First Aid News, Advice and information about CPR & 1st Aid

EFR Guidelines Changes, Part I: AB-CABS
Recent PADI Training Bulletins and EFR The Responder newsletters announced that greater emphasis on early and effective chest compressions was the main aim of the 2010 ILCOR (International Liaison Council on Resuscitation) Guidelines. You’ll notice therefore that the traditional ABCs order of priority care in EFR courses has been expanded to the new order of AB-CABS, continuing the steps into a Cycle of Care (rather than the patient’s lifeline).

The AB portion of AB-CABS reminds emergency responders to quickly check if the patient’s Airway is open and if he is Breathing normally. If not, the responder moves straight into delivering Chest Compressions, opening the Airway and then Breathing for the patient (30:2). If he is breathing normally, then the responder can move further in the Cycle of Care, i.e. the S to check for Serious Bleeding, Shock and Spinal Injury.

EFR Guidelines Changes, Part II: Regional Resuscitation Councils and Organisations
Regional resuscitation councils and organisations use agreed upon ILCOR emergency protocols for their specific regions. The following entities distribute guidelines for the listed regions:
• AHA (American Heart Association): Americas, United States, Canada, Asia, the Pacific Island Countries
• ARC/NZRC (Australia and New Zealand Resuscitation Councils): Australia, New Zealand
• ERC (European Resuscitation Council): UK, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Russia

An Unhealthy Heart - Some surprising early warning signs you may not be aware of ?
(Article submitted 09.07.2011)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were some early warning signs that you heart may be unhealthy ? Most people are familiar with the regular advice seen in hospitals and doctor's waiting rooms, but new research has come up with some suggestions that might point towards an impending heart attack. Here are some surprising clues that may indicate that you should get a check from your Doctor.

If it feels like you pulled a muscle in the side of your neck and it won't go away, it could indicate that you're mistakenly diagnosing a muscle strain for the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy heart situation.
Note: The pain feels like it's radiating out in a line, rather than located in one very specific spot, and it doesn't go away with ice, heat, or muscle massage.

Men who have trouble achieving or sustaining an erection is also associated with coronary heart disease. Research shows that men suffering from erectile dysfunction were also later diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
Note: If you have problems getting or maintaining an erection, that's reason enough to visit your doctor to investigate cardiovascular disease as an underlying cause.

Surveys show that up to 40% of women experienced shortness of breath days before suffering a heart attack. You may feel like you can't breathe, feel faint or dizzy, especially from light exercise that previously didn't cause you any trouble.
Note: If shortness of breath is caused by lung disease, it usually comes on gradually as lung tissue is damaged by smoking or environmental factors. If heart or cardiovascular disease is the cause, the shortness of breath may come on much more suddenly with exertion and will go away when you rest.

It's commonly accepted that heart attacks cause pain in the chest, however, it can also be associated with the abdomen. Women particularly, can experience bouts of heartburn, severe indigestion and nausea as early warning signs of a heart attack or myocardial infarction.
Note: Like all types of angina, the abdominal pain associated with a heart problem is likely to worsen with exertion and get better with rest. Also, you're likely to experience repeated episodes, rather than one prolonged episode as you would with normal indigestion or food poisoning.

An ongoing pain in the jaw can be an early trigger to alert you of coronary artery disease (CAD). The pain may extend along the jawline to the ear and may be difficult to determine where the pain originates. Many post heart attack patients have expressed these symptoms just days before an attack.
Note: The pain doesn't normally feel like it's in one isolated spot but rather like it's radiating outward in a line. The pain may extend down to the shoulder and arm, particularly on the left side, and treatments such as massage, ice, and heat don't affect it.

American Heart Association - Latest Guidelines for ECC (emergency cardiac care)
(Article submitted 16.04.2011)
The most current cpr guidelines based on the American heart Association's recent recommendations (April 2011) are produced in accordance with the AHA, ERC and ARC as part of ongoing research by ILCOR (The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation). CPR techniques vary slightly when applied to adult, child and infant mannequins, but the rate and ratio remains constant for all three versions. Please note: CPR should not be performed on a person who does not need it! (One Rescuer Adult CPR Guidelines)
1) Activate the Emergency Medical Services using the appropriate phone number
2) Having determined that the patient is not breathing and assuming that he/she is positioned on his/her back laying on a firm surface, begin CPR using the correct hand placement
3) Find the compression sight or landmark by sliding two fingers along the bottom of the rib cage until they meet the bottom of the breast bone. Place two fingers on the lower end of the sternum and then place the heel of the other hand next to it in the middle of the chest. If you have difficulty finding the correct hand placement, use an imaginary line drawn between the nipples
4) Interlock your two hands and keep the arms straight with your shoulders directly above the center of the compression sight
5) Provide 30 chest compressions, then open the airway and give two breaths. If you suspect possible drowning, begin with CPR with rescue breaths before chest compressions
6) Compress the adults chest to a depth of at least five centimeters (two inches) and giving compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute
7) To minimize interruptions in the chest compressions, if there is more than one rescuer present, continue CPR while the Automated External Defibrillator is switched on and the pads are being placed on the patient
8) If you are unable or unwilling to give a non-breathing patient rescue breaths, chest compressions alone are very beneficial to a patient without a heartbeat. If you provide continuous chest compressions you may still help to circulate some oxygenated blood
9) First Aid Tip: Adequate care provided is better than perfect care withheld

