Required first-aid equipment at facilities

• AED
• Cervical collars (paediatric and adult)
• Water-rescue immobilisation board
• Vacuum splints, Kramer splints
• Pocket mask, BVM (adult and paediatric)
• Oxygen cylinder + flow regulator
• Mechanical aspirator
• OPAs sizes 2, 3, 4
• O₂ masks (simple, with reservoir for adults and children)
• Nasal cannula
• Suction catheters
• Bandages, gauze, splints, foils, rescue scissors

Oxygen delivery devices

• NASAL CANNULA: 1–6 L/min → up to ~40% O₂. Only if patient breathes through nose effectively.
• SIMPLE MASK: 4–10 L/min → 35–60% O₂
• MASK WITH RESERVOIR: 10–15 L/min → 60–95% O₂. Reservoir bag must stay at least half full.
• BVM with O₂ reservoir: 10–15 L/min during ventilation

O₂ safety

• Cylinder on solid base, protected
• NEVER use lubricants on O₂ equipment
• NEVER near open flame
• Regular service of cylinders and valves

Pocket mask

Plastic mask with one-way valve and filter. Place over nose and mouth. Pinch with thumbs and index, three remaining fingers under jaw to keep airway open. 1-second breaths via mouthpiece, watch chest rise. Can connect O₂ at 15 L/min.

Bag-valve-mask (BVM)

• Choose mask size: adult #5 (small adult #3-4), child #2, infant #1
• BVM size: adult 1500–2000 ml, child 1000 ml, infant 500 ml
• Mask grip: thumb + index forming a "C", three fingers under jaw to lift it
• Squeeze bag for 1 second — chest rises
• O₂ at 10–15 L/min via reservoir attachment
• Common errors: poor mask seal, incorrect airway position, wrong tidal volume

Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)

• Size: from corner of mouth to the angle of the jaw, OR earlobe to corner of mouth
• Insert with concave side toward the palate, then ROTATE 180° as you advance
• For children/infants: do NOT rotate — use a tongue depressor and insert directly with concave down
• Remove if gag reflex returns
• Useful for unresponsive trauma patients where head-tilt is contraindicated

AED — automated external defibrillator

• Two types: automatic (delivers shock automatically) and semi-automatic (you press the shock button)
• Pad placement: right side under collarbone + left mid-axillary line
• Alternative: front-back if pads might touch (small chest, pacemaker)
• Dry the chest before pad placement
• Do not place over breasts, stickers, or pacemaker
• Paediatric pads / paediatric mode for under 8s
• After "shock advised": "Everyone clear!" → press button → resume CPR immediately

Pulse oximeter

Clip-on sensor on a finger. Normal SpO₂: above 94%. Chronic lung disease patients: 88–92% may be normal. Inaccurate readings if skin is cold, wet, dirty, damaged, or poor circulation.

Cervical collar

• Sized: distance from lower side of neck to lower edge of chin in neutral position
• Always TWO rescuers: one holds C-spine manually, the other sizes and applies
• Place rear part first, then front under chin, fasten the strap
• Patient must be able to breathe, speak, open mouth normally
• A cervical collar is NEVER enough alone — always combined with backboard

Water immobilisation board

Buoyant; concave upper surface; coloured straps; for spinal patient extraction from water and as a long board on land. Length 183 cm, max 182 kg.