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July 4, 2010

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Valuable information can be gained from looking a victim’s pupils. For this purpose, first aid kits should have a penlight or small torch in them.

Ideally, the pupils of the eye should be equal and reactive to light, usually written down as PEARL.

Pupils
Equal
And
Reactive to
Light

To check this, ask the victim to look straight at you with both eyes. Look to see if both pupils are the same size and shape (be sensitive to those who may be blind in one eye, or may even have a glass eye, although they will usually tell you).

To check if they are reactive, take the penlight, and ask the victim to look at your nose. Briefly (5 seconds or so) shield their eye with your hand from the light source where they are (sunlight, room lighting etc.), and then turn on the penlight, positioning it off to the side of their head. Move the penlight in over their eye quickly, and watch to see the size change. A normal reaction would be the pupil getting smaller quickly as the light is shone in to it. Repeat on the other eye.

If both pupils are the same, and both react, note this on your form as PEARL, or else note down what you did, or did not see.

June 26, 2010

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kelowna first aid

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Sunburn treatment starts with prevention. Correctly using sunscreen will help prevent burns. Make sure you know sunscreen myths versus facts when out in the sun.

Sunburns are caused by UV radiation rather than heat (ie, we get sunburns on cold, snowy days).

Sunburns destroy skin, which controls the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and protects us from infection.

Remember always, if you think a burn of any type is significant, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately.

Look for blisters. Blistering means the skin is completely damaged and complications are likely. If the area with blisters is bigger than one entire arm or the whole abdomen, seek medical attention by calling 911 or visiting the emergency department.

Take a cool shower or bath to soothe the pain. No more 1/10 th ebody should be cooled at once.

Apply aloe or another cooling agent with parental consent form. Whatever you use - DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN!

June 22, 2010

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Problems Backpacks Can Pose

Although many factors can lead to back pain — increased participation in sports or exercise, poor posture while sitting, and long periods of inactivity — some kids have backaches because they’re lugging around their entire locker’s worth of books, school supplies, and assorted personal items all day long. But most doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their packs.

To help understand how heavy backpacks can affect a kid’s body, it helps to understand how the back works. The spine is made of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as natural shock absorbers.

When a heavy weight, such as a backpack filled with books, is incorrectly placed on the shoulders, the weight’s force can pull a child backward. To compensate, a child may bend forward at the hips or arch the back, which can cause the spine to compress unnaturally. The heavy weight might cause some kids to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain.

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You’ve probably experienced waking in the middle of the night to find your child flushed, hot, and sweaty. Your little one’s forehead feels warm. You immediately suspect a fever, but are unsure of what to do next. Should you get out the thermometer? Call the doctor?

In healthy kids, fevers usually don’t indicate anything serious. Although it can be frightening when your child’s temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — it’s often the body’s way of fighting infections. And not all fevers need to be treated. High fever, however, can make a child uncomfortable and worsen problems such as dehydration.

Here’s more about fevers, how to measure and treat them, and when to call your doctor.

Fever Facts

Fever occurs when the body’s internal “thermostat” raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6° Fahrenheit or 37° Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way.

Most people’s body temperatures even change a little bit during the course of the day: It’s usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening and can fluctuate as kids run around, play, and exercise.

Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will “reset” the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause. So, why does the hypothalamus tell the body to change to a new temperature? Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body’s way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body a less comfortable place for them.

June 21, 2010

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The abdomen contains so many different organs that isolating stomach discomfort can be difficult. A helpful guide, especially when you are talking to your doctor, is to pinpoint the pain in terms of quadrants or sections. If your pain is:

Anywhere in the chest, behind the breast bone or in the throat, it could be simple indigestion, cramp caused by shallow breathing, hiatal hernia, heartburn or reflex oesophagitis.Inflammation and pain around the breastbone and upper abdomen, it could be a viral infection, which can cause inflammation and pain in a condition known as Bornholm disease. Like other viral infections, it will clear up with rest, relaxation, plenty of fluid, nourishing soups, extra vitamin C and so on.

In the chest, it should be taken seriously as it could be angina or the early signs of a heart attack especially if accompanied by pain in the arms.

Behind the shoulder blades, it could mean gall bladder trouble. If it strikes the upper right quadrant, consider gastroenteritis, gastritis, gallstones, ulcer or hiatus hernia.

