Cottage Season: Know Before You Go

Sky MattixBlog, First Aid

Cottage Season: Know Before You Go Spring has arrived and cottage season is officially in full swing. If you are one of the lucky ones and have a slice of paradise detached from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is likely you are starting to plan and prepare your upcoming adventure. It is no question, visiting a cottage requires a little bit of thought because realistically a remote location isn’t exactly ideal for last minute supplies and resources. Forgot your phone charger? Chances are the nearest store isn’t a brisk walk away. Surrounded by water, conservation and greenery, …

Inspecting Your First Aid Supplies

Sky MattixBlog, First Aid

Inspecting Your First Aid Supplies: What to Look For When was the last time you inspected your first aid kits? Did you know that it is recommended to inspect your first aid supplies at least once every three months? Although overlooked by many people, inspecting your first aid supplies is vital to ensure you are fully prepared to handle an emergency. The last thing you would want to happen when faced with a workplace injury or life-threatening event is to realize that your first aid kit or defibrillator is not fully equipped with the necessary supplies. Some things to keep in mind when inspecting your first aid …

3 Warning Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Sky MattixBlog, Health

3 Warning Signs of Cardiac Arrest Cardiac Arrest can happen at any age and at any time. Although these incidences can be extremely hard to predict there are three red flags or warning signs, which could save your life. 1. Dizzy Spells Having dizzy spells or passing out during exercise can be a telltale sign of a heart condition. Dizziness can be a sign that your heart’s rhythm isn’t functioning regularly which may cause you to collapse. Luckily if you collapse with enough consciousness to wake up this is most likely a sign your heart was strong enough to regain …

February is Heart Month

Sky MattixBlog, Health

What is Heart Month?  For over 60 years the Heart and Stroke Foundation has organized Heart Month. It is has become one of the largest fundraising campaigns in Canada. February is widely recognized as the month of love. Ahem, Valentine’s Day. It will come as no surprise that February is also a month dedicated to raising awareness for cardiovascular health. While it may be endearing to have your heart skip a beat for the love of your life or for your breath to be taken away, make sure the experience is one of love and not that of oxygen loss or abnormal heart rhythm. …

Halloween Safety Tips

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Halloween Safety Tips Trick-or-Treat! Halloween is just around the corner so the First Aid Canada Team is here to provide you with some safety tips to enjoy your night to the fullest, as well as safest: Tips for Children Trick or treat with you parents and/or groups of people If you are heading out without your parents be sure to give enough time to return home by curfew Wear reflective clothing or that which is vibrant colours Avoid wearing masks, opt for face paints instead Wait to cross the street at lights and cross walks and avoid from walking out …

Ice Hockey First Aid Recommendations

Sky MattixBlog, Sports Safety

   Ice Hockey First Aid Reccomendations With the hockey season beginning it’s time to get prepared! It is important to gel as a team and work together whether it be with skills or in the case of an emergency. Responsibilities every team has to maintain: Accurate medical information files on all players A player injury log even for small injuries A regulation first aid kit Additional responsibilities of a team: Bring the First Aid Kit to all team activities, ex. Off-ice training and away games Implement an effective Emergency Action Plan with your team and practice it regularly to ensure …

Stroke Awareness: Signs & Symptoms

Sky MattixBlog, Health

Stroke Awareness: Signs & Symptoms A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. There are two main types of stroke, this includes an ischemic stroke, caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain or a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by the rupture of blood vessels within the brain. Brain damage can occur from stroke because neurons of the affected area of the brain can die when they are deprived of oxygen and nutrients. When facing a stroke every second counts. By recognizing symptoms and acquiring treatment you can save yourself from brain damage. By knowing and understanding these symptoms one …

Defibrillators Save Lives in Schools

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Defibrillators Save Lives in Schools Having an AED onsite at school can mean the difference between life and death. Being September we felt it was important to go into detail of the value of having a defibrillator onsite within schools. Age Doesn’t Matter There is a common misconception when it comes to cardiac arrest, often people believe it can only occur in aging or unhealthy adults, when quite commonly children can suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. Often when cardiac arrest occurs in children it is related to a heart condition that had not yet been recognized or diagnosed, so a …

Back-to-School Sports Safety Checklist

Sky MattixBlog, Sports Safety

Back-to-School Sports Safety Checklist With September just around the corner, back-to-school means back to organized school sports! We thought it would be a great time to give our recommendations for being prepared in active indoor and outdoor environments. First Aid Kits Having an adequate and fully stocked First Aid Kit is a must. It is always important to be prepared for a variety of injuries. First Aid Canada is pleased to offer a variety of athletic and sports kits to best suit your needs and specific sporting environment. These kits contain the supplies needed to tend to various injuries such …

5 Ways to Fundraise for an Automated External Defibrillator

Sky MattixBlog, Giving Back

5 Ways to Fundraise for an Automated External Defibrillator With Automated External Defibrillators being a high priced item, yet essential for saving lives in heart-related emergencies it can be contemplative determining how and when to make the purchase. Defibrillator stories are continuously in the news and we are avid readers, Like us on Facebook for daily news stories related to lives saved by defibrillators and stories of how other people are fundraising for the cause worldwide. Luckily, the First Aid Canada team has put together a few ideas to help kick-start your fundraising campaign for a defibrillator: Community Bottle Drive Community bottle drives are …

Checklist: Summer Roadtrip

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Checklist: Summer Roadtrip The Summer brings beautiful weather and vacations! Whether you’ve planned a roadtrip up to cottage country or one across the country this checklist will come in handy: Route Check Before heading out on your adventure be sure to check the road conditions ahead, such as those affected by weather or accidents. There are apps such as Waze, which can come in very handy, even on a shorter commute to work. Waze is a GPS app which will alert you of smaller road conditions such as potholes, but also larger issues such as traffic jams or accidents. Vehicle Check …

How to Treat Insect and Wilderness Itches!

Sky MattixBlog, First Aid

How to Treat Insect & Wilderness Itches! If you’re checking out this blog it is most likely you missed last week’s blog on Preventing Unpleasant Insect Interactions and have found yourself in a sticky, or itchy situation! Luckily we have a few great products to introduce you to, which can help you in these situations: Solarcaine First Aid Lidocaine Spray Solarcaine First Aid Lidocaine Spray is a cooling spray by feeling, but also provides fast relief from pain associated with superficial wounds, minor burns, sunburn, wind burn and itching. This spray also contains aloe and vitamin E to soothe and rehydrate dry …