First Aid

First aid requirements are defined by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act( Regulation 1101).

Medical Emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency, call Campus Safety Services at 613-520-4444 or ext 4444 immediately. CSS staff are trained to address emergency situations and will coordinate with Ottawa Emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance).  Once called, an officer and the Carleton University Student Emergency Response Team (CUSERT) will be dispatched to the scene. If you are able to do so, you should perform first aid until their arrival.

It is strongly recommended that you call 613-520-4444 rather than calling 9-1-1 if you are on campus. If 9-1-1 is called for an emergency at Carleton, they will contact Carleton’s Campus Safety Services to coordinate their arrival. CSS meets the ambulance at the campus entrance and escorts the ambulance to the scene quickly and efficiently.

By contacting CSS first, you can ensure that someone is on scene to help as quickly as possible!

Unsure of the number to call? When in doubt, call 9-1-1.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

An AED is a device that automatically analyzes heart rhythms and advises the operator to deliver an electric current if the heart is in ventricular fibrillation, an otherwise fatal rhythm. No special training is required to operate an AED. All of Carleton’s AEDs deliver verbal instructions and audible signals to guide the user though the steps.

As part of the Ottawa Paramedic Service’s Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) program, Carleton University now has AEDs across campus, with a unit in almost every building.  They are installed in:

See HERE for the detailed AED locations on campus.

Designated First Aider Program

The Designated First Aider Program assures that a sufficient number of people are trained and comfortable providing first aid on campus. A list of each building’s Designated First Aiders is posted on Environmental Health and Safety Boards along with their office and extension.

• Designated First Aider Guidelines

Becoming a Designated First Aider

A full-day Emergency First Aid and CPR training given by a 3rd party instructor, is provided on a regular basis by Environmental Health and Safety for full-time continuing employees. Funding is generally provided through the employee’s department.

Administering First Aid

Designated First Aiders are responsible for administering first aid to individuals requiring assistance on campus. However, the safety and well-being of the First Aider or the casualty (i.e. the recipient) should never be put at risk.

After administering first aid, the First Aider should encourage the injured person to report the incident to their supervisor and/or submit an injury report through CU WorkSafe. Details of the first aid treatment administered may be requested, so it is good practice to take notes shortly after the incident using the First Aid Treatment Form.

First Aider Safety

The first rule of providing first aid is “Be Safe!”. If a first aider puts themselves in harm’s way, they can very quickly become in need of first aid themselves!

Hazards

Always check your surroundings to ensure that there are no active hazards. If there are, you will need to either remove the hazard (if it is safe to do so), or prevent others from entering the area until first responders arrive.  For example, if a person looks like they have sustained burns, there may be an unknown electrical hazard present. However, each case will need to be evaluated with the evidence available.

Exposure to bodily fluids

Wear gloves to limit your exposure to blood borne pathogens!  As soon as possible after first aid treatment has been administered, gloves should be removed and disposed of, and all blood and bodily fluid should be carefully washed off with hot soapy water.

To clean surfaces soiled by blood, the surface should be washed with a disinfecting solution, such as bleach in a dilution of 1:10. Gloves should be worn and disposable materials such as paper towels used.

Blood stained clothing, cloths and other cleansing material should be rinsed out in cold water using gloves and then laundered normally. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to removed residual stains.

Blood stained disposable articles, including gloves, should be placed in a plastic bag, closed tightly and placed in the regular garbage.

First Aid Kits & Supplies

University departments are required to keep and maintain first aid kits. Kits must be located so that they are easily accessible for prompt treatment at all times.

As a minimum, first aid kits must contain the following inventory :

• A current edition of a standard St. John Ambulance First Aid Manual
• 1 card of safety pins
• 24 adhesive dressings individually wrapped
• 12 sterile gauze pads, 3 inches square
• 4 rolls of 2 – inch gauze bandage
• 4 rolls of 4 – inch gauze bandage
• 4 sterile surgical pads suitable for pressure dressings, individually wrapped
• 6 triangular bandages
• 2 rolls of splint padding
• 1 roll-up splint
• 2 pairs of nitrile gloves
• 1 roll of waterproof non-latex tape
• 1 disposable one way valve CPR mask
• 1 pair of dressing scissors

In addition to the above, first aid kits must have the following:

• A WSIB poster known as Form 82 applied to the front cover
• An inspection record card (kept inside)

First aid kits must be inspected on a quarterly basis by the supervisor or designate and replacement supplies must be purchased by the department as required. A first aid kit inventory and inspection card for each first aid kit must be kept in the kit and must be signed by the person completing the inspection.

Purchasing a First Aid Kit

First aid kits and restocking supplies are available through Science Stores. To order or arrange the purchase of a kit or supplies, contact ext 3526 or 3854.

Naloxone Kits

Naloxone is a potentially life-saving treatment that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.  These kits are available for anyone in the community to use and are alarmed so that others in the area are notified. Campus Safety Services should be contacted to provide further assistance and can be reached at 613-520-4444 or extension 4444 from a campus phone. Carleton University has installed 19 Naloxone boxes across campus.

See HERE for the detailed Naloxone box locations on campus.

For additional resources, please visit

• Naloxone Care for information on getting trained and obtaining a kit
  • Video from Naloxone Care to provide an overview on what naloxone is, how it is used, and how to better understand opioids and overdoses
• RespectRX Pharmacy for information on what pharmacy locations provide kits
• National Overdose Response Service for information on the overdose prevention hotline