| ? posted by angel of death |
| I have only one thing to add. Remind everyone that the best place to check for circulation is the throat right next to the adams apple. Chest compressions on a still beating heart may do more damage than good. |
Not true. Lay rescuers (as opposed to healthcare professionals) are now advised not to check for a pulse. This is because they will take far too long and will be unreliable. Chest compressions to a still-beating heart are unlikely to cause serious harm, but failing to give them to a stopped heart is certain death.
But thanks for giving your input, I appreciate it 
Gwil - thanks for the detailed feedback I agree that the document is not worded effectively for a basic first-aid guide. But that isn't its purpose.
| ? quote: |
| No offence, but as it stands it is far from straight forward - no doubt some people can understand the language and terminology used, but you cannot guarantee everyone will click with your style of writing and excessive over modification of words.
When making a document like this, you have to think about the target audience, the information (and more importantly which bits are "vital" knowledge). |
Exactly. The target audience are all very intelligent people with wide vocabularies and good knowledge of basic first-aid principles. Their training has also included elements of advanced first-aid. I am not going to repeat everything that they already know - that will bloat the document and make it less likely to be studied.
I'm aware of the increasing emphasis on simplicity and clarity in instructional docmentation. I'm also aware of the elements of English courses that teach this. I think on the whole it is a very good idea, but it can become too single-minded. I've recently had to read a lot of this sort of stuff (for my sports coaching qualification) and to be honest I find it very tiresome and hard to digest. Apt use of "sophisticated" vocabulary is a better way to communicate, provided that your audience understands the vocabulary. I recognise it's necessary and desirable to "dumb down" when instructing a very broad audience, however.
The purpose of this document is not to teach people first-aid. They already know that. It's intended to fill a gap in their knowledge - an area where they are unsure. There's no point in me rehashing D.R.A.B.C. etc.
| ? quote: |
| TBH if it was me writing the document, or I had a free hand to whip the editing axe on it, a layout overhaul is needed as well. these things may seem like a passing though - perhaps sections/questions to head up the different areas. |
Now there I think you may be right. I want to retain all the information in the document, but I think I should start the document with clear guidelines before offering the detailed medical explanation. That way, those who like to follow rules will happily read the guidelines and understand them; those who like to question rules will read the justifications and accept them.
i assume all your chums know it?
An LED would be a good investment. They last for 40-100 hours on a single battery.
