Abstract
Aim: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are supported by other services which were created by government to help people in dire need. These services provide treatment to those in need of urgent medical care. Acute medical care (or professional first aid) is a set of actions performed by paramedic to save those in danger. Paramedic is entitled to following: perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with or without equipment, with oxygen administration due to Automated External Defibrillator’s (AED) indications, stop internal haemorrhages, treat wounds, manage fractures or dislocations, protect against hypothermia and overheating, provide preliminary anti shock treatment by placing the casualty in the proper position, provide thermal protection of casualties, use passive oxygen administration, evacuate people in need of urgent medical care, provide mental support for casualties, conduct preliminary medical selection. In a situation when both EMS and supportive services arrive on the spot the latter perform their assigned duties as well as they assist EMS rescuers’ actions. The speed of rescue operation is crucial for the survival of casualties with severe injuries. Structured patients evaluation and thorough knowledge of rescue procedures can guarantee that acute medical care has crucial influence on casualty’s survival chances. The rescuers’ cooperation as well as the emergency services cooperation is very important aspect in rescue operations because some actions are done simultaneously. The tactic sequence in medical rescue aims at establishing the order of actions performed by paramedics from the moment they arrive on the spot until they report back to Chief Rescue Coordinator. Assignment of acute medical care duties influences efficiency of rescue procedures, meaning the time in which casualty is given help. When dealing with first aid one has to bear in mind that all rescue actions must provide help as fast as possible and life saving procedures are prior to health saving procedures. Vast knowledge of rescue procedures and constant drills influence acute medical care actions’ quality and speed. What is more paramedics who know rescue procedures very well, will act calmly and decisively. Such behaviour affects casualty’s well-being and is an important aspect of mental support.
Keywords: paramedic, acute medical care, assessment, casualty, procedures, consciousness, breathing, circulation, (circulatory) shock, National Fire-Fighting and Rescue