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The forum is open to discuss Life Saving procedures and basic First Aid. We welcome stories of real life situations where you have assisted someone in need. Additionally, we offer a full range of First Aid Courses, including:

Childrens First Aid Training from the age of 6 yrs and over. Basic Life Support. Family First Aid. Paediatric First Aid. Emergency First Aid at Work. First Aid at Work. FAW

requalification. AED training. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children. First Aid Certificates issued upon completion of each course. We are happy to split full day courses into 2 sessions, held at your own venue if preferred. We also offer courses for young mums and dads to accomodate school runs, being from 10am till 2pm.

Going on Hols?Beware!!
23/07/2017

Going on Hols?

Beware!!

23/07/2017

HEAT EXHAUSTION & HEATSTROKE

Due to the upcoming holidays, and potential hot climates, we should be aware of the symptoms and treatment of Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are two heat-related health conditions.
If they're not quickly treated, they can both be very serious.

HEAT EXHAUSTION:

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body’s temperature rises to anything between the normal 37°C up to 40°C .
At this temperature, the levels of water and salt in the body begin to fall, which can cause a person to feel sick, feel faint and sweat heavily.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion can develop rapidly.

They include:
• very hot skin that feels ‘flushed’
• heavy sweating
• dizziness
• extreme tiredness
• feeling sick
• vomiting
• a rapid heartbeat
• mental confusion
• urinating less often and much darker urine than usual

If a person with heat exhaustion is taken quickly to a cool place, is given water to drink and has their excess clothing removed, they should begin to feel better within half an hour and have no long-term complications.

Without treatment, they could develop heatstroke.

Certain groups are more at risk of developing heatstroke or suffering complications from dehydration and should be taken to hospital if suffering heat exhaustion.

This includes:
• children under two years old
• very elderly people
• people with kidney, heart or circulation problems
• people with diabetes who use insulin

If you suspect that someone has heat exhaustion treat as follows.
• Get them to rest in a cool place – ideally a room with air conditioning or, if this isn't possible, somewhere in the shade.
• Get them to drink fluids – this should be water or a rehydration drink, such as a sports drink; they should stop taking fluid on board once their symptoms have greatly decreased (usually within two to three hours).
• Avoid alcohol or caffeine as these can increase levels of dehydration.
• Cool their skin with cold water – if available, use a cool shower or bath to cool them down, otherwise apply a cool, wet flannel or facecloth to their skin.
• Loosen clothing and ensure that the person gets plenty of ventilation.

Dial 999 if the person doesn't respond to the above treatment within 30 minutes.
....................................................................................................

HEATSTROKE:

Heatstroke is far more serious than heat exhaustion.
It occurs when the body can no longer cool itself and starts to overheat.
When the core temperature rises above 40°C the cells inside the body begin to break down and important parts of the body stop working.
If left untreated, it can lead to complications, such as organ failure and brain damage.

Some people die from heatstroke.

The symptoms of heatstroke develop more quickly when associated with physical activity.
This type of heatstroke is referred to as exertional heatstroke.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• high body temperature – a temperature of 40°C (104°F) or above is often a major sign of heatstroke.
• heavy sweating that suddenly stops – if the body is unable to produce any more sweat, it's a major warning sign that it has become over-heated and dehydrated
• a rapid heartbeat
• rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
• muscle cramps

The extreme heat that causes heatstroke also affects the nervous system, which can cause other symptoms such as:

• mental confusion
• lack of co-ordination
• fits (seizures)
• restlessness or anxiety
• problems understanding or speaking to others
• seeing or hearing things that aren't real (hallucinations)
• loss of consciousness

Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
Dial 999 immediately if you think that you or someone you know has heatstroke.

