Relay for Life

On 22 & 23rd August a team of Emergency Responders trained by Surrey Medics volunteered their EFR Skills by doing a 31 hour shift of first aid event cover for Cancer Research UK’s Relay for life in Crawley, West Sussex. The event went very well and £30,000 was raised in this relay. The Responders only dealt with minor incidents fortunately and were praised by the Mayor of Crawley – Councillor Brenda Burgess.

The Emergency Response Team were also praised by local parents at the event for the way they dealt with the children who needed a little first aid, ranging from wasp stings to bouncy castle injuries. One parent said, “I have visited first aid tents before at events but Team Emergency First Response led by Surrey Medics are the most organised and efficient team I have ever experienced.  My daughter was stung by a wasp along with others and they made the children feel at ease.  My daughter was even laughing away as they were treating her and she now wants to become a responder when she is old enough so she can help people.”

Other incidents included, dressing minor burns, cutting rings off fingers, nose bleeds, sprains and strains and quite a few blisters.

If you would like to become an EFR volunteer at charity events please email info@surreymedics.co.uk  or contact Emergency First Response.

Having the Confidence to Care really does make a difference!

MBF in Australia Refunds EFR Courses

Emergency First Response workplace first aid training conducted through PADI Asia Pacific’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO) has been approved for benefits purposes under the private health fund of MBF’s Living Well Programmes in Australia. Providers don’t have to register individually – but the programme name will be included MBF’s internal reference information for staff. MBF policy holders need to submit their claim by mail for benefits to be paid. If MBF customers have any queries regarding the benefits they will be paid, contact MBF directly on 131 137.

EFR thanks Yvonne Davis of Redcliffe Training Centre in Queensland for her initiative in achieving this fantastic benefit!

Knowing When to Seek Medical Attention

It seems like it’s always difficult to determine when you should see a doctor. With flu season right around the corner, it wise to be reminded of the when we should seek medical attention. The Center for Disease Control offers the following recommendations for determining when you should seek immediate medical attention.

 In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

 · Fast breathing or trouble breathing

· Bluish or gray skin color

· Not drinking enough fluids

· Severe or persistent vomiting

· Not waking up or not interacting

· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

· Sudden dizziness

· Confusion

· Severe or persistent vomiting

· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Emergency Preparedness Tip #1

September is National Preparedness month. Over the next few weeks, look for helpful tips on this blog on how you can become better prepared. This blog’s topic is fire extinguishers.

Fire protection experts recommend storing fire extinguishers in your home and to be familiar with how your extinguishers work.  Since there are many different types of fires and extinguishers you should have several on hand so you are prepared for any type of fire that may occur.  It is vital to know which type of extinguisher you are using.  The wrong extinguisher can lead to a life threatening situation.  When choosing a fire extinguisher, make sure you choose the one that is right for the items you might need to protect. To learn more visit www.fireextinguisher.com.

Avoiding the “Swine Flu”

 

We continue to hear a lot about the “Swine Flu” or H1N1 virus in the media.  What has concerned healthcare professional regarding this strain of the flu is that it has continued to grow and spread even though it is not the flu season. Now that we are nearing the flu season, there is concern that H1N1 virus will spread exponentially. Although they have been working on a vaccine, we are still weeks away from it becoming available. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following advice for avoiding this flu virus:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious

You can obtain additional information on the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov

Reminder: U.K. Health and Safety Executive Advice for First Aiders Responding to Harness Suspension Incidents

As a result of published medical literature, the Health and Safety Executive offers guidance on the first aid management of a fall leading to suspension in a harness which may result in suspension trauma. You can read the most recent recommendations here.

If you encounter participants on your Emergency First Response courses who work in an environment in which suspension trauma injury may be a risk, then be prepared to answer questions on how to handle this type of incident and consider customizing scenarios to include such incidents.