Winter Driving Safety

With winter travel season upon us a review of winter road safety would seem appropriate. If you are planning any travel, either inner or intercity, ensuring your vehicle is properly maintained is always the first step. During the winter your vehicle should be equipped with emergency supplies such as a shovel, salt (or another form of traction), blankets, food rations, flares and/or signal flags and candles (and waterproof matches). If you need to use the candles in the vehicle (they are very effective in keeping a vehicle warm) ensure that your windows are open a crack to ensure enough air flow. If you have a cell phone, ensure it is completely charged before you leave. Also be aware of the emergency numbers in areas that you are travelling. 911 is not available everywhere nor is there cell phone coverage everywhere.

If you are trapped off the road during a snow storm do not leave the vehicle. You can lose your way very easily. Wherever your travels take you drive safely.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code. Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.-2727.

First Aid For Cold Emergencies

Hypothermia, the cooling of the body's core temperature, can happen twelve months of the year in the Ottawa area. The spring time temperature fluctuations and rain can cause a person to go into hypothermia very quickly. A person in mild hypothermia will shiver and complain of the cold, someone in moderate hypothermia will also shiver and complain of numbness, a lack of coordination and may act in a confused manner and impaired judgement. Finally, someone in severe hypothermia will not shiver (a sign their body cannot warm itself up) or complain of being cold along with the confused behaviour mentioned above. Someone in severe hypothermia can also lose consciousness and stop breathing.

The best treatment is prevention. Dress for the weather and in layers.

For someone in mild or moderate hypothermia seek shelter, remove wet clothing and re-warm with a blanket or an external source of heat. For severe hypothermia the person will need external sources of heat to warm up. EMS/911 should also be called for cases of severe hypothermia.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code. Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.-2727.