Summer Safety

Last week a Father and his young son were injured in a collision while on their bicycles. The Father, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to Hospital with head injuries. The son, who was wearing a helmet, only had a few minor scrapes. Helmets, when worn properly and are well maintained, are proven to reduce if not prevent head injuries. Although under Ontario law only people under 18 are required to wear a helmet when bicycling, in reality everyone should wear a helmet. There are more vehicles (both motorized and not) on road today making collisions more likely and with higher speeds these injuries are likely to be more serious.

Stay Safe, Wear the Gear

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 for Cuts and Scrapes

Cuts and scrapes are a normal part of everyday life so when should we worry? With all types of wounds the main concern should always be bleeding. If the wound is bleeding heavily apply direct pressure and do not remove the first layer of bandage. Once bleeding is controlled, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and rinse for five minutes with running tap water. If there is a great deal of dirt or contamination seek medical attention. Always watch for signs of infection. A wound may require stitches if the edges do not fall together, the wound is more than 2.5 cm long, the wound is near joints on the hands or feet or the wound is on the face.

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 for Tick Bites

A recent study published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal states that with the current climate changes ticks, and the Lyme disease they can transmit, are spreading across Canada including the North.

Ticks are small insects (the size of watermelon seeds) that dig into the flesh of humans and animals. Because they use a pain killer when they bore into the flesh most hosts do not notice they have been bitten.

When going into wooded or grassy areas: wear long sleeved shirts and pants, wear light colours and don’t wear perfume. When you leave those areas check yourself thoroughly for small black dots especially in areas such as the underarms. If the tick has not bored in yet you can brush it off otherwise use tweezers and pull straight out (avoid twisting). Lyme disease can appear as a rash that starts small and spreads up 18cm across, may cause flu-like symptoms. Later symptoms include arthritis, numbness, problems seeing or hearing, memory loss and high fever. Lyme disease can cause serious medical problems and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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.

Drowning prevention

We have already entered a new season in the Ottawa area, the summer drowning season. Every year lives are lost due to drowning, all of which are preventable through simple safety measures.

If you own a pool then you need to ensure that your yard is fenced in, if you have children even the pool itself should be fenced. A baby can drown in as little of an inch of water and there have been cases of drowning in washing machines (as most parents can attest children move very fast).

By law there needs to a life jacket person plus 1 extra in every boat, even this is not enough since a life jacket is of no use if you are not wearing it. Most people will put life jackets on their children but not themselves. If the boat should tip how will you take of the children if you are trying to find and put on your lifejacket (provided you can even put it on)?

Alcohol should be left onshore and you should not boat while intoxicated.

This summer: Prepare! Stay Safe! Survive!

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.

Diabetic Emergencies: Did You Know?

A diabetic emergency happens when the body cannot control the level of sugar in the blood. The blood sugar level may be too high (hyperglycaemia) or too low (hypoglycaemia). Hyperglycaemia develops slowly, so it is less likely to be a first aid emergency.

 

Preventing diabetic emergencies involves taking your medications as prescribed, checking your blood sugar often, if required, and keeping some quick sugar foods with you at all times.

 

Diabetic emergencies can sometimes be mistaken for drunkenness so keep this in mind. Other signs and symptoms are: changes in level of consciousness, changes in behaviour, rapid breathing, cool, sweating skin and skin that is paler than usual. Some diabetics wear a MedicAlert® medical identification product. You do not need to know the difference between the two types of diabetic emergencies because the first aid is the same for both.

If the person is unconscious call EMS/911. If the person is conscious offer them a sugary drink, if the condition does not improve or worsens call EMS/911. If the person’s condition improves, recommend having a complete meal.

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.

Hypothermia: Did You Know?

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.

Seizure Do's and Don'ts

A Seizure is a temporary alteration in brain function that may produce physical convulsions, minor physical signs or thought disturbances. Some Seizures can be caused by medical conditions (such as epilepsy), physical injuries (head injuries) or illnesses (high fever in children). As a general rule no matter the cause if the seizure happens in a public place or if they have never had a convulsion before then 911 should be called. You also never want to physically restrain the person while they are in convulsions since this may cause further injury. Protecting the person from self injury is the main priority and once the convulsion stops then the priority becomes monitoring their breathing and if necessary performing CPR.

Contrary to popular believe nothing should be placed in the person’s mouth. A head tilt chin lift performed after the convulsion will keep the tongue from blocking the airway.

A person in convulsions will lose bladder control therefore maintaining privacy is also important.

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.