• Question: What differences are there to first aid in space? As you can't do recovery position on the ground ect.

    Asked by MattLeon to Simon, Julia, Delma, Andrew, Alex on 15 Dec 2015.
    • Photo: Andrew Winnard

      Andrew Winnard answered on 15 Dec 2015:

      Perhaps more important is that you cant do normal CPR in space (pumping the chest if someones heart stops). We have been doing research to figure out ways to make CPR work in space. From giving someone a really tight bear hug, kneeing them in the chest while pulling their arms and pushing off one wall, while they are squashed against another one! Probably the best way is to float with the person, lock your legs around their chest and then try to compress the chest.

      However, we try hard not to have serious accidents in space! In a big emergency, the crew would come back down to earth straight away.

    • Photo: Delma Childers

      Delma Childers answered on 15 Dec 2015:

      There are few differences. CPR is more difficult, but possible:

      Space medicine has come a long way since the 1960s. This link gives a good idea of how far we’ve come:
      http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/spaceflight/space-medicine/evolution-medical-kits-mercury-iss/

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