kelowna first aid « Kelowna First Aid Courses CPR Course 2508786690 Penticton Vernon BC Red Cross

June 16, 2010

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

kelowna first aid

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.

Comments (0)

June 13, 2010

Kelowna First Aid 250.878.6690 Vernon Penticton Kamloops BC Red Cross

Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank, West Side, Westside, Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops Red Cross Courses CPR Training ( St John Courses Equivalent )

kelowna first aid

Nosebleeds Overview

Nosebleeds can be dramatic and frightening. Fortunately, most nosebleeds are not serious and usually can be managed at home, although sometimes medical intervention may be necessary. Nosebleeds (epistaxis) are categorized based on where they originate, and are described as either anterior (originating from the front of the nose) or posterior (originating from the back of the nose).

Anterior nosebleeds make up more than 90% of all nosebleeds. The bleeding usually originates from a blood vessel on the nasal septum. Anterior nosebleeds are usually easy to control, either by measures that can be performed at home or by a doctor.

Posterior nosebleeds are much less common than anterior nosebleeds. They tend to occur more often in elderly people. The bleeding usually originates from an artery in the back part of the nose. These nosebleeds are more complicated and usually require admission to the hospital and management by an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist).

One out of every seven people will develop a nosebleed at some time in their lives. Nosebleeds tend to occur more often during winter months and in dry, cold climates. They can occur at any age, but are most common in children aged 2-10 years and adults aged 50-80 years. For unknown reasons, nosebleeds most commonly occur in the morning hours.

Comments (12)

June 12, 2010

Kelowna First Aid 250.878.6690 First Aid Kelowna Standard first aid, Child Care, Emergency

Filed under: Kelowna Events — Tags: first aid bc kelowna, first aid course kelowna, first aid kelowna, kelowna bc first aid, kelowna cpr, kelowna cpr c, kelowna first aid, kelowna first aid course, kelowna first aid courses — admin @ 7:47 pm

Kelowna First Aid Course Call to Register 250.878.6690 ( Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops, Merritt, Westbank ) Red Cross

kelowna first aid

What is the best way to care for a cut or scrape?

The first step in the care of cuts and scrapes is to stop the bleeding. Most wounds respond to gentle direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for approximately 10-20 minutes. If this fails to stop the bleeding or if bleeding is rapid you should seek medical assistance.

The next step is to thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water. Remove any foreign material, such as dirt or bits of grass, that might be in the wound and which can lead to infection. You may use tweezers (clean them with alcohol first) to remove foreign material from the wound edges, but do not dig into the wound as this may push bacteria deeper into the wound. You may also gently scrub the wound with a washcloth to remove dirt and debris. Hydrogen peroxide and providone-iodine (Betadine) products may be used to clean the wound initially, but may inhibit wound healing if used long-term.

Cover the area with a bandage (such as gauze or a Band-Aid) to help prevent infection and dirt from getting in the wound. A first aid antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin or Neosporin can be applied to help prevent infection and keep the wound moist.

Continued care to the wound is also important. Three times a day, wash the area gently with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. Also, change the bandage immediately if it gets dirty or wet.

Comments (2)

June 11, 2010

Kelowna First Aid Course Safety Courses Vernon to register Red Cross CPR Courses 250.878.6690

Filed under: kelowna aed, kelowna child care first aid, kelowna cpr, kelowna emergency first aid — Tags: a, kelowna first aid, west kelowna first aid, west kelowna first aid course, west side first aid course, westbank cpr, westbank cpr b, westbank cpr c, Westbank First Aid, westbank first aid course — admin @ 1:39 pm

Need-to-Know Numbers

During an emergency, it’s easy to become disoriented and upset, so you need to have all important phone numbers readily available ahead of time.

