First Aid Training Christchurch

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A Spinal Cord Injury is always a medical emergency as it could lead to chronic painful conditions and permanent paralysis. Spinal cord injuries occur when a traumatic event (often a car, diving or sporting accident) results in damage to the spinal cord.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

· Patient is lying with their head, neck or back in an awkward position

· Severe pain in the head, neck or back

· Weakness

· Tingling or loss of sensation

· Inability to move arms or legs

· Loss of bowel or bladder control

· Difficulty breathing

· Unconsciousness

How to Help

· CALL 111 immediately.

· Keep the patient absolutely immobile. DO NOT attempt to reposition the neck or allow the neck to bend or twist if you suspect a spinal injury.

· Unless there is imminent danger or they need CPR, keep the patient in the position where they were found.

· If the patient is unresponsive check DRABC

· Don’t remove helmets unless you need to perform CPR.

· Treat other life-threatening injuries while waiting for help to arrive.

· Keep the patient warm and continue to reassure them.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

What is Frostbite?

Frostbite is when the skin and/or the tissue under the skin freezes and causes cell damage. This is caused by exposure to cold. Your feet, hands, nose, ears and face are at the highest risk of frostbite.

First degree frostbite, is also called Frost nip. The numbed skin turns white in colour and the skin may feel stiff to the touch.

How to Help

· Rewarm the affected area by holding it with your hands, between your legs or under your armpits.

· Rapid warming can be harmful so rewarm the affected areas gradually.

In cases of serious frostbite the skin is damaged and tissues die as a result of the freezing.

How to Help

· CALL 111 immediately.

· Move the patient to a warm area/room.

· Warm the affected area. If possible, bathe in lukewarm (not hot) water.

· Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area.

Hypothermia is a condition where the normal body temperature of 37°C drops below 35° and is usually caused by being in a cold environment or through prolonged exposure.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia may be:

· Confusion

· Drowsiness

· Slow to Respond

· Clumsy or Uncoordinated

· Slurred Speech

· Slow, shallow breathing and weak pulse

· In severe cases – unconsciousness

How to Help

· CALL 111 immediately.

· Move the patient to a warm area/room.

· Remove any wet clothing.

· Warm the body with dry clothing, blankets etc.

· If possible and only if uninjured, give them warm sweet drinks, sweets, chocolate etc.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

What is a Burn?

A burn injury is damage of the different layers of the skin. Heat generated from the fire or heat source and the amount of time the skin is exposed to the heat is what damages the skin. A burn injury is described as a first, second or third degree burn.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

· Very Painful

· Blistered Skin

· Swollen Area

· Redness

· Charred Skin

How to Help

· If the patient’s clothing is on fire – STOP, DROP, WRAP & ROLL.

· Cool the burn area with cold water for at least 10 minutes.

· If possible, remove any constrictive jewellery.

· Cover the burn with a clean, dry bandage or cling film to prevent infection.

· Do not use ointments or creams.

· Get medical assistance or CALL 111.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

A Bruise is caused when tiny blood vessels are damaged or broken as the result of a bump to the skin and a bruise results from blood leaking from these injured blood vessels into the soft tissue.

A sprain is an injury to a ligament (the thick, tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones together). If too much force is applied to a ligament, they can be stretched or torn causing a sprain.

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Muscles are made to stretch, but if stretched too far, it may cause stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

· Tenderness

· Swelling

· Bruising

· Too painful to use affected joint

How to Help

· Rest

· Ice

· Compression

· Elevation

· Get medical advice if required.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

What is a Crush Injury?

A crush injury occurs when a heavy object falls and crushes the patient. The injuries can be extremely serious if it causes severe bleeding or damage to internal organs

How to Help

· Check DRABC.

· Remove the crushing object immediately if it’s safe to do so, but only if the accident has just occurred. If you’re unsure how long the victim has been crushed, only remove the object if the patient is having trouble breathing.

· Control bleeding.

· If you are unable to remove the object, call for immediate assistance.

· Continue to reassure the patient and keep them warm.

· Assess patient for signs of shock.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

It may be possible to save a tooth that has been knocked out if you take quick action.

How to Help

· Pick the tooth up by the crown – DO NOT touch the root.

· Clean the tooth by getting the patient to suck on it or by gently rinsing it with milk.

· Gently try and replace the tooth into the socket it came out of.

· If it can’t be replaced, keep the tooth moist by carrying the tooth in the patient’s mouth (so long as there is no chance of the patient swallowing the tooth) or in a container of the patient’s saliva or in milk.

· With teeth injuries or dental injuries arrange for the patient to see a dentist within 1 hour.

Note:  If a first or baby tooth is knocked out, it should not be replanted. Give the child ice to suck.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

You can treat many minor eye irritations by flushing the eye with water, but more serious injuries require medical attention.

How to Help

Foreign Body

· Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the eyelids to examine the eye.

· Flush the eye with water, Optrex or Saline – avoid flushing into the uninjured eye.

· Do not touch, press, or rub the eye itself.

· Do not try to remove any foreign body except by flushing.

· If the foreign body is not dislodged by flushing, the eye should be covered and the patient should get medical assistance.

Embedded Foreign Body

· If an object is sticking out of the eye do not try to remove it. If possible, gently cover both eyes.

· Seek immediate medical assistance.

Chemical Exposure 

· Flush the eye as above and continue to rinse the eye(s) as much as possible until the patient has medical assistance.

· Ensure the unaffected eye doesn’t become exposed. Flush the affected eye with the head tilted and the affected eye closest to the ground.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

What Is Shock?

Shock is a very serious and life-threatening condition and must be identified and managed immediately. Shock occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow and can damage multiple organs.
 

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be

· Cold, Pale and Clammy Skin

· Anxiety

· Confusion

· Feeling Dizzy, Faint and Unwell

· Shallow Breathing

· Rapid but Weak Pulse

 
How to Manage Shock

· Call 111 for Assistance.

· Check DRABC

· If the patient is conscious and DOES NOT have an injury to the head, leg, neck or spine, place the person in the shock position by laying them on their back and elevating their legs about 50 cm. If raising the legs will cause pain or potential harm, leave them lying flat.

· Give first aid for any wounds or injuries and control any bleeding.

· Keep the patient warm and comfortable.

· Keep reassuring them as much as possible.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

What Is Angina?

Angina is a painful or uncomfortable sensation in the chest that occurs when part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen.

What Is A Heart Attack?

Heart attack occurs when there is blockage of a coronary artery. Heart attack lasts much longer than angina, and its symptoms generally continue even after a person rests.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be

· Chest Pain

· Pain on Left Side – shoulder/arm/hand/neck/throat/jaw

· Tightness in the Chest

· Nausea

· Breathing Difficulties

· Sweating

· Often mistaken for indigestion

How to Help

· Does the patient have a history of Angina and carry medication? If so, give their recommended dose of medication.

· If in doubt, immediately CALL 111.

· The patient should rest.

· Keep them calm and continue to reassure them.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure in which cardiac massage and artificial respiration are used to keep oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and around the body to keep vital organs alive.

HOW TO HELP

· D – Check for Danger

· R – Check for Response

· S – Send for help – ring 111

GIVING ADULT CPR:

· A – Open Airway, head tilt, chin lift

· B – Check for Breathing : Yes – check for bleeding – Control/Apply pressure

No – carry on step C

· C – Give 30 chest Compressions – Give 2 rescue breaths

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can onlybe gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO SAVE A LIFE? Call today to book your first aid course, mention you saw the pop up ad and receive a FREE mini first aid kit valued at $17.00