Surviving the Heat: Understanding the Risks to Your Heart

Deborah FarlowBlog

As the summer sun beats down relentlessly, it’s crucial to be aware of the dangers posed by extreme heat, especially if you have underlying heart conditions. Heatwaves not only test our endurance but also place significant stress on our cardiovascular systems, increasing the risk of heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and strokes. Understanding these risks and taking proactive steps before an adventure, such as investing in an AED and learning CPR/First Aid Training, can make all the difference in staying safe this summer. Heart Conditions and Heat: A Dangerous Combination Extreme heat affects everyone, but those with heart conditions are particularly …

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. …

How to Respond to an Emergency

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

How to Respond to an Emergency: Step-by-Step Would you know how to handle an emergency? Here is a brief step-by-step guide to remind you how to handle yourself and others when it comes to an emergency situation: Remain Calm The most important thing when facing an emergency is to remain calm. Remaining calm will help anyone else involved in the situation present their selves in the best way to move forward to help those affected and potentially save lives. Keep People Away from the Site and Situation When an emergency occurs it can draw a lot of attention. It is …

Songs to Save Lives

Sky MattixBlog, First Aid

Songs to Save Lives Did you know one of your all-time favourite songs could help you save a life one day? Or even save your life one day? Cardiac arrest can happen at any time, any age or any place, which is why it is important to be as prepared as possible. If there is no defibrillator or emergency personnel around, call 9-1-1 and begin CPR. CPR could potentially save lives as taking immediate life-saving action can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. If you wish to learn more about CPR you can check out any of our …

Which AED is Right for Me?

Sky MattixBlog, First Aid

Which AED is right for me? Shopping for a defibrillator can seem quite intimidating due to all of the different models, manufacturers and high prices. First Aid Canada is happy to provide four different types of defibrillators; all of which are trustworthy, easy to use and set at appropriate prices. This blog is designed to help you discover the best defibrillator for your life and your needs. Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator Are you looking for a defibrillator for the home? Defibrillators for the home are highly recommended with for individuals with health and heart concerns. If heart disease is a …

The Importance of First Aid Training

Sky MattixBlog, First Aid

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 …

How to Make Your Restaurant a Safer Place

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Are you in the service industry? Well then this blog is sure to come in handy. Here are some of our greatest tips on how to keep your work environment a safe one: Blue Detectable Bandages  Have you ever been served a dish with something unpleasant and unexpected in it, for example, a hair? It completely ruins your meal and sometimes even your entire appetite. Could you imagine finding a bandage in your dish? Horrible thought, isn’t it? First Aid Canada proudly supplies restaurants with blue detectable bandages. These bandages are bright blue in colour and come in a variety …

Understanding The Difference: Heart Attacks vs. Cardiac Arrest

Sky MattixBlog, Health

Giving Back: In October 2014 the First Aid Canada Team gave back in the form of first aid supplies to underprivileged communities in Honduras through the organization The Friends of Honduran Children. The FOHC is a non-profit organization based in Peterborough, Ontario. The organization is committed to the delivery of sustainable programs to the impoverished children and families in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Among the several services intended to break the cycle of inequality and poverty in this population, medical brigades is one way to contribute. This past October (2014), a health promotion brigade consisting of an interdisciplinary team including nursing students from Trent University, travelled to Honduras …