Write each phone number clearly so that it will be easy for kids to read. Use a pen with dark-colored ink or type it on the computer because pencil or light-colored ink can be harder to read when you’re in a hurry or if lights are dim. If you choose to create your own phone list, make sure it includes these numbers:

emergency medical services: In most places this is 911, but your community may have its own number — check your telephone book if you’re unsure.
poison control center: 1-800-567-8911. This toll-free number will put you in touch with the poison control center in your area.
hospital emergency room
fire department
police department
your child’s doctor
parents’ work
parents’ cell phone and/or pager
neighbors and/or relatives

Your list should also include known allergies (especially to any medication), medical conditions, and insurance information for all members of the family.

Because accidents can happen in any part of the home, make copies of the completed list and post one near every telephone in the house. Be sure to carry one with you, and keep one in the car as well. In addition, make sure that people who come to the house to watch your children (babysitters or relatives, for example) familiarize themselves with the list.

Comments (2)

June 7, 2010

Kelowna CPR Red Cross Courses Standard, Child Care CPR 250.878.6690

Filed under: Kelowna Events, Kelowna First Aid, kamloops first aid course, kelowna aed, kelowna child care first aid, kelowna cpr, kelowna emergency first aid — Tags: first aid west kelowna, first aid westbank, kelowna 1st aid, kelowna cpr, kelowna first aid, kelowna first aid training, okanagan first aid, west kelowna cpr c, west kelowna first aid, west kelowna standard first aid, Westbank First Aid — admin @ 10:17 am

Kelowna First Aid Westbank West Kelowna First Aid Courses call 250.878.6690 to register for red cross course ; standard child care emeregency ofa level 1 2 or 3.

Under normal conditions, we all lose some body water every day in our sweat, tears, urine, and stool. Water also evaporates from our skin and leaves the body as vapor when we breathe. We usually replace this body fluid and the salts it contains with the water and salts in our regular diet.

Sometimes, however, kids lose abnormally large amounts of water and salts through fever (more water evaporates from the body when body temperature is increased), diarrhea, vomiting, or long periods of exercise with excessive sweating. Some illnesses might also prevent them from taking fluids by mouth. If they’re unable to adequately replace the fluid that’s been lost, kids can become dehydrated.

Recognizing Dehydration

If your child has fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, or is sweating a lot on a hot day or during intense physical activity, you should watch for signs of dehydration, which can include:

dry or sticky mouth
few or no tears when crying
eyes that look sunken into the head
soft spot (fontanelle) on top of baby’s head that looks sunken
lack of urine or wet diapers for 6 to 8 hours in an infant (or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine)
lack of urine for 12 hours in an older child (or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine)
dry, cool skin
lethargy or irritability
fatigue or dizziness in an older child

Preventing Dehydration

The best way to prevent dehydration is to make sure kids get plenty of fluids when they’re sick or physically active — they should consume more fluids than they lose (from vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating).

How you keep a child adequately hydrated can depend on the circumstances. For example, a child with a sore throat may become dehydrated due to difficulty drinking or eating. Easing the pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help, while cold drinks or popsicles can soothe a burning throat while also supplying fluids.

Comments (12)

June 6, 2010

Summerland First Aid Course Penticton First Aid Merritt CPR 250.878.6690

Summerland first aid peachland first aid merritt first aid kamloops first aid red cross courses standard first aid training emergency first aid courses cpr c cpr b cpr a

First aid is the assistance given to an injured or sick person in need of urgent medical assistance. First aid applies to a broad range of medical situations and consists both of specific knowledge and skills (for example, what to do for each type of injury or illness) and the ability to assess a situation and make appropriate decisions (such as when to call for emergency medical assistance).

Preparedness is a key element of first aid. While every home, auto, and boat should be equipped with a basic emergency kit that includes first aid supplies and a first aid manual, special circumstances may necessitate more advanced or specific degrees of preparation for an emergency. For example, residents of certain geographic areas where natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, landslides, or tsunamis) may occur should prepare for emergencies by assembling disaster preparedness kits such as earthquake kits, flood kits, and evacuation kits.

