Monthly Archives: April 2016

First Aid Techniques

Wound Care – Part 8 “Ear Injuries”

For the 8th installment of Wound Care we will focus on Ear Injuries and the potential risks that may come with them, Ear injuries may look minor, but there may be some serious complications if they go untreated. Common questions we hear within our first aid course are “What if there’s an odd colored liquid coming from the ear? Should I pull something out of the ear if its lodged in place? Can bugs crawl into my ear while I’m sleeping?” Lets focus on the basics and fill in the questions as we go….

Common Causes:

  • Impact against the ear with any force
  • Cuts or tears
  • Head Injury
  • Loud Noises “Explosions / Gun Shots / Machinery / Tools“
  • Objects or substances in the ear “May be lodged“

Prevention:

  • Wear PPE or Personal Protective Equipment when available
  • During Sports activities wear a helmet if ones is recommended
  • Proper hearing protection is recommended when around loud noises or equipment “Concerts / Lawn Mowers / Chainsaws“

What it Looks Like:

  • Blood or “Other” fluid from with the ear
  • Hearing Problems “ringing in the ear or high pitch squeal“
  • Sudden pain in the ear that may be intense
  • Swelling or deformity

How to Help:

  1. Check the area, once the area is safe, Check the person and ensure the persons ABC’s are present “Airway / Breathing / Circulation” REMEMBER – Wear gloves if available to avoid bodily fluids.
  2. Call 911 if you suspect the injuries could be severe like head neck or spine injuries, if their airway could be blocked or there is an impaled object in or near the ear, or if “the ear is leaking a clear fluid that dabs yellow on tissue” This may be an indicator of internal injury within the head “Seek Medical Attention Immediately” Also seek medical attention immediately if the ear injury is from an “Explosion” or “Diving” injury.
  3. Care for the Ear Injury by:

**Foreign Object / Substance in the Ear with NO head and/or spine injury & the object looks like it can be easily removed**

  •  if you can see the object and it looks easy to remove without causing further damage, remove it by tilting the head to the affected side, then gently tap above the ear to loosen the object.
  • Attempt to grasp the object “Tweezers may be needed” and put it out.

**If the person has a potentially serious head and or spine injury with blood or other fluid is in the ear canal or draining from the ear**

  • Led the ear drain. “DO NOT” apply direct pressure. “DO NOT” move the person if possible
  • Cover the ear “Lightly” with a sterile/clean dressing“
  • Provide Continual Care until EMS personnel arrive.

“Always seek further medical attention with objects that have been Impaled into the Body.”

With any head injury it is always a good idea to seek further medical attention to avoid complications that may include the Head / Neck or Spine.

In any emergency just remember to Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Swoop into First Aid and give a breath of Life, let first aid training in Edmonton be your Saving Grace.

‪#‎EarInjuries‬ ‪#‎FirstAidTraningCourseEdmonton‬ ‪#‎H2SAlive‬ ‪#‎BasicLifeSupportBLSforHCPs‬ ‪#‎H2SAliveCourseEdmonton‬ #‪#‎BCLSCourseEdmonton‬

First Aid Techniques

Wound Care Part 7 “Eye Injuries”

Eye injuries will be the main focus of our 7th addition to “Wound Care” in this First Aid Blog. As we only have 2 eyes, and the fact that they operate one of our major senses, we should pay careful attention to what we can do as First Aid Attendants in the presence of an Eye Injury. To make things easy, lets break it down into the basics like the other posts so that we can see what we can do, and give us some options. “Remember” eyes are a major organ and should not be treated lightly, “always seek a medical professional if your eyes have been injured, your vision changes or you have trouble focusing.” Any wound near the eye should be treated as an eye injury!

Common Causes:

  • Objects or foreign particles lodged in the eye
  • Impact to the eye by any force or object
  • Radiation
  • Burns / Flash burns
  • Chemical Exposure

Prevention:

  • Wear PPE or Personal Protective Equipment when available
  • During Sports activities wear a face mask or eye protection
  • Rotating tools should be inspected for wear and tear, lose objects may come lose and fly into the eye’s.
  • Always review your MSDS and wear your PPE when working with chemicals.
  • Get trained on all equipment at your place of employment to avoid injuries from misuse.

What it Looks Like:

  • Pain and or irritation in the eye or eyes
  • Redness
  • Unable to open the eye
  • Tears or watering of the eye
  • Problem seeing properly
  • Object lodged in the eye
  • Deformities

How to Help:

  1. Check the area, once the area is safe, Check the person and ensure the persons ABC’s are present “Airway / Breathing / Circulation” REMEMBER  Wear gloves if available to avoid bodily fluids.
  2.  Call 911 if you suspect the injuries could be severe like head neck or spine injuries, if their airway could be blocked or there is an impaled object in or near the eye, or if the eye is out of the socket..
  3. Care for the Eye Injury by:

**Foreign Object / Substance floating in the eye**

  • Try to remove the object floating in the eye by having the person blink several times. As the eye produces tears it may flush the object away.
  • Clean away any dirt around the eye and then gently flush the eye with water, flush “AWAY” from the unaffected eye to avoid contaminating both eyes.
  • If the object remains in the eye even after flushing the eyes seek medical attention right away to avoid further damage.

**Impaled Object in the eye**

  • Get the person to rest as comfortably as possibly
  • Leave the “Impaled Object” in the eye “Never remove an Impaled Object as it can cause more damage in removing it, leave removing of the object to a medical professional to avoid increasing the severity of the injury”
  • Stabilize the object by placing bulky dressings around it being careful not to put pressure on the eye or against the object “Try not to move it as much as possible”
  • Use bandages to keep the dressing in place.
  • “Always seek further medical attention with objects that have been Impaled into the Body.”

