WSIB and Recertifications

I was speaking to a perspective Client this morning who has been dutifully recertify her staffing in First Aid and CPR every three years. As I was trying get the history of the training her staff has been receiving one item became very clear. Since original course her staff had only been taking recertifications. Many people do not realize that according to WSIB regulations you can only take one recertification and then you need to take a full Standard First Aid course.  This would mean if you took a Standard First Aid course in 2008 you would be able to take a Standard First Aid Recertification in 2011 and then you would need to take a complete Standard First Aid course in 2014. This may seem extreme but in a six year period certain parts of the First Aid and CPR will change and by only taking recertifications some things will fall between the cracks.

In this case you are fortunate if you are covered by WSIB. Those workplaces covered by the Canada Labour Code (CLC) cannot take the Standard First Aid recertification course since it is not recognized by the CLC.

First Aid Ottawa provides both Standard First Aid and the recertification course in addition to many other of the high quality Canadian Red Cross First Aid courses. The courses and fun, interactive and informative and best of all they are recognized by both WSIB and the CLC. Check out our website for a list of upcoming courses or give us a call at 613-225-2727.

Is CPR really a lifesaver?

I recently watched a rerun of the series Lost. In this episode the "Doctor" performed CPR and striking the chest and the patient revived. In reality CPR by itself will not restart the heart but it provides oxygen to the brain and other vital organs until the heart can be restarted.

Many people expect that they after the compress the chest and breathe into the patient they will wake up. Although everyone hopes for this situation the reality is important to understand. I often teach that the R in CPR actually means maintain. This is because the rescuer is maintain the necessary oxygen flow to keep brain cells alive. With no CPR the brain cells will die within ten minutes and there will be little chance of revival.

That being said there is a tool available to the general public that can be used suucessfully to restart in 80% of cardiac arrests (when the heart stops beating). The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that will automatically analyze a persons heart rhythm and if necessary send an electric shock across the persons heart. An AED prompts the used to place the pads on the patient, and when to press the "shock" button. Once turned on the rescuer simply places the pads on the patient as indicated on the diagram and while ensuring noone is touching the patient presses the shock button.

This does not mean the CPR is not necessary once the AED arrives. Since the AED will not circulate any oxygen, after each shock the AED will prompt the rescuer to perform two minutes of CPR (it counts this down). After the two minutes the AED will tell the rescuer to stop CPR and will analyze the heart and shock if nescessary if required.

Learning CPR and the use of an AED is easier than ever. All First Aid Ottawa's courses include CPR and AED certification. Visit us at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or call us at 613-225-2727.

What's an AED?

A Client recently called to obtain information on AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators). In order to determine how information she needed I asked my typical first question, "How much do you know about AEDs." Her answer, "Very little" suggested that more education is necessary about this livesaving tool.

How the Heart Functions

Your heart is a muscle that when it contracts squeezes blood out. Some of this blood goes to the lungs to get oxygen and some carries oxygenated (blood with oxygen in it) to the body. When the heart relaxes deoxygenated blood (blood with very little oxygen in it) flows in from the body and oxygenated flows in from the lungs.

What makes the Heart contract is an electrical impulse that the heart itself generates. This electrical impulse is what you see when you look at an ECG (heart monitor).

Electrical problems in the heart

When a person suffers a heart attack this can cause the hearts electrical system to not work properly and cause the heart to not pump efficiently. Usually the heart will go into two arrhythmia (incorrect electrical activity). When this happens, the heart cannot circulate blood (and in turn the oxygen in it).

The AED saves the day

If an AED is applied to a person with these arrhythmias it will analyze the heart and when it finds these arrhythmias will advise the user that a shock needs to be applied. It will charge up and wait for the user to press the "shock" button. This shock is designed to stop all electrical activity in the heart and wait for the hearts nomal electrical rhythm to start.

Only good can come from this

Using an AED is safe. If you were to appy the AED to person with no heart difficuly the AED would not allow you to shock them.

What about CPR?

If the AED is so valuable then what about CPR? CPR is a valuable tool to be used with an AED. CPR with circulate oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. The new AED protocols (the procedure that the AED follows) requires CPR be performed for 2 minutes between shock attempts.

Simple. Safe. Effective

Using an AED is simple, safe and effective. In June 2007 the Province of Ontario deregulated the use of AEDs so that anyone regardless of whether they are trained or not can use an AED without being concerned about being sued.

Get the box. Get trained.

This makes saving a life easier. As an employer you can save your employees by purchasing an AED and getting your staff trained in AEd/CPR and First Aid. As a commercial landlord installing an AED should be viewed as installing a fire extinguisher.

First Aid Ottawa can assist you in make your AED purchase decision to ensure you get the right model for your needs. We also provide all the required training. Check out our website at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or call us at 613-225-2727.

Where's 911

A recent tragedy has highlighted the accessibility of 911 throughout Canada. Due to media saturation we have all been told to call 911 in an emergency. What these messages fail to indicate, and sonething that surprises most people, is that 911 is not available everywhere in Canada.

911 access is still confined to urban areas or rural areas near urban areas. In Canada 911 systems are managed by the local municipality (sometimes the functionality is outsourced but the responsibility lies with that municipality). What this means is that is that we have a hodgepodge of 911 systems that sometimes overlap and sometimes leaves out areas.

Another problem is the technology. With the advent of cellphones people are used to having immediate access to help. This is reliant on a clear signal from a cell tower. When cell phone calls are made near an intersection of 911 systems we can get crossover from one system to another. The Cities of Ottawa and Gatineau have agreed to allow their 911 centres to transfer calls to each other's Emergency Services in order to overcome this issue. In areas such as southern BC even near Vancouver calls are sometimes routed through a U.S. cell tower even though they are made from Canada. Unless the local municipalities agree to transfer calls there is little the 911 operator can do.

So what can you do? As is the case for all emergencies plan ahead. Inform yourself what cell coverage is available where you are or will be travelling. Find out if there is 911 service (for even landlines) and if not ensure that you have the 10 digit telephone numbers for your local emergency services and they are posted near the telephone.

While you are thinking about preparing for emergencies don't forget to get your first aid training up to date. Courses now are easier than ever. For more information on courses in the Ottawa area check out our website at: www.FirstAidOttawa.com or call us at 613-225-2727.