Saving Lives in Minutes: The Importance of Safety Stories

Dr. Aleks Krotoski, an award-winning international broadcaster, author, and academic once said: “Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals, and moral compasses.” She meant to highlight how stories serve as a way to retain information, learn how to act, and understand ethical principles.

This is true in many aspects of life, and especially in learning.

As part of our Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) compliance training program, Skillsoft has developed a series of Safety Stories that include real-life accounts and expert insights on various safety topics. 

Safety Stories feature real people sharing their experiences with safety incidents at work. The stories cover a wide range of topics, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), toxic exposure, electrical safety, and ladder safety. Safety Stories are designed for both supervisors and employees and can be used to promote a culture of safety. 

In the world of first responders, the importance of knowing how to approach CPR cannot be overstated. Scott, a seasoned first responder, shared a poignant story during his interview for the course “Safety Stories: Bloodborne Pathogen Awareness.” His narrative underscores the critical need for proper training and the use of protective barriers when performing CPR.

Scott began by recounting a tragic incident involving a deputy in Orange County, Florida. The deputy responded to a call about an unresponsive three-month-old child. Upon arrival, he identified the need for CPR and, without a barrier, proceeded to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 

Unfortunately, the child had vomited, and the deputy ingested some of it, leading to his death from the same bacterial infection that had afflicted the infant. This heartbreaking story highlights the risks first responders face and the vital importance of using protective equipment.

Scott emphasized, “It's our job to learn from them, what they did right, what they did wrong so that they can save others.” This deputy's sacrifice has undoubtedly saved many lives, including Scott's, by reinforcing the necessity of using barriers during CPR. 

In his training sessions, Scott often asks participants if they would perform mouth-to-mouth CPR without a barrier. The responses vary, but the story of the deputy serves as a powerful reminder of the potential consequences of not using protective equipment.

The importance of scene safety and preparedness is a recurring theme in Scott's teachings. He recounted another incident where he responded to a domestic violence call involving a severe injury. Despite the urgency, he took the time to put on gloves before administering first aid. “It took me three seconds to put gloves on,” he said, illustrating the minimal time required to ensure personal safety.

Scott's experiences underscore the necessity of being prepared and having the right equipment. He stressed that agencies must provide their responders with the necessary tools, such as gloves and CPR masks, to perform their duties safely. “It's about you being prepared, your agency being prepared,” he noted.

These types of stories serve as a stark reminder of the importance of bloodborne pathogen training and proper training and the use of protective barriers. Scott's message is clear: “Don't add victims. Don't be another person lost because you jumped before you should have.” By taking a few extra seconds to ensure safety, first responders can protect themselves while saving others, honoring the sacrifices of those who came before them.

Regular training in bloodborne pathogen safety and CPR is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that rescuers are proficient in using personal protective equipment (PPE) and CPR devices correctly, which is essential for responding to medical emergencies effectively and safely. 

As Scott emphasized, “It only takes a few seconds to put on gloves, grab that CPR mask, or put on a face shield.” This quick action can make a significant difference in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases between the rescuer and the victim.

Training also helps rescuers become familiar with engineering controls, best safety practices, and different types of PPE. Regular refresher training and practice ensures that rescuers can use them confidently and efficiently in emergency situations.

Required refresher training intervals help ensure that first responders stay updated on the latest guidelines and techniques and maintain their skills at a high level. But many organizations and training programs suggest more frequent refreshers, especially for high-risk professions. 

And that’s where Safety Stories come in. Regular training, practice sessions, and drills can help reinforce key safety lessons – like the importance of using protective barriers and PPE – and ensure that employees are always prepared to act safely and effectively in emergency situations.

See how Safety Stories fit into Skillsoft’s full collection of EHS Compliance Shorts. Read about them here.