Can be triggered by emotional or other medical conditions. Can also be linked to a panic attack. Hyperventilation is a common problem for a First Aider to deal with and can raise concerns when seen to a possible heart attack. There can be many signs and symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties, fear, dizziness, headaches and shaking. They can be encouraged to breathe slowly but if this does not work then get them to breathe back their exhaled air to reset the correct breathing paten by breathing in and out of a paper bag. Special points: You can get a …
Airbags can activate while you are helping a patient
Care has to be taken when dealing with car accidents where airbags are fitted. The problem is that you may be helping a patient in a car, supporting their head and then airbag suddenly fires. This can cause the rescuer serious injury as well as putting the patient at risk. If you attend a car accident, check to see if the airbag has activated and if not then take care not to be in the area where it could fire. If you are needing to support their head consider going in from behind the driver. Air bags are not just …
Weaver Fish Season on British Costal Beaches
The Weaver Fish season is here on UK beaches and its sting can be extremely painful but death is extremely rare. Respiratory failure and gangrene have been reported, following infection in some cases. The Weaver fish is a small fish about 15 cm long. It has venomous spines along its dorsal fin. It’s found quite commonly around the British Isles in warm weather. It may hide under the sand at low tide and is very well camouflaged. If you wear footwear and shuffle you feet as you walk the fish will swim away, but where you tread on it, you …
ZOLL Medical Awarded British Heart Foundation Tender for AED’S
ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that it has been designated a nominated supplier by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for its ZOLL AED Plus® and ZOLL AED Pro®. Under the terms of the Level 1 Community Resuscitation Programme tender, ZOLL is the sole supplier to the BHF. The BHF plans to purchase AED Plus units annually from April 6, 2010 for the next three years to distribute in public places and areas of need throughout the United Kingdom. “ZOLL is pleased to be providing public access AEDs that will encourage British …
Airbags can activate while you are helping a patient
Care has to be taken when dealing with car accidents where airbags are fitted. The problem is that you may be helping a patient in a car, supporting their head and then airbag suddenly fires. This can cause the rescuer serious injury as well as putting the patient at risk. If you attend a car accident, check to see if the airbag has activated and if not then take care not to be in the area where it could fire. If you are needing to support their head consider going in from behind the driver. Air bags are not just …
Some information on Cholesterol
The press reports on Cholesterol along with Television adverts have made this more of a talking point over recent years. It has been portrayed as the silent killer but there is more to Cholesterol than just a number. There are two types of Cholesterol, the LDL “bad Cholesterol” and HDL the “good Cholesterol”. LDL contribute to cardiovascular disease and HDL help reduces Cholesterol and protects against atherosclerosis. The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. LDL Cholesterol Levels: Less than 100 mg/dl – Ideal level 100 to 129 mg/dl – Near or above ideal 130 …
Requirements for the EFAW Course
The EFAW (Emergency First Aid at Work) qualification is chosen where the risk assessment of a business identifies the need. It is a requirement of some jobs and an industry standard. The course is governed by the HSE and only approved centres can offer this course. The EFAW course used to be held over 1 day and a minimum of 6 contact hours. The certificate is valid for 3 years and then you have to take another EFAW course to renew. The EFAW was launched in October 2009 as the HSE approved one day course to ensure course quality. Before October …
Requirements for FAW Training
The FAW (First Aid at Work) qualification is chosen where the risk assessment of a business identifies the need. It is a requirement of some jobs and an industry standard. The course is governed by the HSE and only approved centres can offer this course. The FAW course used to be held over 4 days but in October 2009 this changed to 3 days. The certificate is valid for 3 years and then you have to take a 2 day requalification course to renew. Make sure you renew in time, as if you are too late you will have to …
The Importance of CPR in Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The Importance of CPR in Sudden Cardiac Arrest By Adrian Waller, Public Safety Manager, ZOLL. Sudden Cardiac Arrest SCA is an indiscriminate killer with a dismal survival rate of between 5 and 7%. While half the victims are elderly and over the age of 67, SCA can strike younger victims, including those appearing to be in excellent health, athletes and even young children. It’s the leading cause of death worldwide and is responsible for over 150,000 deaths a year in the United Kingdom alone. SCA is not the same as a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction or AMI). A heart attack is …
UK Resuscitation Council 2010 Guideline Changes Date
The UK Resuscitation Council are due to announce the changes in the 2010 Guidelines on 18th October 2010. The rules regarding first aid have their main review every 5 years, the last change was in 2005 so the next one is this year. There is various speculation on what the changes will be but we will not know until it is announced. These potential changes are nothing to worry about as you can continue carrying our fist aid and CPR the way you have been trained until you do your next refresher or you update by watching the revised video …
Night Club Door Staff now need first aid qualifications to be Licensed
All door supervisors (bouncers) have to have training and this includes first aid training. This group is the latest that now include first aid training as part of their professional training plans. The last group to introduce this was for HGV and commercial lorry drivers. The rulings state: “From 1 June that training must also include physical intervention techniques like safe restraint and ejection. The move is part of a widespread shake-up of the door supervisor licence which now includes lessons in first aid and terrorism awareness. The training is only compulsory for first time door staff who have never …
Video from the British Heart Foundation on what it’s like to have a heart attack
Have a look at the following video, it was produced to increase the awareness of heart attacks and to make people call for help whenever they suspect they are in trouble. The video was produced by the British Heart Foundation. For more information on heart issues the BHF website has news and details on how you can support their work. BHF What it’s like to have a Heart Attack Video