First Aid and CPR Courses and Re-Certification in Saskatoon
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Things You Should Know Before You Babysit

April 14th, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Babysitting - (0 Comments)

What would you do if someone knocks at the door while you were babysitting? Would you know what to if the child started to choke? These are just two of the possible situations you can encounter while you are babysitting, and there are thousands more. The Babysitter Training Course by the Canadian Red Cross better prepares teens for their first babysitting job. This training course is offered to teenage kids ages 11 and up. It goes through all the possible scenarios, empowering young teens to properly care for children and ensure their safety.

Completing a babysitter course (find a first aid course here) does not only boost your chances at getting a babysitting job, it actually trains you on how to handle emergencies and how to make decisions for the safety of the Baby sitting photochildren. Furthermore, the training course equips you with basic first aid skills which can truly be lifesaving.

Some important things you can learn in a babysitting course include:

  • Going through the interview process for the job
  • Setting your rate
  • Caring for, feeding, dressing and holding a baby
  • Dealing with emergency situations (fire, injury, sickness)
  • Knowing when and how to call for help
  • Performing basic first aid

And there are a lot of valuable life lessons and skills that you can learn in between these modules. Building essential life values such as confidence, camaraderie, volunteerism, discipline, and more.

You might also consider taking a first-aid or CPR class (course list here) so you can learn how to properly handle injuries. Very young children have no value for safety, so it is not uncommon for them to suffer from minor injuries such as bruises, scrapes or cuts. Although not very common, children may also sustain more serious injuries such as choking, burns or drowning. First-aid classes offered by the Red Cross covers care for common childhood injuries. These courses also include infant CPR training to manage children who are not breathing.

Once you have completed the babysitting course, you will get a certificate or card to attest to your proficiency. This will boost your chances of getting a job and prepare you for the real job. It may sound all too simple but actually finding can be quite a challenge.

First, you have to go through the interview process. You should not only build up on your skills but also try to learn about the family – whether you will be comfortable working for them. If you the family does not make you feel comfortable – For whatever reason – do not take the job. Here are some red flags you should look for:

  • You will be assigned to care for more than four kids (especially very young children and babies)
  • You are not comfortable with the parents
  • You observe the children are badly behaved
  • You find the house totally messed up
  • The parents insist you do tasks or chores that you are not comfortable with

It is very important that you talk with the parents and observe the family before accepting the job. Make sure you are comfortable working with the family; better yet, try out the job and see whether you will like the working arrangements.

Related Articles

  • Essential Telephone Safety Tips for Babysitters – Read Here
  • Emergency Planning – The First Steps of Home Safety – Read Here

Related Video

Bedsores: Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

April 12th, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Wound Management - (0 Comments)

Bedsores are also known as pressure sores or pressures refer to skin injuries and injuries to the underlying tissues that occur as a result of prolonged pressure to a region of the skin. Bedsores commonly occur on regions where the skin overlies bony areas; such regions may include the ankles, heel, hips or buttocks.

People with medical conditions that restrict them from changing positions are usually more likely to develop bed sores. People who also use a wheelchair or are instructed to bed rest for prolonged periods are also susceptible to bed sores.

Bedsores that develop rapidly are usually difficult to treat. People with bed sores must consider serious self-care in order to prevent bedsores from taking place and allow proper healing. Managing bed sores are not covered in Red Cross training programs (register here), but similar problems including wound management and treating infections are covered in the courses.

Signs and symptoms

Deepening on their severity, bedsores fall under four main stages.

Stage 1

  • Skin is intact
  • Red on purple skin, light skin color, skin turns light when touched
  • Darker skin tones may not show changes in skin color or blanching when touched. Skin may appear to be slightly blue, purple or ash
  • The affected region may be firm, painful, soft, cool or warm compared to other regions of the skin

Stage 2: Open wound

  • The outer layer of the skin or the epidermis and part of the dermis (underlying layer) may be lost or damaged
  • Pressure ulcer may appear like pinkish red, basin-like, shallow wound
  • May appear as a ruptures fluid-filled blister that is intact

Stage 3: Deep wound

  • Loss of skin – Some fat may be exposed
  • Crater-like appearance of the ulcer
  • Bottom of the wound may show some yellowish dead tissue or slough
  • Damage may extend beyond the initial region of the wound and affect healthy skin

Stage 4: Large scale loss of tissue

  • Exposed muscle, bones or tendons from the wound
  • Bottom of the wound may contain slough or dark, scaly, crusty dead tissue called eschar
  • Damage will most likely extend beyond the boundaries of the initial wound and affect healthy skin

When to seek medical help

Make sure a person who is confined to a wheelchair or bed is properly checked for any wounds that may indicate bedsores. See your doctor promptly if you notice signs and symptoms of pressure ulcers. Immediate medical attention is required if the person show signs of infection including drainage form the sore, foul odor from the sore, fever, increased redness and heat of the surrounding skin area.

