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.

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.

1. Get out of the sun. Staying in the sun after the burn is present will make it worse.
2. 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.
3. Take a cool shower or bath to soothe the pain.
4. Apply aloe or another cooling agent. Whatever you use - DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN!
5. 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.

1. Burns cause swelling. Burns of the face and neck can sometimes swell enough to cause difficulty breathing. If that happens, call 911 immediately.
2. 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.
3. While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing like silks or light cottons. Harsher fabrics will irritate the skin even more.
4. Too much sun can also cause heat illness. Learn how to recognize and treat heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Home Safety and a First Aid Kits

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment’s notice. You should keep one first-aid kit in your home and one in each car. Also be sure to bring a first-aid kit on family vacations.

Choose containers for your kits that are roomy, durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal, since they’re lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space.

Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:

• first-aid manual
• sterile gauze
• adhesive tape
• adhesive bandages in several sizes
• elastic bandage
• antiseptic wipes
• soap
• antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
• antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
• hydrocortisone cream (1%)
• acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)
• tweezers
• sharp scissors
• safety pins
• disposable instant cold packs
• calamine lotion
• alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
• thermometer
• plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
• flashlight and extra batteries
• mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
• your list of emergency phone numbers
• blanket (stored nearby)

After you’ve stocked your first-aid kits:

• Read the entire first-aid manual so you’ll understand how to use the contents of your kits. (If your children are old enough to understand, review the manuals with them as well.)
• Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children’s reach but easily accessible for adults.
• Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or medicines that may have expired.

Updated and reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007

Kelowna Jan 10.2010 – Kamloops Jan 09.2010

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A disposable BVM Resuscitator

A bag valve mask (also known as a BVM or Ambu bag) is a hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to a patient who is not breathing or who is breathing inadequately. The device is a normal part of a resuscitation kit for trained professional, such as ambulance crew. The BVM is frequently used in hospitals, and is an essential part of a crash cart. The device is used extensively in the operating room to ventilate an anaesthetised patient in the minutes before a mechanical ventilator is attached. The device is self-filling with air, although additional oxygen (O₂) can be added.

Use of the BVM to ventilate a patient is frequently called “bagging” the patient.^[1] Bagging is regularly necessary in medical emergencies when the patient’s breathing is insufficient (respiratory failure) or has ceased completely (respiratory arrest). The BVM resuscitator is used in order to manually provide mechanical ventilation in preference to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (either direct or through an adjunct such as a pocket mask).

The BVM directs the gas inside it via a one-way valve when compressed by a rescuer; the gas is then delivered through a mask and into the patient’s trachea, bronchus and into thelungs. In order to be effective, a bag valve mask must deliver between 500 and 800 milliliters of air to the patient’s lungs, but if oxygen is provided through the tubing and if the patient’s chest rises with each inhalation (indicating that adequate amounts of air are reaching the lungs), 400 to 600 ml may still be adequate.^[1] Squeezing the bag once every 5 seconds for an adult or once every 3 seconds for an infant or child provides an adequate respiratory rate (12 respirations per minute in an adult and 20 per minute in a child or infant).^[3]

Professional rescuers are taught to ensure that the mask portion of the BVM is properly sealed around the patient’s face (that is, to ensure proper “mask seal”); otherwise, air escapes from the mask and is not pushed into the lungs. In order to maintain this protocol, some protocols use a method of ventilation involving two rescuers: one rescuer to hold the mask to the patient’s face with both hands and ensure a mask seal, while the other squeezes the bag.^[4] However, as most ambulances have only two members of crew, the other crew member is likely to be doing compressions in the case of CPR, or may be performing other skills such as cannulation. In this case, or if no other options are available, the BVM can also be operated by a single rescuer who holds the mask to the patient’s face with one hand, in the anaesthetists grip, and squeezes the bag with the other.

When using a BVM, as with other methods of positive pressure ventilation, there is a risk of over-inflating the lungs. This can lead to pressure damage to the lungs themselves, and can also cause air to enter the stomach, causing gastric distention which can make it more difficult to inflate the lungs and which can cause the patient to vomit. This can be avoided by care on behalf of the rescuer. Alternatively, some models of BVM (usually Paediatric) are fitted with a valve which prevents over inflation, by venting the pressure when a pre-set pressure is reached. Nevertheless, cricoid pressure should be applied whenever possible until the patient is intubated or until ventilations have ceased.

