First Aid Kit Recommendations for Winter Sports

tempfirstaidBlog, Sports Safety

First Aid Kit Reccomendations for Winter Sports With the winter in full force across Canada it is important to know how to stay safe when you’re having fun this season! Mountain Sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiling When heading up the mountain whether it be for a day trip or a leisurely stay it is important to bring a long safety supplies to prepare yourself for an emergency. First Aid Canada recommends smaller kits, which can be carried on person such as our Adventure Kit or Belt Pack Kit. These kits are designed to treat minor injuries occurring in an outdoor setting. …

How to Recognize and Manage Allergic Reactions

tempfirstaidBlog, First Aid

How to Recognize and Manage Allergic Reactions  Recognizing an Allergic Reaction Allergic reactions happen when a person’s immune system overreacts to something usually harmless, such as food, pollen, bug stings/bites, or medications. Although very common, allergic reactions can be fatal so it is important to recognize the spectrum of symptoms occurring during an allergic reaction, what to do before help arrives and how to prevent incidences in the future. Mild Allergic Reactions: Hives Itchy skin Red, itchy eyes Nasal congestion, runny nose Rashes Moderate to Severe Allergic Reactions: Swelling of the hands, feet, lips, face, or throat Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, …

What did the First Aid Canada Team get up to in 2015?

tempfirstaidBlog, News

What did the First Aid Canada Team get up to in 2015?  Happy New Year! 2015 has been an amazing year for the First Aid Canada Team and we thought now would be an excellent time to share some of our favourite moments: Our first trade show of the year was the Restaurants Canada Show at the Direct Energy Center in Toronto, Ontario. This was the team’s second year attending the show and it was a great success! There was excellent crowd in attendance and even better eats to be enjoyed. We had “Choking Charlie,” at our side helping us …

How to Treat Burns

tempfirstaidBlog, First Aid

How to Treat Burns  Burns can occur more frequently over the holidays due to hazards such as Christmas lights, candles and holiday cooking. To prevent hospital visits it’s important to be prepared in the home to treat yourself if any burn-related accidents occur. First Aid Canada offers a few different options in regards to burn treatment: Water-Jel Cool Jel Water-Jel Cool Jel is a gel formulation that works quickly in emergency situations by cooling and soothing the inflicted area. The non-toxic and non-irritating gel formula also provides a protective barrier against bacteria to ensure protection against contamination. 2nd Skin Burn …

Signs, Symptoms & Treatment: Frostbite & Hypothermia

tempfirstaidBlog, First Aid

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 …

Facts to Know This Winter: Heart Attack in Men vs. Women

tempfirstaidBlog, Health

Facts to Know This Winter: Heart Attack in Men vs. Women   Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke (Statistics Canada, 2011c). Unfortunately, it is too often we hear of heart issues occurring in the winter, for example from shoveling snow. It is important to thoroughly understand what occurs inside the body during these incidences to know best practices on how to treat and respond to them.   Angina & Heart Disease: Angina (chest pain) is a strong warning sign of heart disease and if left untreated will eventually lead to a heart attack, stroke …

How to Rescue an Infant from Choking

tempfirstaidBlog, First Aid

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 …

Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe for the Holidays

tempfirstaidBlog, Safety

Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe for the Holidays With the winter season just around the corner it is important to think ahead and be prepared for what the cold weather entails…  In addition to Winter Road Safety, the First Aid Canada team feels in is important to address safety within the home. While family and friends frequent the house more during the holidays it is important to be prepared with an adequate first aid kit and possibly an automated external defibrillator. Whether it be Dad burning himself trying to help Mom out on the stove or stubbing a toe …

NEW 2015 CPR/AED Guidelines

tempfirstaidBlog, First Aid

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 …

All About the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

tempfirstaidBlog, Health

All About the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke 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 …

Tips for Staying Safe this Halloween

tempfirstaidBlog, Safety

Tips for Staying Safe this Halloween 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 …