For those who are interested in becoming a certified CPR instructor, it is important to know that there is a procedure to follow through. The procedure to be followed through involves knowing what the basic first aid requirements are for training and academic requirements are. For brief introduction, CPR – cardiac pulmonary resuscitation- refers to techniques that are used when a person has stopped breathing in an emergency situation. The frequency of such emergencies in the world we live in makes this an integral part of life as we know it.

What are some of the duties of a certified CPR instructor?

–          The instructor will co-ordinate the classes and make sure that the times scheduled and the locations for the same are indicated clearly. This is important since it will ensure that the students can access their classes with ease.

–          The instructor will also transport all the necessary material and gadgets required to the location where the classes are set to be held.

–          It is also the responsibility of the instructor to carry out an evaluation of the students’ performance to ascertain their competence.

–          Anyone who works in the capacity of a certified CPR instructor is also tasked with completing the necessary paperwork for seamless training.

What are the requirements for anyone looking to work as a certified instructor?

–          The educational level of such an individual ought to be, at the very least high school diploma.

–          The first is a certification that shows one has qualified in basic life support skills as well as instructions in the same.

–          Some establishments and training centers prefer if the certified CPR instructor has some level of experience in a fast-paced organization.

–          Some of the desirable traits of such an instructor include the ability to teach and instruct, great communication skills as well as the physical capability to demonstrate CPR techniques.

–          Computer skills would be an excellent addition to the CV of a CPR instructor. Knowledge of use of Microsoft Office should work fine for the potential candidates.

–          In some cases, it may be necessary to have additional requirements that make work easier for the CPR instructor. For instance, in some cases it may be necessary for the instructor to be able to lift various equipment within the training institution. Some of the equipment weighs up to 25 kgs, so the instructor must be built to match the situation at hand. What’s more, it may be necessary to have strength should an emergency arise amid a disaster and it becomes necessary to transfer the injured persons to a different place from where they can administer CPR. For a certified CPR instructor, it is sometimes necessary to get a valid driver’s license to make work easier.

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Knowing first aid techniques is simply not enough if you have to get the maximum benefits from your knowledge. Having first aid skills go hand in hand with having a first aid kit for the most part. There are different types of first aid kits, and this article focuses on the family oriented first aid kit. Different types of first aid kits have different contents depending on the type of first aid kit available. To put this in perspective, a camping first aid kit would differ remarkably from any other kit seeing as the injuries likely to be encountered are those in an outdoor setup.

What should you consider when choosing a family oriented first aid kit? The first thing that you must keep in mind when you select such a kit is the injuries that are likely to be encountered at the home. some of the most common injuries include cuts, bruises, burns, nose bleeding, sprains and swellings just to name a few. For this reason, the typical home first aid kit should contain bandages to be able to cover the affected regions. Gauzes should also be included in such a kit for the same reason. The kit should also have a pair of scissors to cut the bandages and make them to size. The pair of scissors will also be used to shape the bandages in the outline of the injured area.

Following exposure of the skin to the external environment, it becomes imperative to include an antibiotic cream into the kit. The purpose of the cream is to prevent infection of the open wound. The family oriented first aid kit must also be cleaned well prior to dressing to facilitate for sterility of the area as well as to allow for precise treatment. It is impossible to talk about a first aid kit without making mention of painkillers. Painkillers, also known as analgesics, are a must have in a first aid kit. They come in handy when one needs to manage pain and inflammation. Some of the painkillers that can be used include aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen.

What is the difference between a family oriented first aid kit and an outdoor first aid kit? Having mentioned some of the contents of the former, what constitutes a first aid kit designed for the outdoors? In addition to what a home first aid kit contains, an outdoor kit will contain extra supplies as well as a pair of tweezers to get any small splinters out of the body. Such a kit should also be placed in a waterproof container for the simple reason that the outdoors are likely to come into contact with elements of the weather. Bandages may be damaged by water so it is best to keep them dry. It is also advisable to make sure that the first aid kit is fireproof to safeguard the supplies available.

Knowing what to look out for when choosing a family oriented first aid kit is key to using the same correctly.