Treatment

Treatment for bedsores primarily involves relieving pressure.

Follow these self-care tips to reduce pressure:

  • Reposition. Make sure you reposition yourself regularly in proper positions. People on wheelchairs should do this every 15 minutes, while people in bed are required to do so every 2 hour
  • Support materials. Use pads, cushions, beds and mattresses to allow the person to lie in a proper position

To remove damaged tissue, the following steps may be required:

  • Surgical debridement to cut away dead tissues
  • Mechanical debridement using a number of methods that will loosen and remove dead tissues
  • Autolytic debridement – the body’s natural mechanism of bring in enzymes to break down dead tissue – this can be enhanced using appropriate dressing
  • Enzyme debridement – usage of chemical enzymes

Related Articles

  • Emergency Planning: Ensuring Safety at Home – Read Here
  • Common Colds: First Aid and Prevention – Read Here

Related Video

Vaginitis

March 22nd, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Infection - (0 Comments)

Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina often caused due to an infection; yeast infection is the leading cause of vaginitis in women. Most women experience vaginitis during some time of their lives.

A woman with vaginitis may experience symptoms such as vaginal discharge, vaginal redness, vaginal itching, groin rash and vaginal odor.

Treatment for vaginitis often depends on the underlying cause. Treatment may include antifungal medication, antibiotics, estrogen cream and antiviral medication.vaginal infection

Risk factors

Common risk factors associated with vaginitis may include:

  • Diabetes
  • Conditions that suppress the immune system such as HIVA/AIDS, chemotherapy and organ transplant
  • Intrauterine device
  • Multiple sex partners
  • Unprotected sex

Causes

Causes of vaginitis include:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Allergies
  • Birth control pills
  • Chemical vaginitis
  • Diabetes
  • Genital warts
  • Herpes genitals
  • Menopause
  • Pinworms
  • Pruritus vulvae
  • Psoriases
  • Vaginal foreign body
  • Yeast vaginitis
  • Trichomonas vaginitis

Causes of vaginitis in female children include:

  • Exposure to chemicals
  • Bacterial infections
  • Hormone changes
  • Pinworms
  • Vaginal injury
  • Sexual abuse

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of vaginitis include:

  • Vaginal discomfort
  • Vagina itching
  • Vaginal redness
  • Vaginal discharge – vaginal discharge may be white, grey or yellow
  • Vaginal swelling
  • Vaginal pain
  • Vaginal spotting
  • Vaginal pain during intercourse
  • Pain while urinating
  • Groin rash
  • Skin redness
  • Foul vaginal odor
  • Abdominal pain – lower back pain

Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe the following treatment to resolve symptoms of vaginitis:

  • Antibiotics for bacterial infection to the vagina
  • Antifungal medication for yeast infection
  • Antiviral medication for viral infection or herpes genitalis
  • Topical estrogen for atrophic vaginitis
  • Oral corticosteroid medication

Home care

Home care treatment for vaginitis includes:

  • Nonprescription medication for vaginitis such as Butoconazole, Clotrimazole,  Miconazole  and Nystatin
  • Take baths in lukewarm water to reduce vaginal irritation
  • Take medication as prescribed and directed by your health care provider. Avoid skipping disease and familiarize yourself with the common side effects of prescription medication

When to seek medical attention

See your health care provider if any of the following problems occur along with vaginitis:

  • Vaginal sores
  • Vaginal blisters
  • Groin rash
  • Unusual bleeding of the vagina
  • Vaginal foreign body
  • Hematuria – blood in the urine
  • Pain while urinating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fever
  • Pubic lice
  • Vomiting
  • Fever of 101 degrees F or above

Complications

Complications associated with vaginitis include:

  • Atrophic vaginitis
  • Endometritis
  • Candidiasis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Premature labor

Prevention

Follow these preventative techniques to reduce the risk of infection:

