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 …

Regular Maintenance is Key for a Working Portable Defibrillator

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Having a portable defibrillator on site is the first step to saving a life but it doesn’t end there. Did you know creating a routine maintenance program and adhering to that program is the only way to be sure that it is ready to use? Defibrillators are the only item that can reliably help resume normal cardiac function, so it is important that such a device works when you need it. For most office environments, most manufacturers recommend checking your device once a month, making a note of any replacements that are required during the course of the inspection and …

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, …

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 …

Family First Aid & Heart Safety in the Home

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Family First Aid & Heart Safety in the Home Because it is officially #HeartMonth 2018 the First Aid Canada team feels it is important to kindly address safety within the home. The home is a place we spend a large amount of our time each day and night. Both family and friends will continually be guests the home so it is important to be prepared with a first aid kit and an automated external defibrillator.  Below you will find our reccomendations for transforming your home into a fully prepared and safe one! First Aid Kits & Supplies First Aid Canada is …

It’s Officially #HeartMonth 2018!

Sky MattixBlog, News

It’s Officially #HeartMonth 2018! What is Heart Month? Heart month happens every February! Heart Month is meant to spread awareness of heart disease and stroke to promote prevention, and at the same time raise money for research on the best treatments when people do get it.  Who is behind 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 in the battle against these two preventable killers. Since its inception, tens of thousands of individuals and both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations take part including, various …

Why Everyone Should Know How to Operate a Defibrillator

Sky MattixBlog, First Aid

Why Everyone Should Know How to Operate a Defibrillator Unfortunately, Sudden Cardiac Arrest continues to be a leading killer worldwide. Regardless of age, health or location SCA continues to strike unexpectedly, thus it is important to be prepared. The First Aid Canada Team highly recommends defibrillators in community centres and public settings, as well as in the home. For every minute someone has to wait before defibrillation after suffering SCA, their chance of survival decreases by 10% making an AED onsite crucial for saving lives.  If you are unfamiliar with how an Automated External Defibrillator works, check out our blog: …

Does Your Child’s School Have a Defibrillator?

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Does Your Child’s School Have a Defibrillator Onsite? In our previous blog How to be Prepared for Back-to-School Sports we touched on the importance of adequate first aid supplies within sporting facilities, which included Automated External Defibrillators. Because having an AED onsite can mean the difference between life and death 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 …

4 Ways to Fundraise for an Automated External Defibrillator

Sky MattixBlog, Giving Back

4 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 …

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 …

NEW 2015 CPR/AED Guidelines

Sky MattixBlog, 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 …

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 …