Travelers should also prepare to administer first aid in the region they plan to visit. In many developed countries, this may amount to packing a standard first aid kit and manual with your belongings. Medicines to prevent motion sickness and advanced awareness about the management of traveler’s diarrhea are also helpful to travelers. In the developing world or in remote regions, a travel medicine kit should include medicines and supplies that may not be available for purchase as well as any specific products (such as insect repellant to prevent mosquito and tick bites) needed for your destination. It’s also important for travelers in foreign countries to learn how to access emergency services by telephone.

Being prepared to administer effective first aid can also involve learning specific skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or abdominal thrusts to assist chokingvictims. First aid may be required for medical emergencies such as heart attack, stroke, orseizures as well as for minor medical conditions like nosebleedand mild allergic reactions. Environmental injuries (sunburn, poison ivy, heat exhaustion, frostbite, bee orinsect stings) and traumatic injuries (strains, sprains,burns, puncture wounds, and cutsas well as more severe internal injuries) are other situations where first aid skills can be invaluable.

Regardless of your level of skill or degree of first aid training, if you find yourself in a true medical emergency, always call 911 for emergency medical assistance immediately.Likewise, if you are involved in any medical situation that is beyond your personal abilities to provide first aid, you should never hesitate to summon emergency medical assistance right away.

Comments (2)

June 5, 2010

Vernon First Aid Courses or Kelowna First Aid Courses Red Cross Call to register 250.878.6690

Filed under: kelowna child care first aid, kelowna cpr, kelowna emergency first aid — Tags: cold sores, kelowna, kelowna colds, kelowna first aid, kelowna first aid course, Kelowna First Aid Supplies, penticton first aid, summerland cpr, Summerland First Aid, summerland first aid course, vernon cpr, vernon first aid, vernon first aid supplies — admin @ 6:15 pm

Kelowna first Aid Courses, penticton,Peachland,Salmon Arm Kamloops and Now Vancouver and Lower Mainland Call 250.878.6690 or 604.628.7997

Cold Sore Symptoms

Some patients have a “prodrome,” which is when certain symptoms occur before the actual sores appear. The prodrome to herpes infections typically involves a burning or tingling sensation that precedes the appearance of blisters by a few hours or a day or two. As the cold sore forms, the area may become reddened and develop small fluid-filled blisters. Several of these small blisters may even come together and form one large blister. Cold sores are mildly painful.
When cold sores recur, the blisters dry up rapidly and leave scabs that last anywhere from a day to several days, depending on the severity of the infection.

Comments (2)

June 2, 2010

Kelowna First Aid Courses Red Cross Vernon, Penticton Peachland, Summerland call to register 250.878.6690 www.okanaganfirstaid.com

Filed under: Kelowna Events — Tags: cpr kelowna, first aid kelowna, first aid vernon, kamloops first aid, kelowna cpr c, kelowna first aid, kelowna ofa 1, kelowna ofa 3, kelowna ofa1, Kelowna Standard First Aid, ofa kelowna, peachland first aid, penticton first aid, vernon cpr, vernon first aid, west kelowna first aid, Westbank First Aid — admin @ 11:46 am

Kelowna First Aid, Vernon First Aid, Penticton First Aid, Kamloops First Aid, Peachland first aid, Westbank First Aid, West Kelowna First Aid

When A Child Needs Help

When a child is choking, it means that an object — usually food or a toy — is lodged in the trachea (the airway) and is keeping air from flowing normally into or out of the lungs.

The trachea is usually protected by a small flap of cartilage called theepiglottis. The trachea and the esophagus share an opening at the back of the throat, and the epiglottis acts like a lid, snapping shut over the trachea each time a person swallows. It allows food to pass down the esophagus and prevents it from going down the trachea.

But every once in a while, the epiglottis doesn’t close fast enough and an object can slip into the trachea. This is what happens when something goes “down the wrong pipe.”