  • Avoid using soap and irritating detergents in the vagina
  • Avoid using products that may irritate the vagina such as shaving cream and bubble baths
  • Make sure your genitals are kept clean
  • Dry your genitals carefully after showering or bathing
  • Use antifungal cream
  • Wear cotton clothes and cotton underwear to reduce sweating
  • Change tampons regularly – every 4-6 hours
  • Avoid staying in wet clothes such as swim suits for too long
  • Use condoms
  • Wipe the anus—front to back – in order to prevent bacteria from spreading to the vagina
  • Remember to urinate before and after intercourse

Related Video

Essential Telephone Safety Tips For Babysitters

March 10th, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Babysitting - (0 Comments)

Babysitting requires constant supervision of the child. Children are naturally active and exploratory but their motor skills are not yet well developed and have no sense of safety. In fact, leaving your ward unattended for even just a minute can lead to harm or injury. The child can suddenly run to the road or jump out of the window or take in a harmful substance – all of these, and many more, incidents can happen in a blink of an eye.

Just like texting and driving, talking on the phone while babysitting can potentially put the child at risk. When you are using the telephone, your attention is divided between the child and the phone call. You can easily lose focus on the child and that’s when accidents can happen. So it is recommended that you keep all phone conversations short. If possible, avoid unnecessary phone calls, especially personal calls. You should also avoid using Baby sitting photoyour cellphone to text message or smartphone to surf the net.

Telephone Safety Tips

Here are some important things to remember about telephone and mobile phone use while babysitting:

  • Ask the parents if you can pick up phone calls and how they would like the phone answered.
  • Keep conversations as short as possible. Be polite at all times.
  • Limit phone calls to those related to the job only, avoid making or receiving personal calls. Ask the parent’s permission about your use of the phone for making brief personal calls.
  • Make sure you use the phone only for important calls.
  • Telephone lines can be tied up when you use the internet; so keep your internet time brief.
  • Call the parents, the police or a trusted adult if you receive unsolicited phone call that scares you.
  • Place emergency phone number, the office or mobile phone number of the parents, the address of the home, paper and pen near telephone lines.
  • Never leave the child unattended while using the phone. Keep the child near you while talking over the phone.
  • Never give the caller information about the child or the whereabouts of the parents, unless you have been instructed to do so.
  • Never inform the caller that you are the babysitter and that the parents are out. Tell them the parents are busy at the moment and ask them if they want to leave a note.
  • Never call, text message or chat with your friends while you are babysitting, even if you are using your personal mobile phone. You can get distracted and miss important phone calls or you may not be able to attend to the child well.

Safety First

The safety of the child is your top concern. Although phone calls do not pose any immediate harm, children could be put in an unsafe situation or get harmed if you lose focus on them. Babysitting courses offered by the Canadian Red Cross include these safety tips and many more. To learn more about how you can be the best babysitter, visit your local Red Cross Chapter and enrol in a babysitting or first aid and CPR course today!

Related Video

Broken nose

February 23rd, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Skeletal Injuries - (0 Comments)

A broken nose or a nasal fracture refers to a crack or break of the bone in the nose. Usually the bone located over the bridge of the nose is affected.

Causes

  • Injuries resulting from contact sports such as footballbroken nose
  • Physical assault
  • Fist fights
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Falls
  • Walking into a hard surface
  • Boxing or wrestling type games

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms may appear promptly after the physical trauma or may take a few days to kick in. Some of the common ones include:

  • Swelling of and/or around the nose
  • Nose bleeding
  • Tenderness and pain while touching the nose
  • Deformed or crooked nose
  • Bruising on and/or around the nose and around the eyes
  • Breathing difficulties through the nose
  • Rhinorrhea–discharge of mucus
  • Feeling as if one or both nostrils are blocked

When to seek medical help

Seek immediate medical attention if the injury involves the following symptoms:

  • Breathing difficulties
  • Head or neck injury is suspected due to severe headache, vomiting, neck pain and unconsciousness
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • An unusual shape of your nose–not due to swelling–the nose may seem twisted
  • Clear drainage from the nose

Treatment

1. Seek medical help if the following problems result from the injury:

  • Bleeding cannot be stopped
  • The nostril seems to be out of place or twisted
  • Clear, gel like drainage comes out of the nose

2. Treat symptoms of the condition

  • Allow the casualty to rest with his head elevated to discourage bleeding, also while sleeping
  • For pain and swelling, apply an ice pack over the affected region
  • Do not allow the casualty to blow his nose to discharge fluids
  • For pain, over the counter pain medication can be taken. Avoid giving NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

If the nose does not seem deformed or unusual, plenty of rest at home will suffice. If you suspect that the nose is severely broken due to it being twisted or crooked, see your doctor immediately. Quick treatment will bring about speedy recovery.

