Did You Know? Dealing with the Heat

To avoid heat-related illnesses, you should:

ñ Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water and avoid caffeine and alcohol

ñ Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors

ñ Avoid direct exposure to the sun and seek shade and shelter at the first signs of heat exposure

ñ Wear lightweight and loose clothing

ñ Spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned location, including shopping malls, local libraries or neighbourhood community centres

ñ Never leave children, the elderly or pets unattended in a car, even with the windows partly rolled down

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.

Did You Know?: Animal Bites

Most common bite in Ottawa is an insect bite. The biggest concern with these is an allergic reaction. Most people are allergic to mosquitoes hence we get all itchy when we are bitten. Mosquitoes are also a concern for spreading the West Nile virus. Some people have severe allergic reactions to bees and/or wasp stings. The most important treatment is to prevent the sting from happening.

The next most common bite is from wild animals. Here the biggest concern is severe bleeding followed by rabies. Rabies is a disease that is spread from mammal. The most common carrier is the raccoon. Never feed wild animals. If you are bitten seek medical treatment immediately and report this to your local Health Department.

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.

Did You Know?: Workplace Choking

When anything can happen at a moment's notice, it's the acts of Good Samaritans that make a difference. For Nuclear Security Officer (NSO) Nicole Wleklinski, her Good Samaritan (and life saver) was fellow NSO Kevin Sprague. Kevin recently received the Canadian Red Cross Injury Prevention Rescuer Award for the event which transpired on Friday, March 11.


That morning, Nicole was working the MSB search floor. Not feeling well, she decided to take some Advil and vitamins to relieve her headache. As she swallowed them down with some water, she began to choke. The water came back up and she found she could not swallow or breathe. The pills were firmly lodged in her throat.


Shocked at what was happening, Nicole made her way into the side office where NSO Sprague was and began hitting her chest. Kevin immediately noticed something was wrong. He asked her if she was ok. Could she breathe? Could he help? Nicole couldn't speak. At that point, Kevin instructed Nicole he wanted to take off her vest to perform an abdominal thrust. Nicole nodded her agreement and, in just one thrust, the pills came out. Nicole could breathe. Shaken but ok, she declined further medical attention.


Recalling her ordeal, Nicole says, "I have said many thanks to NSO Sprague... I find the way in which he handled himself and the situation was beyond professional. He was so quick and reassuring, I don't know what I would have done had he not been there. I am forever grateful."
Recently, Margaret Maxwell from the Canadian Red Cross presented Kevin with the Canadian Red Cross Injury Prevention Rescuer Award. She stressed the importance of learning first aid to be able to think, react and improvise in emergency situations. 


First Aid & CPR skills are applicable in your daily life, both at home and at work, to prepare you to act on, control and manage life's emergencies. Before a professional responder arrives to help, you can make all the difference in helping someone in need.


Written by: Stacey McNeill | Darlington Nuclear Public Affairs

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.

Did You Know?: Water Safety

A study by the Canadian Red Cross shows infants and toddlers aged 1-4 years have among the highest drowning rates in Canada.

The Red Cross study showed that in nearly half of infant and toddler drownings, the victims were alone, 38 per cent occurred while toddlers were supervised by adults and 17 per cent occurred while they were supervised by minors.

The solution is security and supervision. There is no substitute for adult supervision. But adults also need to ensure that their backyard pools meet local fencing and safety requirements and safety equipment is on hand at all times.

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.

Did You Know?: Wear the Gear!

The arrival of spring and warmer temperatures bring cyclists, skateboarders and roller bladders back onto our roadways. Most people are aware that those under 18 years of age in Ontario are required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. What many people still don’t realize is that proper helmet usage is a lifesaver for all ages. With today’s crowded streets and bike paths helmets can prevent serious head injuries.

For those who roller blade or skateboard in addition to helmets wrist guards and knee pads can prevent serious bone, muscle and joint injuries.

Parents can set a good example by wearing the gear. After all who will take care of the children if the parents are injured?

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.

Did You Know?: Red Cross Responds in Iqualuit

On March 24th, 24 families were forced from their homes as flames consumed their apartment building, leaving them with little more than what they were wearing. Despite an outpouring of support from within the community, it quickly became clear that more supplies were needed in this remote, northern community.

Luckily, a Canadian Red Cross volunteer named Bill Walters, originally from Newfoundland but working in Iqaluit as a consultant, sprung into action. He saw the needs and spoke with Mayor Madeleine Redfern about the Canadian Red Cross, and the types of support provided when disaster strikes a community.

A Canadian Red Cross emergency response team was deployed from Ottawa to Iqaluit to help. Working with local vendors, families were provided with vouchers for food and clothing.  In the Arctic, where all supplies must be flown in, the high prices of goods required by the impacted families posed a unique challenge.

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.

Did You Know?: Strokes

A stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain gets interrupted. This can be caused by: a clot in an artery in the brain or an artery that bursts in the brain.

A stroke can be recognized by facial numbness or weakness (especially on one side), arm numbness or weakness (especially on one side), slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding. Other signs and symptoms are a sudden severe headache, dizziness or confusion.

To treat this person call 911 (or your emergency number), check their Airway, Breathing and Circulation. You should also place the person in the recovery position with the affected (weak) side up.

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.