by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 10: Equipped for Action!

It’s always important to be prepared & take the right gear to a rally. Some items are important for personal safety and well being and others are needed in case you or someone around you gets in trouble.

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This is a kit from the G20 Protests in Canada The Teddy bear in the image is related to the use of a Teddy Bear Catapult that was first used in 2001 at the Summit of the Americas protest in Canada.

Here is a list of what to bring to a protest:

• A bottle of water or sports drink
• High energy, low-GI snacks (trail mix, museli bars, dried fruit)
• Your usual prescription medicines (3 days worth – so that if you’re arrested you have enough until you are bailed out)
• A camera, smart phone or a note pad (remember we’re ALL Citizen Journalists)
• A spare cell phone (or at least load up a new SIMcard)
• Enough cash to get home, have a meal and/or make a phone call.
• ID (if you plan on getting arrested not carrying ID will only temporarily delay the police in identifying you)
• A bandana or scarf, and eye protection
• Light water proof jacket or sun cream (or both if you live in Melbourne!)
• Next of kin/emergency contact numbers (or a legal contact penned to your arm)

This is a basic guide: each protest kit is personal. These basics will help keep you out on the streets longer to protest those dastardly forces which would prefer you to stay home & accept to status quo.

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 09: The Art of Wearing Gloves!

Snot, blood, puke, pepper spray. You sure as hell don’t want any of it on you!

PPEs

To protect yourself & your patient from blood born diseases (such as Hepatitis B & C, HIV) it’s  important to use plastic gloves. If you have no gloves a small plastic bag or cling-wrap will make do. Some people are allergic to latex (so try to get consent before touching).

Some good advice when wearing gloves:

  • Put gloves on when approaching a casualty but don’t walk around with them on.
  • Don’t wear gloves when not treating someone. It may send out confusing signals to the crowd who might panic!
  • Change gloves after every patient
  • Take gloves off when going through your kit. If you need to get something while caring for a casualty ask your medic buddy to get it.
  • Dispose of soiled gloves sensibly. You can roll them up inside out to contain any body juice you may have touched.

Use alcohol gel to clean your hands between treating injuries (even if you wore gloves). It is the evaporation of alcohol gel that kills bacteria (so rub and allow to dry for at least 30 seconds). If your hands are visibly soiled use running water & soap to disinfect.

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 08: Grounding Yourself

Before entering a challenging situation like a Direct Action or a Protest you need to GROUND yourself.

Grounding helps you act with a level head & stay collected. Poor decisions and bad outcomes happen when you dash into a situation without preparing yourself. Grounding may only take a few seconds but is well worth performing as you approach a challenging scene.

Some Grounding techniques include:

Grounding

• Slow your thoughts

• Take a breath: Exhale (imagine your breath sinking into the ground)

• Count to five

• OR say a prayer

• OR pull on protective gloves

• OR tie back your hair (whatever ritual works for you)

• And WALK to the scene … DON’T run.

 It doesn’t matter what you choose to do to ground as long as it works for you and helps you remain calm and collected in the midst of confronting situations.

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-Tip 07: The Green Cross

MelbSMC medics wear a Green Cross in solidarity with the 50 year old global Street Medic movement. It denotes we are trained in a form of radical first-aid designed to support social & environmental justice protesters.

“First Aid is the immediate care of an injured or suddenly sick casualty rendered until such time as more appropriate care arrives.”

The aims of First Aid are to:

  • Preserve life: this includes the life of the casualty, fellow protestors; the street medic’s and even agents of authority.

  • Protect from further harm: Assess the protest scene is safe as possible and look out for any potential hazards. Avoid harmful interventions.

  • Prevent the condition worsening: By providing appropriate treatment.

  • Promote recovery: Act quickly, provide comfort and reassurance and GET HELP!

Street Medics first-aid skills and ideology also include:

  • The principles of “Know Your Limits” and “Do No Harm” which kick in when the casualty needs assistance beyond that which can be found in our first aid kits.

  • “Confidentiality” and “Consent”. We always remember to obtain consent for treatment and further courses of action, whilst understanding not all protesters may want to go to (or trust) hospitals.

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 06: Scene Management

Most people want to help if an injury occurs in a large crowd.

This aspect of human nature & community needs to be celebrated; but too many well-meaning protesters will only get in the way of assessing the injury and administering first aid (as well as compromising the injured person’s right to confidentiality) … SO if an injury does occur MelbSMC may:

  • Ask you for room so we can get to the casualty..

    A Privacy Circle in Action

    A Privacy Circle in Action

  • Enlist bystanders to form a circle (facing outwards) to give the casualty privacy & so you can watch out for further hazards). This is called a Privacy Circle

  • Give other protesters roles (phone, point of contact, runner, look-out)

  • Ask you to identify and designate someone with a mobile phone to standby in case we need to call emergency services.

First Aid is NOT about consensus.

Street Medics will request your assistance firmly and politely – after all, there is a person who needs help and we don’t have time for another political meeting.

 

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 05: The Buddy System

buddy_system1You should always attend a protest with 2 to 3 people you know and trust …  stick with them all day.