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Many individuals will attest to having experienced heartburn at one time or the other, but did you know that persistent heartburn could be a sign of something more serious and which warrants medical attention? The symptoms of heartburn are usually simple and are only temporary. When you start to experience heartburn for a longer period, and where symptoms do not recede, you should know that something is wrong with your system. This is what causes concern for a condition known as GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease. What should you know about this condition and the first aid for it? Read on to find out what makes it more serious than a simple heartburn.

You would be surprised to learn that all of us experience involuntary reflexes pretty much throughout the day. The difference with those who have heartburn is that for them, the contents mixed with gastric juice cause refluxes more frequently so that the esophagus is exposed to these contents for a longer period of time. It is this persistent heartburn that leads to the symptoms that many patients have become all too familiar with. So, what are the characteristics of someone suffering from GERD? Listed below are some of the facts about this condition that will help you understand the condition better.

–          The diagnosis of GERD can be made for an individual who undergoes reflux more than twice in a week. This leads to the irritation of the lining of the esophagus and creates the perfect scenario for other complicated conditions to arise.

–          The treatment of this condition for those who experience persistent heartburn involves the use of prescription drugs as well as medication obtained over the counter.

–          The patient will also be advised to make lifestyle changes in order to help control the acid reflux. This involves cutting down one’s weight, steering clear of foods that cause the condition to flare up as well as eating small portions of food at a go.

–          In case the medication does not work and the symptoms do not recede, then it may be imperative for the patient to go through surgical intervention.

Below are some tips that are of importance particularly for those who experience heartburn frequently and how to administer first aid.

–          Some patients who get acid reflux may find that this is usually accompanied by characteristic pain in the chest as opposed to the burning pain that is commonly associated with persistent heartburn. Such pain is eerily similar to heart pain so it is very important that the patients are cleared of the risk of cardiac disease.

–          In line with this, it also becomes important for the patient to learn first aid and CPR skills that will help them should the need arise.

–          What’s more, some of the symptoms of GERD may be reflective of those in ENT conditions, and they include, but are not limited to constant coughing, losing one’s voice as well as chronic clearing of the throat. As such, it is important for patients to undergo ENT evaluation to rule out the possibility of the same and provide treatment for persistent heartburn.

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By definition, a tourniquet is a device that is used to provide constriction at the point of use with the aim of controlling the flow of blood in the veins and arteries to a specific site and over a given period of time. In the context of bleeding, the use of tourniquet in first aid procedures comes in quite handy. Typically, first aid for bleeding involves the application of direct pressure at the site of the injury. Granted, there are instances where this may not work, therefore making it important to know how to handle such cases when giving first aid. Some common examples include when a victim has had their flesh caught in a meat mincer or when there is extreme trauma to the leg. In such severely traumatic cases, what does one do when multiple blood vessels are damaged and it is almost impossible to apply direct pressures? The solution lies in the use of tourniquet in first aid procedures.

It is interesting to note that the use of tourniquets in first aid emergencies has, for a long time, been discouraged. Ideally, the use of a tourniquet involves tying a band at the injured extremity and making it very tight until bleeding comes to a halt. There are two schools of thought as far as this technique is concerned. There are those who are of the opinion that the procedure is risky, while the second school of thought believes that the benefits of using a tourniquet in first aid procedures far outweigh the risks of the same. So, what is the reality of using a tourniquet?

–          When a tourniquet is used in an appropriate manner, it serves to restrict blood flow to the affected region.

–          The result is that over a period of time, tissue in the affected region starts to die. This leads to the accumulation of metabolites and electrolytes in the tissue.

–          The ph of the blood also starts to decrease, creating an acidic environment within the particular extremity.

–          The longer the period which during which the tourniquet in first aid procedures is used, the greater the concentration of the toxic metabolites and the lower the pH.

–          When the tourniquet is removed, there are high chances that these toxic metabolites will be circulated to the heart, creating a more critical situation.

–          More often than not, the only other viable solution in this regard is to perform an amputation.

It is for these reasons that medics do not advocate for the use of tourniquet in first aid procedures. It is very important, however, to make it clear that it is better to undergo amputation than for a victim to die following massive blood loss. Lastly, the use of tourniquets must only be taken up as a last resort when the application of direct pressure is not enough. At the end of the day, the reason for first aid is to help save the victim’s life.

