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...
Category: First aid blog
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. First aid is necessary for both minor and serious injuries and illnesses. By providing the...
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...
Assessing Mechanism of Injury in Trauma
Mechanism of Injury should be assessed before approaching a trauma patient. In assessing the mechanism of injury the first aider / first responder must consider a number of factors and try to piece together...
A Complete First Aid Guide to COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a general term that covers a variety of respiratory conditions which have the same underlying problem – obstruction of the small airways in the lungs. Smoking is a...