While you're waiting for the ambulance to arrive you should do the following:

• Move the person to a cool area as quickly as possible.
• Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
• If they're conscious, give them water to drink but don't give them medication, such as aspirin or paracetamol.
• Shower their skin with cool, but not cold, water (15-18°C).
• Alternatively, cover their body with cool, damp towels or sheets, or immerse them in cool but not cold water.
• It's better to wait for medical supervision before fully immersing them in water, such as in a bath, as the body’s response could cause them harm.
• Gently massage their skin to encourage circulation.
• If they start to have a seizure move nearby objects out of the way to prevent injury (don't use force or put anything in their mouth).
• If the person is unconscious and vomiting, move them into the recovery position, making sure that their airway is clear

Keep safe this Christmas.Treating a choking adult, child and baby.If a foreign object gets stuck at the back of the thro...
22/12/2016

Keep safe this Christmas.

Treating a choking adult, child and baby.

If a foreign object gets stuck at the back of the throat it can cause mild or severe blockage to the airway.

If it is not a severe blockage the casualty will still be able to breathe and possibly speak, and can often clear it simply by coughing.

Therefore, encourage them to cough, and if you can actually see the object causing the blockage, remove it if safe to do so.
Do not do a blind finger sweep as that may push any object farther down the throat.
If they are unable to speak, breathe or cough, it is a severe blockage and they will quickly lose consciousness without intervention.

If the obstruction is not cleared by coughing and/or appears to be severe proceed as follows:

Give up to 5 BACK BLOWS with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades.
Whilst giving the back blows place your other hand around their waist to stop them falling forwards.
Watch for the object falling out after each blow.

If that fails to remove the obstruction

Give up to 5 ABDOMINAL THRUSTS by placing your arms around their waist, clenching one hand with the thumb under their lower rib, the other hand over the first, and pulling inwards and upwards in one movement.
Again, watch for the obstruction falling out after each thrust.

If the obstruction has not cleared after three cycles of back blows and abominable thrusts:-
• Dial 999/991 or 112 and continue with the cycles until help arrives.

If the patient collapses be prepared to commence CPR if appropriate.

Children should be treated the same as adults, possibly somewhat lighter blows and thrusts dependent on the size of the child .
If it is a baby that is choking perform the Abdominal Thrusts by using 2 fingers, pushing inwards and upwards under the ribs.
Babies should be laid along the length of your arm, with your arm resting on your leg. This creates a firmer base, making back blows and tummy thrusts more effective.

ALWAYS call 999 with small children and babies following the above procedure even if the blockage is successfully cleared.
Your life saving intervention may have caused secondary injuries.

Photo 1 illustrates the International sign for `Help, I am choking`.

21/12/2016

GRAPES SHOULD ALWAYS BE SLICED LENGTHWAYS to ensure they don't get lodged in smaller throats.

Babies and young children haven’t learnt how to chew, swallow and breathe in the right order. They sometimes get them mixed up, and that can cause choking.

As the inquest into the tragic incident of Jacob Jenkins (who died when he choked on a grape in a Pizza Hut) gets underway, we are
reminded how important it is to be extra cautious with food and drink items for young children.

There’s always a risk of choking on food and drink. Supervising babies and young children while they’re eating can prevent most choking accidents. There are other measures you can take with their food such as:

- Cutting food into smaller pieces
- Avoiding hard-to-eat foods like peanuts, boiled sweets and ice cubes

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/16/toddler-died-choking-grape-pizza-hut

FINAL PART: AED training part 4: RE-POSTEDUSING THE AED:-The pads are now in position and the AED will now prepare to an...
18/05/2016

FINAL PART:

AED training part 4: RE-POSTED

USING THE AED:-

The pads are now in position and the AED will now prepare to analyse the patient (looking for a shockable rhythm).

Note: Some AED’s will then analyse automatically, others may instruct you to press the analyse button.
It is essential that the AED only analyses the heart rhythm of the person in cardiac arrest, so you have to ensure no one is touching the patient.

The AED will go on to say something like: Do not touch patient, analysing rhythm.
At this point sweep your arm around the patient saying loud and clear “Stand Clear”.
Watch bystanders as you do this to ensure that they follow your instructions.