Most of the time, the food or object only partially blocks the trachea and it’s likely that it will be coughed up and that breathing will be restored easily. A child who seems to be choking and coughing but is still able to breathe and talk probably will recover unassisted. It can be uncomfortable and upsetting, but the child is generally fine after a few seconds.

Sometimes, though, an object can get into the trachea and completely block the airway. If airflow into and out of the lungs is blocked, and the brain is deprived of oxygen, choking can become a life-threatening emergency.

A child may be choking and need help right away if he or she:

is unable to breathe
is gasping or wheezing
is unable to talk, cry, or make noise
turns blue
grabs at his or her throat or waves arms
appears panicked

In those cases, immediately start abdominal thrusts the standard rescue procedure for choking, if you’ve been trained to do it properly.

Comments (0)

May 8, 2010

Kelowna First Aid Course 250.878.6690 Red Cross First Aid Courses Standard Child care or Emergency Register Today

How to Treat a Sunburn – Okanagan First Aid Course – Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Peachland

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.

Time Required: Up to several days

Here’s How:

Get out of the sun. Staying in the sun after the burn is present will make it worse.
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.
Apply aloe or another cooling agent. Whatever you use - DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN!
Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for the pain of a sunburn. If stronger pain relief is needed, contact a physician or go to the emergency department.

Tips:

Burns cause swelling. Burns of the face and neck can sometimes swell enough to cause difficulty breathing. If that happens, call 911 immediately.
Burns that completely circle the hands or feet may cause such severe swelling that blood flow is restricted. If swollen or tight hands and feet become numb and tingly, blue, cold, or “fall asleep,” then call 911 immediately.
While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing like silks or light cottons. Harsher fabrics will irritate the skin even more.
Too much sun can also cause heat illness. Learn how to recognize and treat heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Comments (0)

April 11, 2010

Kelowna First Aid Course 250.878.6690 Red Cross CPR Emergency, Child Care, Standard First Aid Courses

Kelowna First Aid Course – Next Courses April 25.2010 Call to Register 250.878.6690 link = kelowna first aid

Concussions.

The term concussion conjures up the image of a child knocked unconscious while playing sports. But concussions — temporary loss of brain function — can happen with any head injury, often without any loss of consciousness. And many head injuries occur off the playing field, in car and bicycle accidents, in fights, and even routine calamities and falls.

Kids who sustain concussions usually can recover within a week, without lasting health problems, by following certain precautions and taking a breather from sports.

But a child with an undiagnosed concussion can be at risk for brain damage and even disability.

If your child does sustain a head injury, even without a loss of consciousness, it’s important to watch for symptoms of a concussion, including:

a change in mental state
a bad headache
confusion
repeated vomiting

A child with these symptoms should be taken to the emergency room.

About Concussions

The brain is made of soft tissue and is cushioned by spinal fluid. It is encased in the hard, protective skull. The brain can move around inside the skull and even bang against it. If the brain does bang against the skull — for example, if a child hits his or her head on the sidewalk — the brain can get bruised, blood vessels can be torn, and the nerves inside the brain can be injured. These injuries can lead to a concussion, which is the temporary loss of brain function.

There are three different types, or grades, of concussions. The severity of a concussion determines the length of time needed before a player can safely return to sports activities:

Grade 1 concussions involve no loss of consciousness and cause a temporary change in mental state, like confusion, disorientation, and trouble focusing, which resolves within about 15 minutes.
Grade 2 concussions are similar but the change in mental state lasts longer than 15 minutes.
Grade 3 concussions include a loss of consciousness, regardless of how long they last.

Head injuries that result in concussions can be caused by car, bike, and motorcycle accidents; falls; assaults; and contact sports (football, ice hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, basketball, wrestling, field hockey, rugby, soccer, softball, baseball, etc.).

Comments (2)

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Aug
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31