An endotracheal tube (ETT) can be inserted by a trained practitioner and can substitute for the mask portion of the BVM. This provides a more secure fit and is easier to manage during emergency transport, since the ET tube is sealed with an inflatable cuff in the trachea, so that any regurgitation cannot enter the lungs. Such material can severely damage the lung tissue, and in the absence of an ET tube, could choke the patient by obstructing the airway. Inhalation of stomach contents can be fatal; the after effects can cause Mendelson’s syndrome or aspiration pneumonia.

Some rescuers may also choose to use a different form of resuscitation adjunt, such as an oropharyngeal airway or Laryngeal mask airway, which would be inserted and then used with the BVM.

In a hospital, long-term mechanical ventilation is provided by using more complex devices such as an intensive care ventilator, rather than by a BVM, which requires at least one person to operate it constantly.

A flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device (FROPVD) is similar to a BVM in that oxygen is pushed through a mask into the patient’s lungs, but unlike a BVM, in the FROPVD the pressure needed to push air into the patient’s lungs is generated by oxygen via a pressure regulator from a cylinder rather than by squeezing a bag.

Health and safety officer (OFA Level 3 Attendant) in Terms of Employment: Permanent, are usually Full Time,

Usual Salary: Dependant upon Location Range of $15.00 Hr – $75.00 Hourly

Usual Skills Required for OFA 3 Attendant

Skill Requirements: Education: Some high school, Completion of high school, Some college/CEGEP/vocational or technical training Credentials (certificates, licences, memberships, courses, etc.):

Association for Canadian Registered Safety Professionals Certification

Experience:

Experience an asset Languages: Speak English, Read English, Write English

Type of Inspection and Investigation: Hazardous products handling and storage, Workplace,

Work related accidents Specific Skills: Inspect workplaces for safety or health hazards, Investigate workplace accidents or illnesses

Transportation/Travel Information: Own vehicle, Valid driver’s licence, Own transportation

Work Site Environment: Outdoors Work Location Information: Urban area

Own Tools/Equipment: Tools, Safety equipment/gear, Steel-toed safety boots, Hard hat, Safety glasses/goggles Work Conditions and Physical Capabilities: Attention to detail, Hand-eye co-ordination

Some other courses may require you to work in oil patch industry; 

H2S alive training – Hydrogen Sulphide Training 

Petroleum Safety Training PST-CSTS,

Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)

Regional Orientation Program Oil Sands Safety association (OSSA)

Confined Space Level 1 – Pre-Entry

WHMIS – Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.

TDG – Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Below are the differences between WCB OFA level 1 Level 2 and Level 3 Courses.

Register for a first aid course 250.878.6690

www.okanaganfirstaid.com

Occupational First Aid Level 1

A basic one day/8 hour course covering the essential ABC’s – airway, breathing and circulation. How to deal with obstructed airways, breathing distress and control bleeding. One person CPR, minor wound care and records / reports are also part of the course.

Occupational First Aid Level 2

A 36 hour first aid course primarily designed for the urban first aid attendant but is applicable whenever the WorkSafe BC Regulations require certification to the OFA 2 Level.

Covers the basics of airway, breathing and circulation which includes how to deal with obstructed airways, breathing distress, bleeding control, Shock and one person CPR. In addition, patient assessment, hard collar application, upper limb splinting and minor wound care are covered.

Course fees include textbooks and Exams.

Written and practical exams are required after the course is completed. A minimum mark of 70% is required, on both the written and practical exams, to successfully complete the course.

Occupational First Aid Level 3

A 70-hour first aid course designed with the rural or attendant in heavy industry in mind. A prerequisite for employment with the BC Ambulance Service, many ski patrols and some Fire / Police Departments.

Covers the basics of airway, breathing and circulation – includes how to deal with obstructed airways, breathing distress, bleeding control, Shock and one and two person CPR. In addition, continuing patient assessment, hard collar application, securing a patient to a spine board, upper and lower limb splinting and minor wound care are covered. Completion of records and reports are an integral part of the course.

Course fees include textbooks and Exams.

Written and practical exams are required after the course is completed. A minimum mark of 70% is required, on both the written and practical exams, to successfully complete the course. Course medical required.