The AED will then instruct you as follows: (wording varies with different AED’s)

a) No shock advised, re-commence CPR.

Or

b) Shock advised. Charging. Stand Clear. Push flashing button to deliver shock.

*Shock delivered*.

It is now safe to touch the patient, give 30 compressions and then 2 breaths.

It is essential that before the shock is delivered you perform another sweep of the arm and say “Stand Clear”.
Again, loud and clear, ensuring that bystanders do as requested.

Throughout this whole process you are simply following the instructions given by the AED. However, if the AED instructs you to take the patients pulse ignore this and re-check the breathing again. It was the absence of normal breathing that started this procedure, not the lack of a pulse.

Continue until either the Ambulance crew request you to stop, you are too tired to continue or the patient recovers. If the patient recovers leave the pads in place, the AED turned on, and place the patient in the recovery position. Continue to monitor patient.

Wherever possible get someone to take it in turns doing CPR as the compressions will then be more effective throughout and gives you a chance to get your breath back.

When the ambulance arrives they need to know:

• The current state of the patient.
• Any of the patients history that you have at hand.
• The number of shocks given.
• Any other relevant information.

The key thing to have in your mind is that you cannot kill anyone with these, they are already deceased. (If applied to someone who is still breathing it will not allow you to shock them)

AED training part 3: RE-POSTEDUSING THE AED:-As soon as you have the AED start using it, having allowed for external saf...
16/05/2016

AED training part 3: RE-POSTED

USING THE AED:-

As soon as you have the AED start using it, having allowed for external safety issues.
If no one else is able to continue CPR leave CPR for now and concentrate on the AED.

Firstly, open the patients clothing to reveal the bare chest.
If the patient is female and you need to remove the bra, and hubby is there, explain what you are about to do and then move on quickly. Arrange privacy if possible.

Quickly prepare the chest for the pads, drying or shaving etc., as required.

Place the AED next to the patients head at your side and lift the lid fully open, this will turn the AED on.
If it is the style without a lid there will be an ON button on the top.
Some AED's come in an outer case that needs opening prior to opening the lid of the actual AED.

As soon as the AED is turned on it will tell you to:
a) tear open package and remove pads.
b) peel one pad from plastic liner.
c) place one pad on bare upper chest (just below the patients right collarbone)
d) place second pad on bare lower chest (slightly under the patients left armpit)

If the 2 pads have illustrations showing the location for each pad, place them in those positions.
However, if you then realise that you have put them the wrong way around, leave them in that position.
If you try and remove them it wastes time and they may not stick properly when re-positioned.
They will still work properly if placed the opposite way round.

If the AED comes with the leads already plugged in it will move straight on to the next stage.
If they are not plugged in it will instruct you to plug the lead into the AED.

AED training part 2: RE-POSTEDIt is crucial that you have the sequence of basic CPR clear in your mind.Effective CPR is ...
15/05/2016

AED training part 2: RE-POSTED

It is crucial that you have the sequence of basic CPR clear in your mind.
Effective CPR is an integral part of using an AED, substantially increasing the chance of survival.

Therefore, let’s do a quick recap.

1) Primary Survey completed, established as a non breathing patient.

2) Ring 999 or 112 and ask a bystander to see if there is an AED (defibrillator) in the area.

3) Perform CPR - on adult (see drowning, child & baby CPR in previous post)

a) Position your body to the patients side with your shoulders above their chest.
b) Place the heel of one hand on the centre of their chest.
c) Place your other hand over the first and interlock your fingers.
d) Keep your arms straight and press down approximately 2".
e) Perform 30 such compressions at a speed of 2 per second.
f) Then perform 2 rescue breaths (see how in previous post).
g) Continue with 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

If a bystander returns with an AED ask if he will continue with CPR while you set the AED up.
If he is not willing or able leave the CPR for now and concentrate on the AED.

Before you start applying the pads there are a few safety issues to be aware of.

1) External dangers.

