First Aid for Students and Staff

General first aid procedures for staff and students

Apply basic first aid with DRSABCD:

• Danger – always check for any danger to you, any bystanders and then the injured student. Staff should not put themselves in danger when assisting an injured or sick student
• Response – check if the student is conscious by seeing if they will respond when you talk to them, touch their hand or squeeze their shoulder
• Send for help – call 000
• Airway – check the student’s airway is clear and they are breathing
• Breathing – check for breathing (look for chest movements, listen for air coming through the student’s mouth or nose or feel for breathing by placing a hand on the lower part of the student’s chest)
• CPR by trained staff – if the student is unconscious and not breathing, apply CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
• Defibrillator – if the student is unconscious and not breathing, apply an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available if trained to do so. Some AEDs are not suitable for children so ensure the device is checked for suitability.

Important note: Staff must only apply first aid in line with their skills and level of training.

Further information is available on the First aid basics and DRSABCD website (Better Health Channel).

Where there is a medical emergency

Staff must take emergency action without waiting for parent or carer consent. Delays in these circumstances could compromise safety. Staff must:

• immediately contact emergency medical services (call 000)
• apply first aid until assistance arrives
• notify parents or carers once action has been taken
• notify the Department’s Incident Support and Operations Centre (ISOC) on 1800 126 126 and make an IRIS alert.

Use of ice packs

When using an ice pack to treat a minor injury for staff or students, such as a bump or bruise do not apply the ice pack directly to skin and remove it if pain or discomfort occurs. Use a cold compress (towel or cloth rinsed in cold water) as an alternative.

Do not use an ice pack when an injury causes a nose bleed, a cold compress can be used instead

Do not use an ice pack and (or) cold compress in the following circumstances, seek medical help or call an ambulance:

• loss of consciousness, even if only briefly
• a less than alert conscious state
• suspicion of a fracture
• suspicion of a spinal injury
• damage to eyes or ears
• penetration of the skin
• deep open wounds.

Where a student or staff member is feeling unwell

Unwell students or staff members should not attend school. If a child feels unwell at school, schools must contact the student’s family (ensure emergency contact details are up to date) and/or seek medical assistance.

Where there is an identified health care need

First aid for students with identified health care needs must be explained in their Student Health Support Plan (DOCX) , Anaphylaxis Management Plan or Asthma Care Plan, or relevant health care plan. Refer to Health Care Needs.

When students have a not-for-resuscitation order (NFR) as part of their palliative care to manage a deteriorating and life-threatening condition, the first aid response must be documented in the Student Health Support Plan (which should include detail of when an ambulance should be called).

It is not the role of the school and staff to make a decision about medical prognosis or to determine whether the point of the not-for-resuscitation order has been reached.

Where the parent, carer or student has EAL needs

Schools must offer interpreting and translation services to parents or carers who have limited or no English skills to communicate key information about their child. This includes after first aid or a medical emergency. It is also recommended that an injured or unwell student with limited or no English skills be provided with interpreting and translation services to support appropriate first aid care, particularly if the cause of injury or care required is not evident from witness accounts or visible harm. Refer to Interpreting and Translation Services and EAL Support and Funding.

Where there is a head injury and suspected concussion

Following a head injury or knock to the head, children and adolescents may be more susceptible to concussion and take longer to recover. The Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (PDF) (that should be available in the first aid kit) can be used to assist identification of suspected concussion. It is not designed to diagnose concussion.

If there is any concern or suspicion of concussion, remove the student immediately from practice or play – 'if in doubt, sit them out'.

Red flags – call an ambulance

Observable signs – take appropriate action

Make contact with parents and carers

The Concussion Recognition Tool 6 is used to assist with the identification of a suspected concussion.

• If concussion is suspected, the school:
  • must contact the parent or carer and ask them to collect the student from school
  • must recommend that the parent or carer seek a medical assessment, even if the symptoms resolve.
• If concussion is not suspected, the school:
  • must contact and inform the parent or carer of the injury, including that a concussion is not suspected based on use of the Concussion Recognition Tool 6
  • must tell the parent or carer to seek a medical assessment if signs or symptoms of concussion develop over the next few days at home
  • can allow the parent or carer to collect the student from school
  • must be alert to any subtle symptoms or signs afterwards at school that can suggest concussion.

Following a confirmed concussion, schools may need to make reasonable adjustments, guided by the student’s treating team, including:

• return to learning and return to sport plans
• modifying school programs to include more regular breaks, rests and increased time to complete tasks.

For more information about concussion, including advice that can be shared with parents and carers, refer to:

• Royal Children's Hospital: Head injury – general advice
• Royal Children's Hospital: Head injury – return to school and sport