Signs, Symptoms & Treatment: Frostbite & Hypothermia

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Frostbite Exposure to below-freezing temperatures causes frostbite. Frostbite can affect any area of the skin, however is most common in hands, feet, face and ears. It is important to understand the symptoms of frostbite to prevent this serious condition from progressing. Signs & Symptoms Aching pain Numbness Skin feels hard and waxy Skin is white and/or gray-yellowish in colour Treatment If you are without immediate medical attention and believed you are dealing with frostbite call a doctor right away. Begin by finding shelter, ideally indoors Do not attempt to thaw the frostbite as this can cause permanent damage Remove all …

How to be Prepared up the Mountain

tempfirstaidBlog, First Aid

Mountain Preparedness With the weather coming in full force towards winter Canadians are anticipating their visits to both local and destination slopes. Adventuring up the mountain can be an absolute blast from sledding, snowboarding and skiing to snowmobiling, tubing and snowshoeing – the fun is endless! Which is also one main reason why mountain goers should know how to be prepared:   BYOK – “Bring Your Own Kits” It is highly recommended to pack your own types of first aid supplies with you while hitting the slopes. You never know when and where you may find yourself in a situation …

How to Rescue an Infant from Choking

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How to Rescue an Infant from Choking The First Aid Canada team hopes you never have to be put into the position of saving an infant’s life, however it is valuable to know the steps on how to proceed if you ever find yourself faced with this reality. Choking: Step 1: Assess the Situation Is the infant crying or coughing? Is their face turning red or blue? If the infant is unable to cry or cough this means there is most likely something blocking their airway. Their skin may be turning bright red or blue. If the infant is coughing …

NEW 2015 CPR/AED Guidelines

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NEW 2015 CPR/AED Guidelines The ILCOR 2015 CPR/AED Guidelines for Adult Basic Life Support and CPR Quality: Lay Rescuer CPR Here’s what you need to know about changes: The crucial links in the out-of-hospital adult Chain of Survival are unchanged from 2010, with continued emphasis on the simplified universal Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) Algorithm. The Adult BLS Algorithm has been modified to reflect the fact that rescuers and activate emergency response (i.e. through the use of mobile telephone) without leaving the victim’s side. It is recommended that communities with people at risk for cardiac arrest implement PAD programs. Recommendations …

What to do if you knock out a tooth?

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First Aid for Knocked-Out Tooth No one wants to think about the possibility of having a tooth knocked out or picture it. However, with all things in life it is important to be educated when you feel this could be a danger, for example if you are a hockey player, cyclist or work in an environment where this could be a future risk. Step 1: Collect Teeth and/or Fragments Collect fragments Only touch the crown (top part of the tooth), be sure to not touch the root Rinse tooth gently if necessary Step 2: Re-Insert or Store Teeth Rinse tooth …

Tips for Babysitting First Aid

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Tips for Babysitting First Aid Being a responsible caretaker means being prepared. Feeling confident in your problem solving and first aid skills can allow you to relax and focus on the children you are caring for. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind while child-minding: Stay Focused It is important to keep your eyes on the children at all times while they are awake. There can be an assortment of hazards both indoors and outdoors with appliances, plants, animals, etc. If you are asked to complete an additional task by the parents while you are minding the …

The Importance of First Aid Training

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Why should you take a Standard First Aid Course? Many people respond with the fact that it is mandatory for a job or it looks good on a resume. Despite this being the most common response, most people don’t realize that participating in a first aid course not only trains you how to properly respond to emergencies but it also trains you to become a leader and perhaps one day save a life. Recently, Clayton Blackwood of Toronto decided to take charge and help save the life of a 30-year-old woman who was struck by a van: He was cycling …

Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun and Treating Burns

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Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun & Treating Burns As the weather heats up it’s important to keep sun safety in mind. Although the sun can be very enjoyable it’s important to understand the negative effects of prolonged exposure and how you can prevent it from causing you discomfort or long term effects.  Suntans and Sunburns Although it may be your summer goal, suntans are dangerous as they are a version of sun damage. Consistent or lengthy unprotected exposure to the sun can cause moderate to severe sunburns (ie. Radiation Burns). Even though suntans/burns do heal over time, prolonged …

How to Use Heat and Ice to Treat Injuries

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Reccomendations for Staying Safe at the Cottage There’s no better season than cottage season. With summer approaching quickly it’s important to be sure you’re ready for your first weekend of relaxation. First Aid Canada is here to provide you with the products to keep safe over the summer season in the comfort of your cottage. Below are the minumum, mandatory items each cottage kit should contain: The Basics (necessary items): Fabric Bandages Sterile Towelettes Antiseptic First Aid Ointment Gauze Pads Safety Pins Splinter-Out Tape Water-Jel Cool Jel (for burns) CPR Face Shield Croc Bloc Sunscreen Croc Bloc Insect Repellant AfterBite …

The SHOCKING Truth Behind AEDs

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You’ve seen them around. In the metal wall containers in subway stations, in malls and community centres…AEDs are everywhere. Why? Because they work. When your heart needs it, along with effective CPR, an AED can save your life by kickstarting your heart back to normal. To understand how, you have to know a bit about how your heart works. Your Heart is a Muscle It’s about the size of your fist and is in the upper left side of your chest (just off the centre). And your heart has an incredibly important function. It pumps blood to all areas of …

Great Canadian Tips for Staying Safe in the Winter

tempfirstaidBlog, First Aid

Winter in Canada is a special season. We pride ourselves on our snowy, long and ‘Canadian’ winter season. There are some reasons to be bitter (excuse the pun), but others reasons to rejoice. Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and tobogganing are some of the most fun you can have in a winter wonderland. But without protection from the cold temperatures in the form of a winter coat, hat, gloves and boots, our bodies would not function properly, and could be permanently damaged after extended exposure to the elements. Here we discuss some common, and potentially life threatening cold related injuries. HYPOTHERMIA …