For bleeding, the doctor will apply gauze on the nostrils.

For a fracture, the nose will be straightened out by the doctor.

Surgery is only required for complicated fractures in order to move the bone back in its place.

Courses that include training in managing and recognizing broken and fractured bones:

Related Video

Emergency Planning: The First Step to Ensuring Home Safety

February 16th, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Being Prepared - (0 Comments)

There are a lot of natural and man-made disasters that can affect you and your loved ones. While it is impossible to predict when they will occur, you can avoid serious injuries and prevent loss of life through proper emergency planning. In order for you to come up with an effective emergency plan, you should identify the hazards in your home and immediate area. The overall goal of emergency planning is to minimize hazards. Moreover, it is important that you adapt recommendations that best suits your circumstances.

How can you reduce dangers or hazards in your home?

First of all, you need to perform a complete home hazard assessment. Hazard mitigation and is critical for reducing injuries due to accidents. Identify obvious hazards such as inclined walls, landslide prone areas, tree house fire2branches near electric lines or faulty electrical lines. Inclined walls can fall in case of strong winds or wind-storm while anything that has to do with electricity increases the risk of having a fire.

Be aware of potential hazards in your immediate surrounding or neighbourhood such as a rail line for transporting chemicals or petroleum, chemical plants, dams and electrical outlets. Rivers and lakes may also pose the risk of flooding during extreme weather conditions. Ask your local authorities about the dangers or risks in your place.

How do I develop home emergency plan?

Identifying home hazards can help you develop a response plan as well as an escape and evacuation plan in case it becomes necessary.

After you have completed a hazard assessment, you should address all hazards that are within your control. Preventing dangers should be your top priority. Familiarize yourself with the floor area of your residence. Create an escape plan and inform all household members about it.

Fire is one of the most common household emergencies. If your residence is on fire, make sure to get everyone out. Every room in the house should have at least two fire exits. Household members must have a designated place away from the house where they shall meet in case of fire. This makes it easier for you to account everyone, eliminate the need to get back inside the burning house to rescue someone.

Take note, however, that not all emergencies require that you go out of the house. In some emergencies, it may be best to stay put and shelter in place until safety is guaranteed. It is recommended in case of thunderstorm, flooding, nuclear accident or hazardous chemical spill. In these situations, it is important that you stay tuned with your local officials for necessary instructions. Make sure you follow their instructions. Do not go out unless there is instruction to do so.

Keep your first aid kit fully stocked and store in accessible part of the house. As much as possible, at least one member of the household should know basic first aid.

Related Video to Home Safety

Common colds: First aid and prevention

January 27th, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Minor Illness - (0 Comments)

Treatment of common cold often involves treating the symptoms and alleviating any symptoms that may cause discomfort. Follow these tips:

  • Make sure you drink lots of fluids. These include plenty of water, warm lemon water or clear broths. These fluids will compensate for the fluid being lost during fever and mucus production. Make sure you avoid diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol as they seriously lead to loss of fluids and dehydrating. You must also avoid smoking which can greatly exacerbate symptoms of colds.
  • Get plenty of rest. If you are suffering from a cold, try to stay at home and avoid meeting with others as it will reduce the chances of you infecting others and allow you to rest as medications may cause you to become drowsy. If you are suffering from a cold, make sure you are wearing a mask so that you do not infect others in workplaces and any public area.
  • Gargle with salt water. This is best for soothing your throat. About ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of warm water will make a good saltwater solution to relieve your throat pain and reduce soreness and itchiness of the throat.

    nasal drops

    Nasal drops are effective against fighting the common cold.

  • Consider using saline nasal drops. Over-the-counter nasal drops are highly safe and effective at alleviating your nasal congestion. Nasal drops can be used for children as well as they tend to be non-irritating and safe for all ages. For infants, you may fill one nostril will several drops of nasal solution and then gently suction the fluid through a bulb syringe. This should be ideally done before feeding as it can reduce discomfort while drinking from a bottle or nursing. You must also ensure that the procedure is carried out before sleep as it can allow the baby to sleep comfortably. You may use saline nasal sprays for older children.
  • Have chicken soup. Chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory substance that inhibits the movement of the neutrophils. Thus, allowing them to respond to inflammation. Additionally, it also relieves congestion by loosening the mucus in the nose and reducing the time viruses spend in the nasal lining.
  • Adjust your room’s temperature. Make sure your room is kept warm—but not too warm or overheated. Humidify your air using a vaporizer or cool-mist humidifier can moisten the dry air and relieve congestion and coughing. Keep the humidifier clean to prevent the growth of molds and bacteria

