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.

Be Prepared

Unless you are in the medical field, chances are you have never been called upon to use your CPR, first aid, and AED skills in a real life situation. Although this may be the case, it is recommended that your refresh your skills by completing an emergency responder course every two years. You will not only refresh your memory of vital knowledge and skills but you will learn new guidelines that have been implemented or changes that have been made since your previous course.

Is it time to refresh your CPR and first aid skills? Do you hold a CPR or First Aid card from another training organization? If so, you are eligible to attend the EFR Refresher course. Plus, you can get AED training at the same time you refresh your CPR skills. Please use this link to find EFR Courses: EFR Course Finder online

Let’s get prepared!

Kids Retain CPR Basics

Fritz Sterz, from the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, studied 147 nine year old children who had received six hours of life support training. The students were taught CPR, AED, usage of the recovery position, and calling for emergency services. Upon examination four months after the training, 86% performed CPR correctly.  The body mass index (BMI) of the children was the factor that had the biggest influence on depth of compressions and amount of air inhaled. Age did not play a role, indicating that a well-built nine-year-old can be just as capable as an older child.  Sterz said, “We found that students as young as 9 years are able to successfully and effectively learn basic life support skills. As in adults, physical strength may limit depth of chest compressions and ventilation volumes, but skill retention is good.”

Keep Your AED Properly Maintained!

Imagine that you are at work chatting with a coworker.  Now imagine a strange look comes across your coworkers face as he suddenly collapses.  Recently, you completed a CPR, First Aid, and AED class and spring into action.  You shout for someone to call 911, and check for breathing and a pulse.  You detect neither and as you begin CPR, you suddenly remember… the AED!  You shout for someone to get the AED that has been mounted in the hallway of the building for years now.  The AED is retrieved; you open the case, try to turn the device on and… nothing.  To your horror, you realize that the batteries are dead!

Automated External Defibrillators (AED) can be a lifesaving tool, but can be useless if not maintained.  An AED maintenance schedule is imperative to keeping your device functioning properly. Follow these rules and, chances are, you and your AED will be ready to save a life.

1. Place your AED in a visible and unobstructed location
2. Verify the battery installation is correct
3. Check the status / service indicator light
4. Note the absence of the visual/ audio service alarm
5. Inspect exterior components and sockets for cracks
6. Confirm that you have two sets of sealed AED pads that have not expired
7. Keep accurate records and replace the AED battery as recommended for your particular device
8. Refer to the manufacturer manual for more information and proper maintenance procedures for your particular device

Safety and Health Expo 2009

Once again Emergency First Response experienced a very successful Safety and Health Expo at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. 2009 saw our fifth year exhibiting at this highly acclaimed international health and safety exposition.

Emergency First Response exhibits at this show to grow business and enhance brand awareness. Each successive year sees more and more companies recognizing our label and taking an interest in our services.

It is our opportunity to solicit large international corporate clients for contract work as well as gathering leads to pass on to appropriate Workplace First Aid facilities. This year a record number of leads were gathered which we are currently following up.

September is National Preparedness Month

September marks the 6^th annual National Preparedness Month which is a nationwide effort organized by the Ready Campaign.  We encourage you to do yourself and your community a service and participate in National Preparedness month by evaluating how equipped you are to handle potential disasters.  Do you have enough provisions stored to last you and your family at least three days?  Have you established an emergency plan and discussed it with the members of your family?  Do you know how to find the emergency broadcasting channel on your radio?  Find out more about National Preparedness Month and what you need to do to get prepared by visiting www.ready.gov. Keep in mind that a small amount of effort now, can mean the world later.