First Aid Topics

Diseases and Infections

First Aid Expert — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:18:18 +0000

A disease is a result of an infection caused by germs, also called microorganisms or pathogens, in the body. An infection, or infectious disease, results when germs enter the body and affect one or more organs. Bacteria and viruses are the most common germs and cause most infectious diseases.

Spinal Injuries

First Aid Expert — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:02:01 +0000

This type of injury affects the spinal column or spinal cord which runs all the way from the upper neck down to the tail bone. This is where all the spinal nerves leave the brain and branch off, on their way down, to the various body parts. The higher up the injury occurs, the more [...]

Sport First Aid Kit

First Aid Expert — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:48:32 +0000

Having the right equipment easily accessible to deal with a sport injury is crucial to being able to deal with the situation effectively. Every sport is different and will have different requirements. Below is a list of things you should consider having in your sport first aid kit. Confidential participant information. This should be pre-season and [...]

Head Injuries

First Aid Expert — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:31:03 +0000

A head injury, also known as a concussion, is simply broken blood vessels that result in bleeding in the brain or the area around the brain. This can be very minor where the person is not aware of an injury or it can be so severe that the person dies within minutes. A concussion can [...]

Bone Fracture Types

First Aid Expert — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:10:45 +0000

A bone is considered broken when there is an interruption in the continuous flow of the tissue. This usually occurs because of a direct impact from an external source but can also occur from violent muscle contractions or repetitive abnormal use. Occasionally, a broken bone can protrude through the skin causing an open wound. This is [...]

Bunions

First Aid Expert — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:41:35 +0000

A bunion (Hallux Valgus) is a disfigurement of the big toe. The most common cause is shoes that don't fit properly e.g. high heel shoes. Over time, the bursa over the first joint of the big toe becomes inflamed and eventually thickens. The joint enlarges and the big toe becomes malaligned, moving towards the second [...]

Bursitis

First Aid Expert — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:24:10 +0000

Bursa are fluid-filled sacs found in places where friction might occur. These bursae are mostly found between bony prominences and muscles or tendons and offer protection. Bursitis, swelling of these sacs, can occur when there is overuse of surrounding muscles/tendons, pressure from an external force, or trauma. Common areas where bursitis occurs include the knee, elbow, [...]

Heat Stroke

First Aid Expert — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:20:47 +0000

Heat stroke is the least common and most serious of the 3 types of heat emergencies. It occurs when the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are ignored. When the body can no longer cool itself it gradually stops working resulting in a rapid rise in temperature. Eventually, vital organs such as the brain and [...]

Skin Burns

First Aid Expert — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:46:52 +0000

A burn is damage to the skin or underlying tissue usually caused by heat, but also by chemicals, electricity, or radiation such as with a sunburn. There are 3 levels of severity: first, second, and third. With third degree burns being the most serious. First Degree Burns A first degree burn damages only the top layer of [...]

Oxygen

First Aid Expert — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:44:27 +0000

Oxygen is a vital gas found in our atmosphere. It is what we need to be able to perform physiological processes and to live. The air around us has approximately 21% oxygen, which is plenty for normal use. When oxygen deprivation occurs, the body's tissues die (hypoxia). During rescue breathing, after the rescuer exhales, the air [...]

Blisters

First Aid Expert — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:32:06 +0000

Blisters happen when there sufficient rubbing of the skin and the skin becomes irritated, hot, and chaffed. If severe enough, blisters can lead to an open wound, bleeding, infection, and much discomfort. Preventing Blisters Make sure all of your equipment fits well. Use protective tape as required. With new equipment, break it in a bit at a time. Never use [...]

Northwest Territories First Aid Training

First Aid Expert — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:15:31 +0000

The following list is a collection of first aid companies that offer training and courses in first aid and CPR. Some of these companies may offer additional training in defibrillation, oxygen administration, and WHMIS. Depending on the company, they may offer courses open to the public, or just private courses where they will conduct training at your location, e.g. school, office, company, etc.

Heat Cramps

First Aid Expert — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:06:39 +0000

Heat cramps is the least serious of the three types of heat emergencies. However, someone suffering from heat cramps can easily progress to the more serious condition of heat exhaustion. It is therefore important to be aware of the signs and take immediate first aid action. Signs and Symptoms of Heat Cramps Painful involuntary, muscle contraction usually [...]

Pressure Related Injuries

First Aid Expert — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:00:41 +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 quickly or going too deep. It [...]

Stress Fractures

First Aid Expert — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:56:17 +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 stronger. So if an athlete does [...]

What Is the Survival Rate of a Heart Attack With and Without CPR?

First Aid Expert — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:14:59 +0000

Madkins0 answered: According to some statistics… Nation-wide chances of surviving a significant heart attack (that was severe enough to put the victim in a Cardiac Care Unit for at least 3 days) runs about 7% Doing prompt, effective CPR improves odds of a person surviving by about 70%- note that this number is for ALL heart attacks, not [...]

Emphysema

First Aid Expert — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:52:44 +0000

Emphysema is a serious lung condition. It results in labored breathing and an increased susceptibility to infections. It occurs because the alveoli, the small sacks in the lungs that allow for gases to exchange, have become enlarged, or the thin sensitive walls of the alveoli have become damaged. The end result is difficulty in gas [...]

First Aid for Fire Ant Bites

First Aid Expert — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:38:35 +0000

Imported red fire ants overrun the majority of Southern United States, from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Each year, they expand farther north. Nearly 40 percent of people in fire ant-infested areas get stung each year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Plantar Fasciitis

First Aid Expert — Sun, 17 May 2009 11:36:47 +0000

Also known as heel spur, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the sole of the foot which can be painful. This injury or inflammation affects the tendon that helps provide the arch to the foot. This condition is very common with endurance runners. Treatment involves lots of stretching, wearing proper shoes with an arch support, and [...]

Returning to Play After a Sports Injury

First Aid Expert — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:31:46 +0000

Caution must be used before putting an athlete back into the game. It's important to realize that sometimes a lot of pressure may exist to get the athlete back in the game. This pressure may come from parents who want to see their son/daughter play, from other athletes, from the coach, or even from the [...]

Blood Pressure

First Aid Expert — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:23:49 +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 it is related to heredity factors [...]

Injury Prevention

First Aid Expert — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:04:11 +0000

Although sports are sometimes unpredictable, most injuries can be, and should be, prevented. After all, no athlete wants to be side-lined because of an injury. The chance of an injury can be significantly reduced by: Maintaining off-season training even though athletes do not compete during off-season. Without training, muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons all become weaker [...]

Vancouver First Aid and CPR Training

First Aid Expert — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:50:29 +0000

These are companies that offer first aid and CPR training in the Vancouver area. Courses can vary from 4 hours to 18 hours, depending on the course you need to take. Some examples could include; only adult CPR; adult, child, and infant CPR; or CPR combined with Emergency or Standard First Aid. The best way [...]

Toronto First Aid Training

First Aid Expert — Sat, 02 May 2009 10:34:19 +0000

The following list is a collection of first aid companies that offer training and courses in first aid and CPR. All these companies are either recognized directly by Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, the governing agency in Ontario, or they offer programs from a company that is recognized. Some of these companies may offer additional training in defibrillation, oxygen administration, and WHMIS. Depending on the company, they may offer courses open to the public, or just private courses where they will conduct training at your location, e.g. school, office, company, etc.

Is Online CPR and First Aid Certification Valid?

First Aid Expert — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:05:28 +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 do not offer online tests, [...]