Prevention

The common cold can be caused by many different strains of viruses; therefore, a vaccine has not yet been developed to combat it. You can however, take come precautionary steps to reduce your risk of catching a cold:

  • Wash your hands regularly. Make sure you teach your children to be careful and wash their hands regularly, especially after sneezing on their hands. Get used to using Sanitizers as well.
  • Use tissues. Never sneeze into your hands. Make sure and your children sneeze or cough into tissues. Throw the tissue after it has been used and wash your hands properly. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze on your elbow so that your hands are not involved.
  • Scrub everything in your house. Make sure you scrub the floor, tiles and bathroom countertops and also keep your kitchen and house clean, especially when someone with a common cold leaves your house. It is a good idea to wash your children’s toys regularly.
  • Do not share your personal items. These include glasses or other eating utensils with friends or family members. You can use disposable cups when someone is sick in your family. You can also label a cup with the person’s name so that only he uses it.

Related Training

To learn about severe situations relating to respiratory or breathing emergencies you can enrol in Red Cross first aid training to learn the latest techniques.

 Related Video on Preventing a Cold

First Aid For a Foreign Object in the Ear

January 8th, 2013 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Head and Neck Emergencies - (0 Comments)

An object lodging into the ear can cause serious complications and severe pain. The object cannot be dislodged easily and an otoscope has to be used to detect the object.

An object might be inserted intentionally when a person uses cotton swabs or toothpicks for cleaning the ear off when children poke small objects into the ear. The ear is also affected when an insect enters the ear. Often adults are able to tell when an object enters the ear but children tend to be less aware.

Ear Emergencies

You want to be careful when dealing with any foreign objects caught in the ear. Leave it to the medical professionals to safely extract the obstruction if you are not sure you can do it without any harm.

Symptoms

  • Pain
  • Discomfort
  • Dizziness
  • Dry cough
  • Blood drainage from the ear
  • Infection
  • Tickling sensation when an insect enters the ear or when it bites
  • Hearing loss

Treatment

When an object gets lodged in the ear, follow these steps:

  • Do not poke the ear with a cotton swab, toothpick, match stick or any other item to dislodge the foreign object as you may push the object further inwards into the ear canal causing further damage to the sensitive structure of the ear.
  • If the object is visible to you, gently use a pair of tweezers to remove it. Do not rush or be reckless you may push the object inside.
  • If the object is not very far inside or has not been completely lodged into the ear canal, encourage gravity to pull it out by simply tilting your head on the side of the affected ear.
  • In case of an insect entering the ear, use oils to dislodge it. You may use baby oil, mineral oil or olive oil in the person’s ear to allow the insect to either suffocate in the oil or float above it. Straighten the ear canal to allow the oil to enter properly. For adults, you may gently pull the earlobe upward and backward and for a child, you should pull it downwards and upward. Oil should not be used for any other object except for an insect. You can detect an insect by the tingly sensation you will feel when an insect crawls into your ear or bites it. Do not use oil if the child is wearing an ear tube or if you suspect that the eardrum has been perforated. Do not use oil if there is any sharp pain or discharge such as blood coming out of the ear.
  • If pain or discomfort remains persistent and if any of the methods you applied fails, visit your doctor immediately.

Learn More

Learn more about head and neck injuries and emergencies by taking Red Cross training courses.

Related Video to Healthy Ear Canal’s

Hypertension

December 25th, 2012 | Posted by vanfirstaid in Circulatory Issues - (0 Comments)

Hypertension refers to high blood pressure and is commonly known as the ‘silent killer’. This is because even at very high blood pressures, the condition does not show any signs or symptoms except in some cases where people may experience mild headaches, nosebleeds or dizziness. The severity of high blood pressure increases without any notice to the casualty and increases the risk for major problems such as heart attacks and stroke.

Blood pressure indicates the amount of blood the heart pumps and the resistance of blood flow in the blood vessels. Your heart pumps blood so that blood is supplied to all parts of your body; the upper body and the lower body. Therefore, an adequate pressure is required to allow blood to reach these areas of the body. The aorta has the highest blood pressure which decreases as it’s channeled across smaller arteries and blood vessels.

hypertension

Learn to manage and prevent hypertension by taking Red Cross training courses.

How is blood pleasure measured?

You measure your blood pressure using a blood pressure cuff that will show you your blood pressure in two numbers, for example 120/80 mm Hg.

