6 minute read
EMPOWER YOURSELF
Judy Bartlett RN educates the community with lifesaving skills
BY SHARI HALL
A fun birthday celebration with mates took a dark turn when, in a moment of revelry, the 18-yearold guest of honour accidentally cut himself severely with a Swiss army knife he had been gifted by his best friend. In a chaotic scene, his friends, in a state of panic and intoxication, attempted to treat the injury by holding his hand under running water as they watched the blood swirl down the drain. Unbeknownst to them, the severity of the cut required immediate and correct first aid.
Hearing a bang at her bedroom door and the cry of “Ms. Bartlett, he’s cut himself really bad!” Judy Bartlett, Registered Nurse, intervened. Immediately switching from startled mum to highly trained and calm first responder, she instructed and showed the boys how to apply direct pressure to her son’s wounds, how to lie him down to elevate his legs, and how to use a cold cloth for compression. This is only one of hundreds of scenarios Judy can share to illustrate the critical need for teenagers and those around them to be equipped with essential first aid knowledge, especially in situations involving alcohol and injuries.
In the realm of healthcare and first aid, certain individuals stand out not only for their professional expertise but for their dedication to educating communities. Judy Bartlett, RN owner of Rapid Response First Aid and iCare Training, is one such individual. Her journey is marked by a passion for helping people prepare for the unexpected, passing on lifesaving skills learned throughout her 30 years of extensive experience in healthcare and education.
Specialised Courses And Teenage First Aid
Judy's commitment goes beyond standard first aid courses. As a mother, she saw a need to offer specialised in-depth training to parents, delving into the nuances of baby and child illness and injury. Additionally, as her children grew and she witnessed firsthand the risks and dangers unique to the adolescent population, she incorporated courses specifically designed to address the challenges teenagers face, covering topics such as drug exposure, consequences of alcohol intoxication and head injuries. She can vividly recall numerous personal experiences that would leave anyone saying to themselves, “If they only knew what to do!”
Teen Hospitality Worker Tragedy
Judy recounts a tragic incident here on the Sunshine Coast involving a 16-year-old working at a local fast-food chain. Given the routine task of cutting up the cardboard boxes for the skip bin, the teen accidentally cut his inside leg with a Stanley knife. Despite yelling out and initially appearing nonchalant, the severity of the injury became apparent too late. His colleagues, assuming it was a minor cut, continued serving customers, only realising the seriousness of the situation 20 minutes later when they discovered he had fallen unconscious and died from an arterial bleed.
Quad Bike Accident
Judy recalls another incident involving two 18-year-olds working on a cattle farm. Early one morning as the sun was rising and the birds were singing, the young men mounted their quad bikes to gather the cattle for milking. One of them spun out of control and suffered a severe head injury, but the other, lacking first aid knowledge, panicked. With the best of intentions, he dragged his injured friend back to the farmhouse without immediate medical intervention. The lack of basic first aid skills in this scenario resulted in life-altering consequences, leaving the young man a paraplegic for life.
Seizure In The Air
Adding to the spectrum of her experiences, Judy shares a compelling scenario involving her daughter, who works as a flight attendant. On a routine flight, a pregnant woman appeared to suffer from nausea related to motion sickness. The situation escalated rapidly when the woman suddenly experienced a massive seizure. In her role as a flight attendant, her daughter faced the daunting challenge of managing a medical emergency mid-air. Drawing upon her mother's teachings and her own first aid training, she requested immediate assistance from her senior flight crew and any medical professionals on board, while simultaneously assisting the distressed woman and reassuring concerned fellow passengers.
Snake Bite Dangers
Living on the Sunshine Coast, snake encounters do occur. Judy warns against common misconceptions in dealing with snake bites, stressing the importance of immobility and the application of a pressure bandage rather than wasting time running home to seek help or attempting to catch the snake for identification. Her insights underscore the need for practical knowledge in managing snake bites, dispelling myths that can lead to delayed response and worsened outcomes.
Empowering Communities Through First Aid Training
Educating the community is the number one priority for Judy and her team at Rapid Response First Aid. Their teaching extends to schools, youth groups, youth homes, community centres, and mums and bubs groups. They can provide on-site training to businesses and workplaces whose staff need certification and renewals for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid. Customised courses can be designed for individuals or groups. Face-to-face courses occur at their new state-of-the-art teaching facility in Maroochydore. Online shortened courses are available for busy professionals and students. Corporate and mining industry group training, with an emphasis on practical skills, fire safety and emergency response, is aided by her colleague who is an expert in mine rescue, safety at heights and confined space training.
Her goal is to instil not only knowledge but also a sense of urgency in handling unforeseen circumstances and emergencies. She delves into the psychological aspect, highlighting the importance of staying calm, asking relevant questions, and eliminating panic through thorough preparation. Mental Health First Aid courses are also offered with Judy and her team at Rapid Response.
“It’s important to arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can so you feel equipped and empowered to act,” Judy says. “The more you know and the more you practice, the less you feel panic and the more automatic your potentially lifesaving actions become.”
Judy’s commitment to imparting practical, scenario-specific skills, especially to teenagers and young adults, underscores the vital role first aid plays in our communities. As we navigate the unpredictable nature of life, Judy advocates for preparedness, awareness, and the life-saving potential of first aid training for all.
