After an ambulance has been called, continue to perform CPR if required and maintain the safety of yourself, the victim and bystanders until the ambulance paramedics accept responsibility for them. Do not stop CPR when they arrive.
As part of your handover, you should provide a concise summary of relevant details known about the victim, the incident and treatment provided as this information aids further treatment decisions. An incident report can assist you with this. These are legal documents and may be required to be shown as evidence in a court of law.
The mnemonic IMIST AMBO is used by ambulance officers in many states and can assist lifesavers in the delivery of a clear, concise and structured handover.
Information about the health of a victim must be kept confidential. Only authorised people, such as the patrol captain and club executive officers should be able to see it. Giving away personal information without the victim’s approval is unethical, and in some cases may be illegal.
All lifesavers involved in a resuscitation incident should report to their patrol captain after the victim has been handed over to take part in a debrief. Refer to the Safety and Wellbeing module for more information on the importance of debriefing and mental health following a critical incident while on patrol.