In the upper left or lower left quadrant, it may be diverticular disease, constipation, ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome. The pain of hiatal hernia may also radiate to the lower left or right side under the ribcage.

In the lower right area of the abdomen, sharp pain could mean appendicitis whilst groaning discomfort could be Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

In the lower back or lower abdomen, it may indicate kidney problems, cystitis, diverticulis, pelvic inflammatory disease or period pains.

The pressure of trapped wind, it can be excruciating and deceiving. Not only does the discomfort move around, it can also be an amazing mimic, aping the pain of gallstones, appendicitis and a heart attack all within the space of an hour or two.

June 19, 2010

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Helmet Basics

P_whichBike_buttonBicycle helmet use should not be optional for anyone in your family, no matter where you are or how short the ride. In many states it’s the law.

Here’s why: Most bike accidents involve a head injury, so a crash could mean permanent brain damage or death for someone who doesn’t wear one while riding. In fact, each year in the United States, about half a million kids are seriously injured in bicycle-related accidents, and most of those injuries could have been avoided if a helmet was worn.

Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a helmet:

  • Pick bright colors that are visible to drivers and other cyclists.
  • Look for a helmet that’s well ventilated.
  • Make sure that the helmet has a CPSC or Snell sticker inside. These indicate that the helmet meets standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit group that tests helmet safety.
  • Make sure your child’s helmet fits correctly and can be adjusted.

P_helmet-fitYou should be able to get help finding a well-fitting helmet and adjusting it properly at any bicycle store.

When kids wear a helmet, make sure that the straps are fastened. Also make sure they don’t wear any other hat underneath it.

Be sure to replace any helmet made before 1999. If your child hits any surface hard while wearing a helmet, replace it — helmets lose their capacity to absorb shock after taking serious hits.

A few bike helmets can be used as protection for other activities, but in general, they’re best suited to biking. Most helmets are made for one specific type of activity — for example, special helmets also are made for inline skating, baseball, and snowmobiling.

Kids should not wear any helmet when they’re on a playground or climbing a tree — there is a risk of strangulation from the chin strap during these types of activities.

June 18, 2010

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Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxic shock

St john Amvulance Kelowna

St john Amvulance Kelowna

with other allergies, anaphylaxis can trigger symptoms in any of these four body systems:

  1. skin
  2. gastrointestinal system
  3. respiratory system
  4. cardiovascular system

An allergic reaction may be a medical emergency if it happens in two or more of these systems — hives on the skin, for example, together with stomach pain.

The most common signs that a child who has been exposed to an allergen might have anaphylaxis are:

  • difficulty breathing
  • tightness in the throat or feeling like the throat or airways are closing
  • hoarseness or trouble speaking
  • wheezing
  • nasal stuffiness or coughing
  • nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting
  • fast heartbeat or pulse
  • skin itching, tingling, redness, or swelling

June 17, 2010

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SAC1.JPG 300x285

What are the different kinds of casts?

A cast, which keeps a bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers — a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving.

These days, casts are made of either:

  • plaster of paris: a heavy white powder that forms a thick paste that hardens quickly when mixed with water. Plaster of paris casts are heavier than fiberglass casts and don’t hold up as well in water.
  • synthetic (fiberglass) material: made out of fiberglass, a kind of moldable plastic, these casts come in many bright colors and are lighter and cooler. The covering (fiberglass) on synthetic casts is water-resistant, but the padding underneath is not. You can, however, get a waterproof liner. The doctor putting on your child’s cast will decide whether a fiberglass cast with a waterproof lining is appropriate.

How is a cast put on?

First, several layers of soft cotton are wrapped around the injured area. Next, the plaster or fiberglass outer layer is soaked in water. The doctor wraps the plaster or fiberglass around the soft first layer. The outer layer is wet but will dry to a hard, protective covering. Doctors sometimes make tiny cuts in the sides of a cast to allow room for swelling.

Can plaster of paris casts get wet?

Absolutely not! A wet cast may not hold the bone in place because the cast could start to dissolve in the water and could irritate the skin underneath it, possibly leading to infection. So your child shouldn’t swim and should use a plastic bag or special sleeve (available online or sometimes at pharmacies) to protect the cast from water. And instead of a shower, your child may need to take a sponge bath.

