive skin. Treat for shock. Burns cripple the body's ability to regulate heat. Ensure the person does not become over-heated or chilled. Aloe vera extract, silverdene (Silver Sulfazdiazine), topical analgaesics, and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or aspirin) are commonly used medications. Consult a doctor before use. Chemical burns Don't do this! • Apply ice or iced water except on small first degree burns. • Touch a burn with anything other than a sterile covering. • Remove adhered clothing. • Try to clean a severe burn. • Break blisters. • Use any kind of ointment on a severe burn. Electrical burns Electrical burns look like third-degree burns, but are not surrounded by first- and second-degree burns. They always come in pairs: an entry wound (smallest) and exit wound (larger). Radiation burns Radiation burns, though typically caused from a nuclear source, could also include ultraviolet radiation in the form of sunburn which should be treated as a thermal burn. Burns caused by a nuclear source, though rare, are still possible. Radiation burns can not be treated by a lay rescuer. Individuals working in high-risk environments for possible radiation exposure are trained in the treatment of radiation burns. The rescuer may unknowingly put himself/herself at risk of radiation exposure by treating someone with a radiation burn. For all nuclear radiation burns, call your local emergency number immediately. Radiation burns also come in the form of snow blindness (or other intense light burns to the retina). Cover the eyes with sterile gauze, Do whatever you can to keep the victim comfortable, monitor ABCs, treat for shock, and keep the victim calm. Critical Burns The following burns require medical attention as soon as possible. They may be life-threatening, disabling, and disfiguring. Call the local emergency number if: • Burns to a child younger than five years old or burns to an elderly person. • The patient is having difficulty breathing. • The burns are on more than one body part. • There are burns to the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. • Burns to the mouth or nose may be signs of burns to the airway. • Any burns resulting from chemicals or electricity. First Aid/ Electrocution Electrocution is a related set of injuries caused by direct contact with live electrical connections. The effects can vary from minor to causing cardiac arrest. Actions and Treatment Caution Before attempting to treat an electrocution victim, ensure they are not still in contact with live electricity. Turn off the power at the main or remove the victim from contact using a non-conducting material, such as a wooden pole. • Be aware of Danger - The clear danger in this situation is the electrical supply. • If the victim is still touching a live electrical source, either turn off the power to the source, or break the victim's contact with it. Find a non-conductive object (wooden broom handles are commonly used) and break the contact between the victim and the source. Should the victim be in contact with downed power lines, do not attempt a rescue. wait for professional rescuers to come and ensure the power lines are no longer live. Bone & joint injuries First Aid/ Musculoskeletal Injuries Sprain or Fracture? Sprains, strains, dislocations, and fractures can all present with the same symptoms. It is very difficult to determine what the injury may be. It is not necessary to know which injury the victim has as the treatment will be the same for all of them. If the patient has any of the following symptoms, you should treat for a possible muscle or skeletal injury. • Deformity at the injury site • Crepitus - A grinding or cracking sound when the affected area is moved (usually accompanied by extreme pain). (Do not test for this! It should be reported by the patient.) • Bruising and swelling • No pulse below injury site • Inability to use the affected body part normally Treatment The treatment for any muscle, bone or joint injury follows the simple acronym "RICE". Rest - Rest is very important for soft tissue injuries, both in the short term and for longer term care. Immobilize - Sprains, strains and dislocations can slinged; fractures should be splinted and slinged. Cold - Ice should be applied periodically, for around 10-20 minutes at a time. You should then take the ice off for around the same time it was on for. In order to avoid problems, always place some fabric between the ice and the skin. Elevation - Where appropriate, the injury should be elevated, as this may help reduce the localized swelling which occurs. Do not elevate if this causes more pain to the victim. A splint and sling applied to the forearm. Note the second triangular bandage immobilizing the arm by holding it against the torso. First Aid/ Immobilization Immobilization The proper method of slinging depends on where the injury occurred on the arm. After applying a sling, ensure circulation to the arm has not been compromised by doing a distal circulation check. Remember also that moving an arm into a position where you can put a sling on it may be painful for the victim. If that is the case, simply immobilize in the position found. You will have to improvise something based on the victim’s position of comfort. The arm sling – for injuries to the forearm A splint and sling applied to the forearm. Note the second triangular bandage immobilizing the arm by holding it against the torso. • Support the injured forearm approximately parallel to the ground with the wrist slightly higher than the elbow. • Place an open triangular bandage between the body and the arm, with its apex towards the elbow. • Extend the upper point of the bandage over the shoulder on the uninjured side. • Bring the lower point up over the arm, across the shoulder on the injured side to join the upper point and tie firmly with a reef knot. • Ensure the elbow is secure by folding the excess bandage over the elbow, securing it with a safety pin. This can be accomplished by using the victim’s shirt or sweater as a sling. Simply pin the bottom hem to their chest using multiple safety pins, going over the arm. This works surprisingly well! Elevated sling – for injuries to the shoulder • Support the victim’s arm with the elbow beside the body and the hand extended towards the uninjured shoulder. • Place an opened triangular bandage over the forearm and hand, with the apex towards the elbow. • Extend the upper point of the bandage over the uninjured shoulder. • Tuck the lower part of the bandage under the injured arm, bring it under the elbow and around the back and extend the lower point up to meet the upper point at the shoulder. • Tie firmly with a reef knot. • Secure the elbow by folding the excess material and applying a safety pin, and then ensure that the sling is tucked under the arm giving firm support. Collar and cuff – for upper arm or rib injuries • Allow the elbow to hang naturally at the side and place the hand extended towards the shoulder on the uninjured side. • Form a clove hitch by forming two loops – one towards you, the other away. • Put the loops together by sliding your hands under the loops and closing with a “clapping” motion. If you can tie a clove hitch, simply tie it on the wrist. • Slide the clove hitch over the hand and gently pull it firmly to secure the wrist. Extend the points of the bandage to either side of the neck, and tie firmly with a reef know. • Allow the arm to hand naturally. • It is especially important for this sling that you ensure that circulation to the hand is not compromised – do distal circulation checks often Femoral fractures The femur is the largest bone in the body, and has a large artery, the femoral artery, directly beside it. Because a mechanism of injury which can fracture the femur is likely to also displace the fracture, it is possible that the femoral artery will be damaged internally. Damage to the femoral artery is likely to cause massive internal bleeding, so it is a major Emergency