Some Information and Warning Signs of a Stroke
(Article submitted 26.02.2011)
TIA or 'transient ischaemic attacks' are mini strokes that can become a medical emergency and are usually caused by a blockage of the normal flow of blood to the brain. The clot blocks the artery which deprives the brain of oxygen and is the same as a stroke, but a TIA is usually a temporary blockage of a few minutes up to a day.
About 20% of mini stroke sufferers can get a full blown stroke a few weeks later though many of these at risk don't get the recommended treatment, usually because of the symptoms subsiding after a relatively short period. In the United Kingdom, following heart disease and cancer, Strokes rank at number three for the cause of disability and death.

Warning Signs of Stroke & Mini Stroke (aka FAST)

• Face: facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• Arm: does it show weakness? - can the person raise both arms?
• Speech: problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
• Time: time to call EMS

Other signs and symptoms that are associated with TIA's and/or Strokes;
Weakness, numbness, pins and needles on one side of the body - an arm, leg or face
Blurred or disturbed vision in one or both eyes
Sudden memory loss or confusion
Slurred speech, or difficulty finding words

Recent study backs continuous chest compressions in resuscitation
(Article submitted 17.10.2010)
Chest compression position in CPR Official guidelines show that 30 chest compressions should be followed by two rescue breaths and concentrating on chest compressions rather than mouth-to-mouth when giving emergency resuscitation can produce better results, says research published in The Lancet, but training in how to give both chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breaths is the best option, experts say.

Quote - "Any CPR is better than no CPR. If you witness a cardiac arrest, dial the EMS immediately. Those trained in CPR should follow existing guidance of 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. Those not trained should start compressions and follow instructions until an expert arrives. The best solution, however, is for people to get trained in how to carry out chest compressions and rescue breaths so they can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved."

The British Heart Foundation says that being able to do CPR more than doubles the chances of survival.

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue
(Article submitted 01.10.2010)
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough...
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke and a cardiologist says if everyone who reads this spread the word then lives will be saved.

British Red Cross say teach children first aid
(Article submitted 13.09.2010)
Children should learn first aid skills to help friends who become dangerously drunk, the British Red Cross has said. The Red Cross wants to promote a broad range of first aid skills, but says the effects of alcohol are a key concern.
A member from the British Red Cross, said: "We need to ensure that every young person, irrespective of whether they have been drinking, has the ability and confidence to cope in a crisis."
Children can learn skills including the recovery position, to avoid someone choking on their own vomit, and resuscitation techniques. As well as dealing with alcohol-related problems, the campaign aims to help teach children how to help people with asthma attacks, head injuries, choking and epileptic seizures.

Convenient Approved Programs for a Confident Workforce
(Article submitted 19.08.2010)
All too often, it’s an accident, illness or disaster that demonstrates how important it is to prepare our employees for medical emergencies. In fact, emergencies strike with little warning, and you’re either prepared . . . or not. Every company needs to consistently reappraise its emergency preparedness:
Would your employees respond in a medical emergency confidently and correctly?
Does your company comply with CPR, first aid and AED (automated external defibrillator) training workplace regulatory standards?
Are your employees up-to-date with the latest recommendations in CPR, first aid and AED use?
Emergency First Response can make sure you can answer these questions with "yes".

Emergency First Response Workplace Courses
(Article submitted 23.07.2010)
The Emergency First Response First Aid at Work (Asia Pacific) programme is WorkCover NSW approved and includes CPR, AED and First Aid at Work training. We specialise in providing companies like yours with a complete, ongoing solution to maintaining emergency preparedness and meeting CPR and first aid training standards in the workplace. For your
convenience, it is possible to arrange our instructors to come to your facility to train your staff. Alternatively you may find it more cost and schedule effective for us to train some of your employees as Emergency First Response Instructors. We can also assist you with placing AEDs in your facility and training your employees to use them.

Innovative Instruction Methods
(Article submitted 11.05.2010)
Based on modern instructional system design, our courses offer delivery flexibility, including independent study options that optimise scheduling and make the best use of instructor-to-student contact time. Many companies find this provides the best learning results with the fewest schedule disruptions. Of course, Emergency First Response courses work perfectly if conventional classroom presentations work well for you.

Ready to Get Started? The time to prepare for an emergency is now because, unfortunately, we never know when an emergency will arise.
Contact your nearest Emergency First Response Training Organisation