Medical Emergency Scenario for Security Guards (Canada)

A person waiting for the elevator suddenly falls to the lobby floor and does not get up. A few people start to gather. A cleaning cart and a wet floor sign are right beside the person.

1. Take a quick look at the scene for hazards, such as the wet floor and the cart, then go to the person.
   Why?

   Best practice. Correct. First aid training teaches you to check the scene before you approach: is it safe, are there hazards, what happened, and is there someone who can help?

2. Run straight to the person without looking around.
   Why?

   Acceptable. Moving fast is good, but checking the scene first protects you from becoming a second patient. It takes only a few seconds.

3. Stay at the desk for a minute to see if the person gets up on their own.
   Why?

   Unsafe or not allowed. Waiting wastes time that may be critical. A person who collapses and does not respond needs help and a call to 911 right away.

The person does not respond when you tap their shoulder and speak loudly. You check for breathing for 5 to 10 seconds and see only an occasional gasp.

1. Point to one bystander and tell them to call 911, ask another to bring the AED from the wall, and start CPR.
   Why?

   Best practice. Correct. An occasional gasp is not normal breathing, so care for the person as if they are not breathing. When others are present, have someone call 911 and get the AED while you start CPR. For an unresponsive person, the law assumes you have permission to help.

2. Call 911 yourself and stay on the phone for several minutes before starting CPR.
   Why?

   Acceptable. Calling 911 is essential. But with bystanders nearby, you can give that job to someone else so that CPR starts sooner.

3. Decide the person is breathing because you saw a gasp, and wait for them to wake up.
   Why?

   Unsafe or not allowed. An occasional gasp is a reflex, not normal breathing. Treat the person as not breathing: call 911, get the AED and start CPR.

A coworker arrives with the AED. You are doing CPR. More people are gathering, and some are filming with their phones.

1. Turn on the AED and follow its prompts, make sure no one touches the person during a shock, and ask your coworker to keep the crowd back.
   Why?

   Best practice. Well done. Whenever you give CPR, you should also use an AED if one is available. Giving crowd control to a coworker lets you keep caring for the person.

2. Stop CPR to go and move the crowd back yourself.
   Why?

   Unsafe or not allowed. Once you start CPR, keep going until another trained person or paramedics take over, you are too tired, the scene becomes unsafe, or the person shows an obvious sign of life. Ask someone else to handle the crowd.

3. Keep doing CPR but leave the AED in its case until paramedics arrive.
   Why?

   Acceptable. CPR helps keep blood moving, but an AED can correct the underlying problem for some people in sudden cardiac arrest. Use it as soon as it arrives.

The AED gave one shock and told you to continue CPR. A coworker who also has CPR training is ready to take turns with you. Paramedics will arrive at the street entrance.

1. Keep CPR going with your trained coworker, and send another staff member to meet paramedics at the entrance and guide them in.
   Why?

   Best practice. Correct. Taking turns with another trained person means CPR does not have to stop because you are too tired. Guard training also covers controlling access for emergency services and giving them the details they need.

2. Keep CPR going and let the paramedics find their own way in.
   Why?

   Acceptable. The care is right, but paramedics may lose time finding the right door or getting past locked areas. Sending someone to meet them saves time.

3. Hand CPR to an untrained bystander so you can go outside to wait for paramedics yourself.
   Why?

   Unsafe or not allowed. You are the trained person here. Keep giving CPR until another trained person or paramedics take over, and ask someone else to meet the ambulance.

Paramedics take over and move the person to the ambulance. Your supervisor asks you for a report before the end of your shift.

1. Write your notes right away: times, what you saw, the care given, AED use, who called 911 and who was there. Keep the person's details private.
   Why?

   Best practice. Well done. Accurate, factual notes written while details are fresh are part of your job. Codes of conduct such as Alberta's require security licensees to keep information confidential.

2. Write a short line saying 'medical call, ambulance came' and leave it there.
   Why?

   Acceptable. The basics are there, but a useful report records the facts in order: times, what you saw, the care given and who was involved.

3. Share a bystander's video on social media to show how well security handled it.
   Why?

   Unsafe or not allowed. This is a serious breach of privacy. Codes of conduct such as Alberta's require security licensees to keep information confidential, and your employer's policy will too.