Can synthetic (fiberglass) casts get wet?

Although the fiberglass itself is waterproof, the padding inside a fiberglass cast is not. So it’s still important to try to keep a fiberglass cast from getting wet. If this is a problem, talk to the doctor about getting a waterproof liner. Fiberglass casts with waterproof liners let kids continue bathing or even go swimming during the healing process. Although the liner allows for evaporation of water and sweat, it’s still fragile. Also, only certain types of breaks can be treated with this type of cast. Your doctor will determine if the fracture may be safely treated with a waterproof cast.

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The common fall is more dangerous than it may seem. While the majority leave behind no more than a few bumps, bruises, or scratches others can be the injury behind a concussion, broken bone, seizure and other unpleasant situations.

When a person falls, the first thing to do is make sure there are no serious and obvious injuries- no broken bones, heavy bleeding, seizures, and that the person is conscious. If the fall was ‘bad’ do not allow them to move until you are sure no injuries have been done to their head, neck, back, or hips.

If there seems to be a serious injury, like any of the ones listed above and more, call 911 for aid. Also call if you see any of these signs

Unconsciousness- even if it is very brief (concussion)

Becomes very sleepy or is difficult to wake up (concussion)

Walking in an abnormal fashion- off balance, dizzy (concussion)

Difficulty breathing

No breathing -begin CPR

Clear fluid or bleeding coming from nose, ears or mouth.

Complains of intense or increasing pain

Vomiting

Deep or large wounds

Trouble focusing eyesight, distorted vision. (concussion)

Odd behavior or symptoms

Irritable and oddly moody, nonstop crying.

If the fall does not seem to be an emergency, but the child is young, keep watch over them closely for the next 24 or so hours, to make certain that no symptoms of injury or strange behavior develop. If you fear a concussion, due to a fall involving the head, even if there are no symptoms always go see a doctor.

Prevention

Preventing falls, especially with young children is tough, but it there are ways to minimize risks. With very young children or infants, always trap them securely into strollers, car seats, high chairs, and onto changing tables. Discourage children from playing on furniture or jumping on beds. Active children should be taught to wear helmets and other safety pads when biking, skating, skiing, and climbing.

*** Before administering any first aid to anyone outside your family, be aware of your rights and responsibilities: The Good Samaritan Law. ***

June 16, 2010

Kelowna First Aid Westbank First Aid West Kelowna First Aid Penticton First Aid Vernon First Aid

kelowna first aid

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Seizures

A seizure is a sudden “episode” caused by an electrical problem in the brain. With a seizure, a person has change in awareness, body movements, or sensation

Signs & Symptoms

There are many types of seizures. Common types are:

  • A Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure. This is also called a grand mal seizure. A convulsion occurs with this type. Signs of a convulsion include:
  • Brief loss of consciousness. Falling down.
  • The arms and legs stiffen, jerk, and twitch.
  • This type usually lasts 1 to 2 minutes. When it ends, the person’s muscles relax. He or she may lose bladder control, be confused, have a headache, and fall asleep. This is the type most people think of with the word “seizure”.
  • An Absence Seizure. This is also called a petit mal seizure. A convulsion does not occur with this type. Signs of an absence seizure include:
  • Blank stares. It looks like the person is daydreaming or not paying attention.
  • Lip smacking. Repeated blinking, chewing or hand movements.
  • This type of seizure usually lasts only a few seconds, but can occur many times a day. When the seizure ends, the person is not confused, but is not aware that the seizure occurred.
  • Absence seizures are common in children and can result in learning problems.
  • A Fever (Febrile) Seizure. This type is brought on by a high fever in infants and small children. High fevers cause most seizures in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Signs are ones of a convulsion listed in the left column. Most febrile seizures last 1 to 2 minutes, but can last longer. Seeing a child have a febrile seizure causes alarm. In general, these seizures are harmless.
  • Causes

    Causes include epilepsy (a brain disorder), infections that cause a high fever, heat stroke, and electric shock. Head injury, stroke, and toxic substances can also cause a seizure. Sometimes the cause of a seizure is not known.

    Treatment

    Seizure disorders are treated with medication. Other medical treatments may be needed.

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