If the casualty is laid in ``excessive` water, as against simply a wet floor, laid on metal or in an area containing inflammable liquids of any sort, get help and move him to a safer area before shocking him. (Petrol stations are an obvious danger)
The risks of anyone being injured in these situations is minute, but why take the risk.

2) Bodily dangers, in so far as they can reduce the effectiveness of the pads.

a) Excessive sweat to the chest:- Wipe of with towel or cloth.
b) Excessive hair to the chest:- Shave off. (There is a towel & razor in AED pack).
c) Jewellery around chest area:- If there is such as a necklace or pendant, move it away from the chest.
d) Patches:- Any patches stuck to the chest should be removed.
e) Pacemaker: If there is a pacemaker to the patients right side, where the pad is going, place pad slightly below it.
d) Clothing:- If the patient is wearing any clothing that may have metal or wiring around the chest area, such as an under wired bra, remove it.

Globally, it is an accepted fact that there is a 'chain of survival' that drastically increases the patients chance’s of surviving a cardiac arrest, as shown in the photo below.

In simple terms, if you were stood next to someone who went into sudden cardiac arrest, you have a mobile, you know how to do CPR, there was an AED on the wall and the ambulance was only 3 minutes away, his chances of survival are better than someone out in the sticks with minimal assistance.

AED Training Part 1: RE_POSTEDHow does an AED work?AED’s (automated external defibrillators) are portable battery operat...
15/05/2016

AED Training Part 1: RE_POSTED

How does an AED work?

AED’s (automated external defibrillators) are portable battery operated devices that are easy to use, giving specific instructions throughout the procedure.

They have sticky pads that are attached to the chest of the person who is in Cardiac Arrest.

The electrodes in the pads relay information about the person's heart rhythm to the AED, which analyzes the rhythm to find out whether an electric shock is needed.
If a shock is needed, the AED uses voice prompts to tell you when to give the shock, simply by the press of a button.

An AED only treats a fibrillating heart. In cardiac arrest without ventricular fibrillation, the heart doesn’t respond to electric currents and the AED will say ‘No shock advised, continue CPR’.

Also, AED’s are less successful when the victim has been in cardiac arrest for longer than a few minutes, especially if no CPR was provided.

Using an AED to shock the heart within minutes of the Cardiac Arrest may restore a normal heart rhythm.
Every minute counts as each minute lost reduces the chance of survival.

There are numerous types of AED’s on the market.
The fully automatic ones turn on by either lifting the lid or pressing the ON button, and it guides you from there, instructing you to apply the pads then both analysing and shocking automatically.

Remember, simply follow the instructions.

Semi automatic AED’s will turn on either by lifting the lid or pressing the ON button, and will usually analyse on its own then instruct you to shock by pressing the shock button.

Some of the older AED’s may still require you to press the ‘ON’ button, press the ‘analyse’ button and then press the ‘shock’ button.
Do not be alarmed by the number of buttons that it may have, it will keep telling you which to press.

The attached photo shows 4 of the more common types.
You will notice that the pads on the top 2 are already plugged in whereas you have to manually plug them in on the bottom 2.
Again, the AED will tell you when to apply the pads and when to connect the lead to the AED.

Please share this and the following 'AED Training Parts’ with your friends.

If someone is having a suspected heart attack or stroke always ask bystanders if they know of a nearby AED (defibrillato...
01/03/2016

If someone is having a suspected heart attack or stroke always ask bystanders if they know of a nearby AED (defibrillator) just in case they
go into Cardiac Arrest (the heart stops beating) which is recognised by the lack of normal breathing.

Some patients may simply go straight into `Sudden Cardiac Arrest` with very little warning.

When someone is in Cardiac Arrest there is a term used in the medical world `Chain of Survival`. This is known to increase the patients chances of survival substantially.

1) Early Access: If someone is closeby at the time of collapse assistance and calls for help happen immediately.

2) Early CPR: By performing CPR immediately the flow of oxygenated blood around the body is continued, improving the patients chances of survival. Some patients hearts are re-started just by performing CPR.

