Helmet Safety

Canadians love their outdoor/cold weather activities. Some activities like hockey, skating, skiing/snowboarding do have a higher incidence of head injuries.  Lately there has been a lot of discussion about head protection for these sports. For most people this has lead to further confusion about how to protect themselves.

The best way to prevent injury is to wear the appropriate gear. For hockey, skating and skiing/snowboarding this includes helmets. Old and young need to wear helmets.

When choosing a helmet, style is not the most important part. Look for the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) sticker on your helmet to ensure that it meets the rigorous requirements to meet your needs.

Next wear your helmet. A helmet does not work if you do not wear it. When you wear it make sure you wear it properly (this includes using the chin strap).

Finally, despite the fact that you are wearing a helmet does not preclude that you should practise your sport/activity 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.

Spring Road Safety

With the arrival of spring and the swift departure of snow, we are seeing more and more activity on our streets as the cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers are coming out of their hibernation. As our streets get busier the chances of collisions between vehicles and cyclists and others increase. In addition many streets still have stones and pebbles that can cause additional falls and injuries.

Injury prevention is important. Following the rules of the road for your sport will help keeping everyone safe. Everyone needs to share the road.

Wearing the appropriate gear will keep the cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers safe. Although in Ontario only those under 18 are required to wearing helmets they are recommended for all. Skateboarders and rollerbladers should also wear knee, wrist and elbow pads. All it takes is an instant of distraction and an injury can result.

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.

Winter Water Safety

Every year at this time we are reminded of the dangers of thin ice on our lakes and rivers. Both vehicles and people fall through ice that only days before could support them. Should you fall through thin remember the following: Remain calm (although this can sometimes be the hardest step), if possible remove heavy clothing that may pull you under, move to the side closest to land and kick your legs while you pull yourself up. If the ice continues to break keep kicking since you are still making progress. Once you are on the ice stay low and crawl off the ice. Remember that hypothermia (the lowering of the body temperature) occurs quicker if you are wet. Seek warmth as soon as possible and do not go back on the ice to retrieve anything.

If you see someone fall through the ice, first call 911 and they try and throw something to them and pull them out of the water. Only go the ice if absolutely necessary and then stay low so your weight is distributed over the ice. Remember that the ice closest to the hole will be fragile. Once the person is out of the water on land they need to re-warmed immediately. Get them inside, into dry clothes and near a heat source quickly.

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.

First Aid Snow Blindness

Snow Blindness is the damage caused to your eyes from looking too long at the snow on a bright day. In Canada we try and enjoy the sunny days during the winter since them seem so few and far between, there is a risk though. We do not need to give up our outdoor activities on sunny days; instead we just need to take simple precautions. Sunglasses are not just for the summer. Everyone, children included, should wear sunglasses. If you ski or snowboard consider getting goggles that included UVA and UVB protection. They should prevent light from shining in from above or below and should block 90% of UV rays and 50% of infrared rays.

Someone who has snow blindness will have redness on the face, swelling of the tissue around the eyes and a pain or burning sensation that may become intense. You will need to place the person in a darker environment and use cool, damp cloths to reduce pain and burning. Remember that the symptoms of snow blindness may not appear for several hours following exposure to bright snowy conditions.

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 Frost Nip and Frost Bite

Frost Nip is a superficial injury caused by freezing of the skin. In the case of frostbite, the tissue underneath the skin freezes as well.

The best way to deal with these injuries is Prevention. Dress for the weather and cover up vulnerable areas such as fingers, toes, cheeks, ears and nose (but not too tightly).

To treat, warm the area gradually using warm water or body heat. Don’t break blisters, protect them with loose dry dressings

Don’t rub the area or put snow on it. Warm the area only if are sure it will not freeze again.

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.

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.