Infolific » First Aid

Poisoning

Peter Alexandrou — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:41:14 +0000

A poison is any substance which causes injury, illness, or death. It can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, ingested, or injected. Poisoning is one of the top causes of accidental death in North America with most incidents happening in the home. Ingested Poisons These poisons are swallowed or come [...]

Cardio-Cerebral Resuscitation (CCR) - The New CPR

Peter Alexandrou — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:31:41 +0000

You think CPR with breaths, in an unconscious person, is effective? You might want to think again. Ever since the beginning of CPR the belief has been that, along with compressions, breaths must be given to the victim in order for the rescue to be effective. The theory is that [...]

Blood Pressure

Peter Alexandrou — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:22:21 +0000

Blood pressure is simply defined as the amount of force blood exerts on the inside walls of blood vessels as it flows through them. Sometimes high blood pressure (HBP), also called hypertension, is usually caused by high salt intake, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, excess alcohol intake, and stress. Sometimes [...]

What If You Need To Do CPR On Someone But They Are Sitting Rather Than Lying On The Floor?

Peter Alexandrou — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:56:00 +0000

I did a basic first aid course but it didn't answer this question, we practiced on dummies on the floor. Do you do CPR on the person when they are sitting or are you obliged to move them onto the floor? Anonymous answered: If a person is sitting down the [...]

First Aid for Hemorrhaging

Peter Alexandrou — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:13:57 +0000

Follow these steps to stop blood flow, protect the wound from infection, and when necessary, to treat the injured person for shock. Apply direct pressure by placing the palm of your hand on the wound -- over a dressing -- to compress injured blood vessels against the more firm underlying [...]

Asthma Attack

Peter Alexandrou — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:39:50 +0000

Asthma is a medical condition that a person can be born with or can develop later in life, but is most common in children and young adults. When someone has an asthma attack, their air passages (throat, trachea, bronchioles) constrict, spasm, and secrete mucous. This makes it very hard for [...]

Rescue Breathing

Peter Alexandrou — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:58:26 +0000

Rescue breathing, sometimes called artificial resuscitation, is a way of breathing air into someone to give the person the oxygen needed to survive. This technique should be used on casualties that are not breathing, but still have signs of circulation. Regardless of the cause for someone to stop breathing, the [...]

Bone, Muscle, & Joint Injuries

Peter Alexandrou — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:18:30 +0000

The musculoskeletal system is made of bones that form the skeleton along with muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. These things give the body shape, form, and stability. The bones and muscles work together to make body parts move. Fractures A fracture is a break, chip, or crack in a bone. [...]

Heat Emergencies

Peter Alexandrou — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:57:43 +0000

Perspiration is the body's main method of regulating its temperature and it is generally an effective system. As sweat evaporates off the skin heat is taken with it and resulting in the cooling of the body. Without this method the body would quickly overheat ultimately resulting in death. Because of [...]

Stress Fractures

Peter Alexandrou — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:09:34 +0000

A stress fracture is when a bone becomes damaged by overuse. This can happen when an athlete increases intensity or distance of an activity, changes from a soft surface to a hard one, or has improper form. This occurs because bones undergo bone resorption and become weaker before they become [...]

Is Online CPR and First Aid Certification Valid?

Peter Alexandrou — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:16:09 +0000

Is this considered legal certification? I have taken the real in class test and gotten certified but it expired and I wanted to know I could just do an online one. Raven answered: Most places will only accept certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. They [...]

Electric Shock

Peter Alexandrou — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:06:27 +0000

Electric shock results when an electric current passes through the body, either from lightening or an artificially generated source. The impact ranges from a slight tingling to electrocution. Between these extremes, electricity may cause minor to major burns and temporary to irreversible tissue damage. A strong electric jolt may also [...]

First Aid For A Dislocated Patella?

Peter Alexandrou — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:28:25 +0000

R.I.C.E.R., no harm, or stop ? Georgie answered: Rest - the and support the leg Ice - the knee (make sure the ice pack is wrapped in clean cloth), the ice will help reduce swelling. Compression - bandage the limb from below and well above the knee Elevate - the [...]

Snake Bites

Peter Alexandrou — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:09:51 +0000

The consequences of venom from poisonous snakes vary from minor to life-threatening. Unfortunately with snakes, you are likely to be away from professional medical help when you or someone else are bitten by one. If you are 30 minutes away from help, you should take the necessary first aid steps [...]

Drug Overdose

Peter Alexandrou — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:38:06 +0000

Drugs are chemicals that can cause harm. They can be either liquid (e.g. cough syrup), gas (e.g. puffers), or solid (e.g. pain killers). A drug overdose can occur when someone takes drugs in dangerous combinations, in excessive quantities, after the expiration date, that belong to someone else, or that are [...]

Pressure Related Injuries

Peter Alexandrou — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:19:39 +0000

Being underwater increases the pressure on the body and on all the organs of the body. As a result, pressure related injuries most often occur in scuba diving or skin diving when the proper safety precautions aren't taken and the proper procedures aren't followed. Squeeze This occurs by descending too [...]

Fire Safety

Peter Alexandrou — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:37:27 +0000

Fires are caused by heating equipment, appliances, electrical wiring, cooking, and in other unexpected ways. It's important to plan and practice a fire escape route with your family. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to proceed. Plan an Escape Gather all family members and housemates. Sketch a floor plan of [...]

What Are the Essentials of a First Aid Kit For A Baby?

Peter Alexandrou — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:42:58 +0000

My daughter is 6 months and I want to start a first aid kit. What are some essential parts of a first aid kit besides band aids and alcohol? 2busymom answered: Benedryl for allergic reactions, baby tylenol or motrin, orajel, neosporin, different size band-aids, one of those cold-pack things....I'm sure [...]

Does The Good Samaritan Law Protect Uncertified First Aid People?

Peter Alexandrou — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:41:22 +0000

Does it protect people who know first aid but never took the course to get the certificate? Madkins0 answered: Actually, the Good Samaritan Law covers ANYONE who chooses to get involved in an emergency situation voluntarily (that is, does not have to because of their job or professional certification or [...]

The First Aider's Role

Peter Alexandrou — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:56:51 +0000

Your goal in learning first aid is to give care to someone suffering from an injury or medical emergency until trained medical help can arrive. A bystander is someone like you who recognizes an emergency and decides to help. Ideally, everyone would know what to do in an emergency and [...]