3) Early Defibrillation: Time is of the essence when a patient stops breathing. Every minute that passes reduces the patients chances of survival, therefore using a defibrillator within the first 3 to 5 minutes increases the chances of re-starting the heart.

4) Early Advanced Care: Early treatment from Paramedics and through to Intensive Care again improves the chances of surviving Cardiac Arrest.

There are numerous stories of people being saved by the `Chain of Survival`, some of which we will publish over the next few months.
A crucial part of the chain is being able to access a defibrillator quickly.

We have discussed numerous ways in which we can assistpeople in medical distress, from simple cuts to Heart Attacks, Str...
08/02/2016

We have discussed numerous ways in which we can assist
people in medical distress, from simple cuts to Heart Attacks,
Strokes and Cardiac Arrest.

They all have one thing in common, the starting point.
(Primary Survey)

DRABC or DR ABC (an acronym used in the Medical world)

D: is for DANGER.

This applies to any casualty you may be approaching for the
purpose of offering First Aid. Whilst the patients welfare and
safety is important, it is also essential that you safeguard
yourself and bystanders from becoming additional casualties.

The danger can come in many forms, certainly if you have not
witnessed the collapse or accident.

i.e.:
Has he been electrocuted and still holding a live cable.
Has he been stabbed and there is a knife in the area in which
you are about to kneel, or is the assailant still in the area.
If he has been shot is the area now a safe area.
Are there needles in the area or in the patient.
In an RTC are you safe from other vehicles, is there is a risk
of fire or explosion. Has the ignition been turned off.
If he has fallen or something has fallen on him, are you safe
from other falling objects.
If he is in water or quicksand are you safe to proceed.
If he has been attacked by an animal, has the animal now
left the area.

R: is for RESPONSE.

You look for a response from the patient in 2 ways.

1) Response to sound: Kneel down and ask the patient to open
their eyes.

2) Response to touch: Tap their shoulders, with a baby stroke the
sole of the foot.

A: is for AIRWAY.

Check that the airway is clear of obstruction, including an obstruction by the tongue. (look in the mouth but do not do a finger sweep)
If they have suffered any form of trauma allow that whilst the airway still needs to be kept open, do not compound any potential injury more than absolutley necessary by being too forceful in your actions.
Open the airway by placing one hand on the patients forehead and 2 fingers under the point of his chin, then gently tilt the head back.

B: is for BREATHING.

Check for breathing by placing your ear close to his mouth and listen for
10 seconds to determine whether or not he is breathing. He should take 2 to 3 normal breaths in that period. Be aware that if he is showing signs of agonal breathing, an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by gasping, laboured breaths and strange sounds, he should be deemed as non breathing.
Whilst listening for breathing also be alert to the feel of his breath on your face, and be looking down his chest and stomach for signs of movement as he breathes.

C: is for CIRCULATION.

Check for a pulse or signs of a heartbeat. In realty, this is not crucial as you may not know how to check his pulse, or it may be very weak. If you have confirmed whether or not he is breathing during your 10 second BREATHING check, you would then proceed accordingly regardless of circulation. If no-one has rung 999 yet, have someone ring as soon as you have established whether the patient is breathing or not. If the patients condition alters ring 999 again and update them.

Proceeding from that point will normally only involve 1 of 3 options.

1) The patient is breathing normally, and following the Secondary Survey (see previous training posts) you are satisfied that he has suffered no other injuries requiring consideration, place him in the Recovery Position.

2) The patient is breathing but there are indications of other serious injuries, possibly even to the spine or neck. At this point, although still crucial to control his airway, if your training does not cover this aspect ring 999 again and follow the advice given.

3) The patient is not breathing, commence CPR immediately regardless of any potential secondary injuries, and ask a bystander to see if there is an AED in the area.
Ensure someone calls 999 asap.

Remember, we do not want to perform CPR on someone who has only fainted and we certainly do not want to put a deceased person in the recovery position.

Any questions, please ask.

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