Autumn in North Wales brings some spectacular scenery. The trees change colour, the mountains look magnificent, and there’s something rather satisfying about getting wrapped up for a walk on a crisp October morning.
Unfortunately, autumn also brings shorter days, slippery surfaces, colder temperatures and a few additional hazards.
Whether you’re heading into the mountains, walking the dog, working outdoors or simply going about your daily routine, knowing some basic first aid can make a real difference when something goes wrong.
Here are five situations worth being prepared for this autumn.
1. Slips, Trips and Falls
Wet leaves, muddy footpaths and slippery pavements make autumn a particularly good time to lose your footing.
Most falls result in little more than bruised pride, but occasionally they can cause sprains, fractures or more serious injuries.
What should you do?
If someone falls, don’t immediately encourage them to get up.
First, check whether they’re injured. If they have severe pain, significant swelling, an obvious deformity or cannot put weight on a limb, they may have sustained a fracture.
Support the injured area and avoid unnecessary movement.
If you suspect a serious injury, particularly to the head, neck or spine, keep the casualty as still as possible and call 999.
For minor sprains, protecting the injury, resting it, applying a cold pack wrapped in a towel and elevating the affected area can help.
And remember: just because someone can walk after a fall doesn’t necessarily mean they haven’t injured themselves.
2. Hypothermia: It’s Not Just a Winter Problem
One of the biggest misconceptions about hypothermia is that it only happens when temperatures drop below freezing.
In reality, hypothermia can develop in relatively mild conditions, particularly when someone is wet, exposed to wind or inadequately dressed.
Here in North Wales, that’s something worth remembering!
Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 35°C.
Signs to look out for include:
- Shivering
- Cold, pale skin
- Confusion or unusual behaviour
- Slurred speech
- Poor coordination
- Increasing tiredness or drowsiness
What should you do?
Move the casualty somewhere sheltered and warm if it’s safe to do so.
Remove wet clothing where practical and replace it with dry layers. Insulate them from the cold ground and cover their head.
If they’re fully alert and able to swallow safely, a warm, non-alcoholic drink may help.
Avoid rapidly heating them with very hot water or direct heat.
Suspected hypothermia requires urgent medical assessment. Call 999, particularly if the casualty is confused, drowsy or deteriorating.
3. Head Injuries
Autumn’s slippery conditions can also lead to head injuries, whether that’s someone falling on a pavement, slipping on a hillside or taking a tumble from a bicycle.
Most minor bumps aren’t serious, but it’s important to recognise when a head injury needs medical attention.
Warning signs include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Increasing confusion or unusual behaviour
- Repeated vomiting
- A worsening headache
- Seizures
- Weakness or difficulty speaking
- Problems with balance or coordination
Call 999 for serious symptoms, including reduced consciousness, seizures or new neurological problems.
Even when someone initially appears well, symptoms can develop later. Anyone with a head injury should be assessed for the need for medical attention, and appropriate observation is important.
If you’re unsure about the seriousness of an injury, seek advice from NHS 111 Wales.
4. Burns and Scalds
As the weather gets colder, we start using fireplaces, heaters, hot water bottles and increasingly large quantities of tea and coffee.
Unfortunately, that also means more opportunities for burns and scalds.
The good news is that the immediate first aid treatment is straightforward.
Remember: Cool, Call, Cover.
Cool: Place the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Remove jewellery or loose clothing near the burn, provided it isn’t stuck to the skin.
Call: Seek appropriate medical help. Call 999 for serious burns or if the casualty has difficulty breathing.
Cover: Once cooled, loosely cover the burn with cling film laid over it, or a suitable sterile non-stick dressing.
Never apply butter, toothpaste or creams to a fresh burn.
And don’t use ice. It can cause further damage to the skin.
Burns involving the face, hands, feet, genitals or major joints, as well as deep or extensive burns, need medical assessment.
5. Cardiac Arrest: Would You Know What to Do?
This final emergency isn’t particularly seasonal, but it’s something everyone should be prepared for.
Every year, people experience cardiac arrests at home, at work and in public places.
When someone’s heart stops pumping blood effectively, every second matters.
If someone collapses and is unresponsive:
Check for normal breathing.
If they’re not breathing normally, or are only making occasional gasping sounds, assume cardiac arrest.
Call 999 immediately and ask someone to find an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Start CPR, pushing hard and fast in the centre of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
If you’re trained and willing to provide rescue breaths, use a ratio of 30 compressions to two breaths. Otherwise, continue with uninterrupted chest compressions.
Use an AED as soon as one becomes available and follow its spoken instructions.
You don’t need to be a healthcare professional to use a defibrillator. Modern AEDs are designed to guide ordinary members of the public through the process.
The most important thing is to act.
Would You Feel Confident Helping?
Reading about first aid is useful, but there’s a big difference between knowing what you should do and feeling confident enough to actually do it.
That’s where practical first aid training comes in.
At North Wales First Aid, our courses focus on developing the skills and confidence to respond to real emergencies.
Our Emergency First Aid at Work course takes just one day and covers essential skills including CPR, using a defibrillator, managing an unconscious casualty, dealing with bleeding and responding to common medical emergencies.
We run regular courses in Bangor, Llandudno/Conwy and Wrexham, as well as providing training at workplaces throughout North Wales.
Whether you’re responsible for first aid at work or simply want to be better prepared when something goes wrong, it’s a valuable skill to have.
