Why Button Batteries Can be Lethal
A button battery (also called coin cell / disk battery) is a small battery used in small portable electronic devices, for example, watches and vehicle keys. Lithium button batteries are commonly found in our...
Category: First aid blog
What is a flail chest injury?
A flail chest is a serious injury to the thorax (chest). Severe trauma to the chest wall may cause extensive disruption, with multiple rib and sternal fractures. When a segment of chest wall loses...
What is a Tonic-Clonic Seizure?
Tonic-clonic (convulsive) seizures, (formerly referred to as grand mal epilepsy) are what most people think of as epilepsy. There are four stages in this type of seizure. In this first aid blog post we...
What is a Cerebrovascular Event (CVE)?
A cerebrovascular event (CVE) is another term used to refer to a stroke. Strokes are sudden and have an immediate effect on the patient. A patient may become numb, weak or have paralysis on one...
Why the FAST test can miss a stroke
The ‘FAST’ test is a commonly used tool to remember the key signs and symptoms of a stroke (cerebrovascular event, or CVE). The FAST test is widely taught on first aid/CPR courses globally. The...
What is a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)?
A subarachnoid hemorrhage, sometimes known as a ‘bleed on the brain’, occurs when bleeding occurs in the subarachnoid space. The subarachnoid space lies beneath a layer of one of the brain’s coverings known as...
What is the difference between a stroke and a mini-stroke (TIA)?
Strokes, and mini-strokes, are both serious conditions affecting the blood supply to the brain. In this first aid blog post, we will discuss the difference between a stroke and a mini-stroke (TIA). First aiders...
What is a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often affects young and fit people and will continue to affect them to a varying degree for the rest of their lives. Spinal cord injuries often occur after high-energy traumatic...
First Aid for Animal and Insect Bites
An animal or insect bite or sting can be dangerous. Bites or stings can cause infection, pain, shock, an allergic reaction and in some cases death. It’s important to know the basic first aid...
A Guide to Psychological First Aid
Psychological first aid is about being “on the spot” in order to extend basic, human support, deliver practical information, and show empathy, concern, respect and confidence in the abilities of the affected person. Affected...
The Four Steps of First Aid
First aid is the immediate medical assistance given to an ill or injured person until professional help arrives to take over. There are four basic steps to performing emergency first aid. These four first...
What are the Three Types of Bleeding?
Severe bleeding is a life-threatening emergency situation. Major blood loss can lead to the development of shock and the collapse of the patient’s cardiovascular system. In this first aid blog post we will discuss...
Basic First Aid Training Topics
A basic first aid course should cover essential emergency situations and prepare candidates to deliver life-saving first aid. We’ve compiled a list of the most important first aid training topics to cover in a...
Post-Resuscitation Care in First Aid
Post-resuscitation care is becoming increasingly important as the number of successful resuscitations rise. First aiders and first responders should be aware of the steps to take following a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). There...