Flash Burn:
If the eyes were damaged due to a “Flash Burn” (e.g.. From welding)

  1. Cover the eyes with a cool, wet cloth
  2. Seek further medical attention to avoid long term damage

With any head injury it is always a good idea to seek further medical attention to avoid complications that may include the Head / Neck or Spine.

In any emergency just remember to Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Swoop into First Aid and give a breath of Life, let first aid training in Edmonton be your Saving Grace.

‪#BasicLifeSupportForHCP #H2SAliveCourseEdmonton #FirstAidTraningEdmonton #EyeInjuries #BCLSCourseEdmonton #BLS

Uncategorized

Wound Care – Part 6 “Knocked-Out Teeth”

There are so many injuries that your body can sustain, prevent and heal, unfortunately Teeth are a unique problem as “Teeth don’t heal themselves“. During our first aid program we have had many questions regarding teeth and how we can preserve, maintain and fix them after they have been damaged. What should I do with a knocked-out tooth? Can the tooth be put back after its been broken or knocked-out? To make things simple, its not always a sure thing “putting the tooth back” sometimes depending on the injury the Dentist will know more, and have a specific plan to repair the damage and minimize risk or long term effects of the injuries. For first aid we will focus on the best way known to help preserve the tooth so that it has a better chance of being put back by a trained Dental Professional.


Common Causes:

  • Any forceful blow or impact that involves the mouth

Prevention:

  • Wear PPE or Personal Protective Equipment when available
  • During Sports activities use a mouth guard or face mask-Always wear a seat belt while in a motorized vehicle
  • Avoid eating or drinking in a moving vehicle if possible

What it Looks Like:

  • Missing tooth “Hole where the tooth should have been“
  • Bleeding from the gums or mouth “Often minimal bleeding“
  • Pain in the mouth
  • Deformed tooth “Piece’s missing“


How to Help:

  1. Check the area, once the area is safe, Check the person and ensure the persons ABC’s are present “Airway / Breathing / Circulation” REMEMBER – Wear gloves if available to avoid bodily fluids.
  2. Call 911 if you suspect the injuries could be severe, if there are airway could be blocked or there is excessive bleeding.
  3. Care for the Knocked-Out tooth by:
  • Control bleeding by having the person bite down on a clean dressing.
  • Carefully pick up the tooth “Or Pieces” by the crown “white part” not by the root.
  • Rinse off the tooth or pieces “gently” with water. DO NOT scrub or remove tissue fragments that may be attached.
  • Put the tooth in “Milk is preferred” or “Calcium Enriched Soy/Almond milk or water” If there is no milk or water wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze with some of the persons own saliva. Seal the the tooth or pieces in a container and label it with date and time “keep it with the person”
  • Seek medical attention “Dentist or Emergency Room Dentist” as soon as possible. Chances for repair of the tooth is the highest in the “First Hour after Damage”

With any head injury it is always a good idea to seek further medical attention to avoid complications that may include the Head / Neck or Spine.


In any emergency just remember to Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!


Swoop into First Aid and give a breath of Life, let first aid training in Edmonton be your Saving Grace.


#KnockedOutTooth #FirstAidTrainingCourseEdmonton #H2SAlive #BasicLifeSupportBLSforHCPs #H2SAliveCourseEdmonton #BCLSCourseEdmonton

First Aid Techniques

Wound Care – Part 5 “Nosebleeds”

Nosebleeds have had many wives tales built into them on how to prevent and or stop them. Our First Aid Course focuses on the basics on how to help with any situation including Nosebleeds, remember that many wives tales may actually make the situation worse, so follow the approved medical technique in order to prevent further injuries from this common injury.

Common Causes:

  • Forceful Nose Blowing-High Blood Pressure -Dry weather Conditions -Trauma to the Nose -Bleeding disorders

Prevention:

  • Wear PPE or Personal Protective Equipment when available
  • Use a humidifier if the air indoors is dry
  • Take safety precautions when participating in sports
  • Encourage gentle nose blowing

What it Looks Like:

  • Blood coming from the nose either fast or a slow drip

How to Help:

  1. Check the area, once the area is safe, Check the person and ensure the persons ABC’s are present “Airway / Breathing / Circulation” REMEMBER – Wear gloves if available to avoid bodily fluids.”
  2. Call 911 if you suspect the injuries could be severe or if there are objects lodged in the nostril, the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes or if the Nosebleed was caused by a medical condition or head injury.
  3. Care for the Nosebleed by:
  • Have the person sit and lean slightly forward while pinching the nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Once the bleeding is controlled, tell the person to avoid rubbing, blowing or picking the nose “This may cause the nose to bleed again”
  • If the person loses consciousness, place them in the recovery position to allow the blood to drain.
  • If the Nosebleed was caused by a severe head injury, do not pinch the nose.

“If the bleed was caused by an object in the nose and the object is easy to grasp, gently pull it out. If the person’s head comes forward as you gently pull then stop, the person needs further medical attention. Don’t feel around inside the nostril with your finger if you can not see the object, this may push it further in, seek medical attention.”

In any emergency just remember to Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Swoop into First Aid and give a breath of Life, let first aid training in Edmonton be your Saving Grace.

‪#‎Nosebleeds ‪#‎FirstAidTrainingCourseEdmonton‬ ‪#‎BasicLifeSupportBLSforHCP‬ ‪#‎H2SAliveCourseEdmonton‬ ‪#‎BCLScourseEdmonton‬