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Apart from physical and psychological dependence, addiction is an obvious side effect of such medication. Some of the drugs normally abused include: Opioids, stimulants and depressants. Being able to recognize a case of abuse is crucial in helping the patient recover from the condition.

Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse:

• Usage Increase- It’s normal for a patient’s body to develop tolerance against prescription drugs. In such a case, dosage may be increased for desired effects to be experienced. However, this decision should be left to the doctor but not the patient. Altering of dosage constitutes abuse.
• Personality Change- When someone taking prescription drugs becomes moody or changes behavioral patterns, this could be a symptom of dependency.
• Social Withdrawal- Other people usually become withdrawn from the society at large. They avoid close friends and even family members as a result of prescription drug abuse.
• Chronic Use- Even after the condition that was being managed has been treated, an addict will continue using the medication. Some even fake illness just to get another prescription. Be aware of complaints against doctors, especially from those who refuse to write numerous prescriptions.
• Change in Habit- Drug addiction can lead to a notable change in habits. When you want to indentify a case of prescription drug abuse, look at sleep patterns, personal hygiene, appearance, etc.
• Irresponsibility- This is a visible sign in abuse involving both street and prescription drugs. Drug abusers tend to neglect their responsibilities by calling in sick more often for instance.
• Enhanced Sensitivity- With chronic use, senses are enhanced thus making normal emotions, sounds and even sights unbearable. This may or may not occur with hallucinations.
• Blackouts- A person who experiences blackouts frequently could be abusing prescription drugs. This is especially true when they suffer memory loss after the episodes.

Ways of Dealing With a Prescription Drug Abuse Case:

Talk to the person particularly when they appear to be spaced out. Getting them to talk about their feelings will help them in coming out clean about the behavior. Furthermore, it will also reveal other underlying issues that are contributing to the situation.

Encourage the person to work-out. Exercising is one of the most effective methods of keeping the body healthy by riding it of toxins. This must be combined with a healthy diet plan.

When you suspect a case of prescription drug abuse, notify the doctor first. Confronting the patient may worsen the situation should the person decide to withdraw.

In general, assumptions can be dangerous when dealing with a suspected drug abuse case. This is because not everyone using plenty of prescription medication is a drug abuser. Always be on the lookout for the symptoms first to be certain of the transpiring events.

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Doctors recommend keeping a watchful eye over your health until all the symptoms have vanished. After this, give yourself a week, just to be sure, before resuming normal lifestyle. Here is more of what should be done:

Regular Check-ups

Many pneumonia patients are tempted to start living as they were before as soon as the symptoms begin to improve. However, you must be sure that all the signs have vanished prior to doing so. This is mainly because of the fact that pneumonia recovery demands regular checkups for successful recuperation. Secondary infections will be identified and treated promptly this way.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Pneumonia affects the immune system greatly. For it to recover, the body will require sufficient sleep. Resist the temptation of staying awake for long hours at night even when you’re feeling stronger. In addition to this, take a few minutes to nap during the day so that the antibiotics can take full effect.

Take Medication As Instructed

Make sure that the medication you’ve been prescribed by the doctor is taken as instructed. Antibiotics in particular should be taken at the exact same times on a daily basis until condition improves. An alarm clock will come in handy in helping you to succeed at pneumonia recovery. You’ll be able to take medication at the correct times.

Breath Fresh / Clean Air

When the lungs are irritated, pneumonia is consequently aggravated. To avoid such an occurrence, ensure that you inhale only clean air. You’ll be able to reduce coughing fits by a substantial percentage when you avoid breathing contaminated air. Install an air filtration system if you live in an area that is highly polluted. Wear a mask when outside to prevent dust and other pollutants from entering your lungs.

Keep Humidity High

Normal people avoid humid areas as much as they can. Nevertheless, those at the final stages of pneumonia recovery ought to consider buying a humidifier. The device acts quite effectively when it comes to reducing coughing and soothing the chest. Another great method of enjoying humid air is by taking steamy showers.

Use Expectorants

Contrary to normal perception, the use of suppressants for the coughs is ill-advised. This is because the resulting effect will make the pneumonia last for a longer period than expected. Instead, use expectorants to dispel the germs through the coughs. Consult your doctor before you start using this type of medication.