  • Systolic pressure: The larger number indicates the pressure produced when the heart contracts or when it pumps. This is called the systolic pressure and records the pressure exerted on the arterial walls.
  • Diastolic pressure: The smaller number shows the pressure recorded when the heart is resting and filling with blood between the heartbeats. This is called the diastolic pressure.

Blood pressure is classified into 5 different levels:

  • Normal blood pressure: 120/80
  • Pre-hypertension: 120-139/80-99
  • Hypertension: above 140/90
  • Stage 1 hypertension: 140-159/90-99
  • Stage 2 hypertension: 160 and above/100 and above

It is vital that you monitor your blood pressure as untreated high blood pressure can cause severe problems such as kidney diseases, heart attacks and stroke. You can use a home blood pressure monitoring device to check your blood pressure. Allow your doctor to interpret the readings and do not try to treat or diagnose your condition yourself. If you show signs of high blood pressure or developing heart disease, your doctor may ask you to get a check-up done regularly.

Complications

If left untreated, high blood pressure can result in the following complications:

Treatment and prevention

High blood pressure often runs in families and it is thus, genetic. However, you can reduce the chances of developing major problems lead by hypertension by following these lifestyle changes:

  • Quit smoking
  • Maintain a balanced, nutritious diet. If you are susceptible to heart disease due to high blood pressure, maintain a low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-salt and high-fiber diet
  • Exercise regularly. Engaging your body (and heart) in physical activity can greatly reduce the chances of developing heart disease and keep you in good shape too. It is recommended that you exercise for at least 30 minutes every other day to reduce the risk for heart disease
  • Take medications prescribed by your doctor

Become Prepared by Taking a Course

Red Cross training courses teach individuals basic recognition and emergency management skills to treat a variety of circulatory emergencies including hypertension. Register for any first aid course to learn more and receive “hands on” training. Click here to view available courses.

Related Video to Hypertension

5 Methods of First Aid for Poisons

May 12th, 2012 | Posted by vanfirstaid in First Aid - (0 Comments)

In Red Cross first-aid classes’ students will be taught to provide care for individuals who might be affected individuals of poisons. A lot of 1st aid attendants are uncertain with caring for poisoned individuals so this weblog will, with luck, streamline the rescue and share some knowledge to would-be rescuers. This document will list the best five details to remember anytime you are addressing poisoned victims. For more information about poison management register for a first aid course with Saskatoon First Aid.

1. Check the environment for any dangers. Rescuers are trained to do a scene assessment anytime they enter a possible first aid emergency. This process also applies to poison emergencies. Rescuers must keep in mind that poisons might be inhaled, absorbed and additionally injected. In the event you join a rescue scene when caring for toxic substances volunteers should always examine the scene for anything that can harm them. If ever the scenario is hazardous volunteers are instructed never to approach and then to get in touch with 9-1-1 quickly.

2. Get hold of Poison Control. Any time you suspect toxic elements have been incorporated in the first aid situation you should call poison control (1-800-567-8911). But bear in mind, that phone number isn’t as easy and quick to recollect as 911 so in case you cannot remember you can call emergency medical services.

3. Settle the patient and keep him or her calm. If the patient is poisoned the foreign content might travel throughout the sufferer resulting in probable critical harm within the body. To help control the level of havoc and to slow the toxins ask the affected person to keep settled and / or relaxed (sitting is a good option). Any time an affected individual moves around it can help move the toxin, as soon as you reduce the motions the toxin is slowed up. When treating poisoned patients almost every second matters.

4. Read the label. Most products which are usually dangerous that can be found throughout the household possess details on them in the event that an individual has breathed in, absorbed, or eaten them. Review the information and keep to the instructions as meticulously as you can. Lots of first aiders believe they should provoke vomiting without delay or work to draw the toxin from the afflicted region (if it’s a bite). Vomiting is not always the most effective treatment because it can contribute to significantly more problems for the patient’s respiratory tract and sucking the poisons is definitely a Hollywood misconception. Read the product label and follow the instructions of poison control and 9-1-1.

5. Stay relaxed. Many first-aid attendants not surprisingly fret or panic when a family member or friend appears to have been poisoned from an animal bite, accidental ingestion or chemical substance spill. Being relaxed can certainly help the sufferer do the same and slow the flow for the poison. A frightened first aid attendant can easily put the patient into panic and deteriorate the predicament.

For more information regarding identifying and caring for victims of poisonings take a Canadian Red Cross or Lifesaving Society 1st aid and a CPR training course.