Protesters have been using the Buddy System for decades now because:

  • It’s safer (you’ve got each other back);
  • You can share supplies;
  • You can assess each other’s mental & emotional state if things go haywire;
  • You can get a second opinion;
  • (Street Medics) One person can interact with the casualty whilst the other interacts with the crowd;
  • You know what medications your buddy is on & where they are stored
  • You’ll be able to acknowledge your buddy’s warning signs, symptoms & triggers if things become stressful (useful in avoiding Critical Incident Stress developing into PTSD down the line.)
  • You’ll know what to do if one of you gets arrested.
  • You can debrief together afterwards.

Being a Buddy means you never leave your partner(s) field of vision but, if you do get split up during the action be certain to have a back-up plan or meeting place in mind so you can hook up again later.

Best practice is to work with an AFFINITY GROUP.

Please, tell us about your experiences with the Buddy System? Or Share some useful Buddying tips in the comment section below …

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 04: Common Protest Complaints

The majority of demonstrations pass without complication or injury. General problems our Street Medics get called on to treat are:

• Sickness or fainting (due to dehydration, sun exposure or pre-existing medical problems).

• Ankle and wrist sprains (so consider wearing supportive shoes and try to prevent your hand being grabbed & twisted)

• Panic attacks (always know where your buddy is and/or remove yourself from challenging situations you think are beyond your scope)

• Breathing problems (always pack your medications/remove yourself from triggers)

• Trauma such as head injuries and damage from physical blows (such as the situation in the captions below). Remove yourself from reach of aggressors/ keep it non-violent.

• Irritating substances used to ‘disperse’ crowds such as Pepper Spray causing eye and respiratory problems (call for help and follow Street Medic instructions for irrigating eyes with LAW spray)

• Nerve injury caused by handcuffs (remember getting arrested is largely a choice)

 

A Kashmiri student protester lies on the ground after fainting, as police used batons to disperse a protest in Srinagar September 27, 2012. Indian police in Srinagar on Thursday used batons to disperse a protest by female Kashmiri nursing students outside the secretariat complex. The students were protesting against the results of their third year examinations, in which most of the students failed.

A Kashmiri student protester lies on the ground after fainting, as police used batons to disperse a protest in Srinagar September 27, 2012. Indian police in Srinagar on Thursday used batons to disperse a protest by female Kashmiri nursing students outside the secretariat complex. The students were protesting against the results of their third year examinations, in which most of the students failed.

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 03: Being a Street Medic

Street Medic

MelbSMC have first-aid training & carry medical kits BUT you are embracing the Street Medic ethos too if you attend protests and … :

  • Keep calm and constantly read the crowd for potential trouble & injuries.

  • If you & your designated protest ‘buddy‘ always LOOK OUT for each other.

  • If you bring your own water. Street Medics are not water bearers for the revolution!

  • If you a prepare and carry LAW spray and are willing to help victims of Pepper Spray.

  • Are prepared to help lift or carry to safety fellow protesters who get injured.

  • Understand that a word of comfort goes further than any length of bandage. A simple “are you okay?” to a stranger, a newbie or someone showing signs of panic strengths our protest community no end.

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-Tip 02: Calling for help

The single most important skill a Street Medic can possess is being able to effectively call for help. In Australia Dial 000 or 112 (on a mobile for global positioning) Call-Emergency-Services

Clearly state you need an ambulance.

Give your name and/or the phone number of a protester willing to be point of contact.

Location of casualty  City, street and points of access not blocked by crowds or police.

Succinctly explain what happened? Answer the operators questions calmly & clearly.

Make certain you state how many people have been injured and what injuries they have.

Hang up AFTER the operator … this makes certain they have all the necessary information.

by ·Comments Off on Street Medic Pro-tip 01: Preparation

Street medics are not a replacement for emergency services. We give care to protestors when needed but emphasize PREPARATION is the key to any successful & safe action. So before leaving the house to demonstrate for a Better World consider:

-WEARING CLOTHES YOU CAN EASILY MOVE IN

 

-COVERING YOUR SKIN (long sleeves & pants for limbs & possibly a mask – or a simple scarf – for your mouth & nose)

 

-WEARING SUPPORTIVE & COMFORTABLE SHOES YOU CAN RUN IN

 

-CHECKING THE WEATHER FORECAST (& maybe pack a light waterproof if needed)

 

-TYING BACK LONG HAIR (so it can’t be grabbed)

 

-CARRYING SOME HIGH-ENERGY SNACKS

 

-REMOVING (OR TAPING) JEWELLERY (so it can’t be ripped off or snagged)

 

-REMOVING CONTACT LENSES (because chemicals can be trapped & cause eye damage)

 

– ALWAYS BRING WATER (to hydrate and to irrigate eyes & wounds)

 

AND BE PREPARED TO HELP OUT YOUR FELLOW ACTIVISTS IF NEEDED!
 

Chris Shaw, working as a street medic, surveys a crowd of anti-Olympic activists in Victoria on the first day of the torch relay.

Chris Shaw, working as a street medic, surveys a crowd of anti-Olympic activists in Victoria on the first day of the torch relay.