Stay Away from Sick People

As part of the pneumonia recovery strategy, you’ll be required to keep distance from sick people. Patients of pneumonia can contract other infections at a very high rate. For instance, a patient with common cold can really aggravate the condition of someone recovering from pneumonia. Be warned, other complications may arise as a result.

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The good news is that hope is not lost. There are several tips that will come in handy when dealing with this situation. Bear in mind that prevention is always better than cure. This means that you’ll be required to brush, gargle and floss properly.

What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

There are several recognizable symptoms that include:

• Tender gums
• Swollen gums
• Bleeding
• Thin gum lines
• Loose teeth
• Bad breath

What Are the Causes of Gingivitis?

To solve a problem effectively, it’s imperative to understand the root cause. When managing gingivitis, make sure that you remove all food particles trapped between the teeth after eating. These particles infect the gums resulting to plaque.

As a result, the gums will get inflamed and start to bleed. Plaque is created by a mixture of the food particles, saliva and bacteria. This is bound to cause tooth decay and other gum diseases. Inhibit the buildup of plaque because when it becomes too much, tartar will form.

What Are the Treatment Options?

One of the most important steps in managing gingivitis is seeking treatment immediately after identifying the symptoms. There are several treatment options and the most suitable will depend on the particular case in question.

Some of the treatment techniques that do not involve surgical procedures include:

• Professional Cleaning– For mild cases, professional cleaning will get the job done. Dentists advise such patients to go for this cleaning procedure twice annually. The plague and tartar will be removed during these sessions.
• Rooting and Scaling- This is a cleaning procedure that is quite similar to the one above. However, anesthesia is administered before the cleaning commences. All rough spots including tartar and plaque are removed.
• When dealing with severe cases, the best treatment option in managing gingivitis is surgery. The doctor will consider all risk factors before settling for surgery. There are several types of surgical procedures namely:
• Pocket Reduction and Flap Surgery- Plaque, tartar, gum flaps and all other abnormalities are corrected during the procedure. This improves normal mouth functions such as chewing and talking.
• Tissue Grafts- Infected gums tend to become thin. Skin tissue is removed from soft areas inside the mouth and then used to reinforce the gums. Places that occur in between will also be filled.
• Bone Surgery- When managing gingivitis, some doctors may opt to resolve the condition through bone surgery. All bones that have been weakened by age and ailments can be treated this way. The bone can be removed from another part of the patient’s body.
• Tissue Regeneration- For patients with eroded gums, tissue regeneration is mostly used to treat the condition. The procedure will mostly be aimed at providing extra support to the eroded areas.

All in all, you’ll be required to take charge of the situation by observing oral hygiene. This is the most effective way of managing this ailment.

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Wound Care

One of the most common misconceptions that people have about fitness first aid strategies is that you need to allow the wound to dry overnight so that you can get rid of the scab. This is not advisable as it results in slow healing of the wounds. What’s more, it increases the probability of scar tissue. To do this effectively, apply pressure directly on the wound to reduce the bleeding. This will take a couple of minutes, and when the bleeding stops, make sure the wound is cleaned using soap and warm water. Use an ointment before covering the wound using dressing. Dressing is preferred to adhesive bandage as it prevents water and air from coming into contact with the wound site. If the cut is extreme, you could do with a few stitches.

Managing Sprains

Sprains are a common injury for users who are keen on keeping fit, and this calls for the simple knowledge of fitness first aid strategies. The common occurrence of sprains keeps many an athlete out of competitions, and for good reason. Take a few days off your daily fitness routine to ensure that the sprain eases away. What makes this even trickier is the fact that it is impossible to tell the extent of sprain damage just by looking at the affected joint. If the pain does not subside even after basic first aid techniques, make sure that you see a doctor.

Don’t Get a Sunburn

Go easy working out in the sun because as much as this provides you with warmth, it also predisposes you to getting sunburns. One of the most effective and time-tested fitness first aid strategies involves the use of sunscreen. Sunscreen protects the skin against harmful UV radiation. If you already have sunburns, avoid using aloe and other creams as they only serve to insulate the skin, thus causing heat to build up. As an alternative, use a damp towel or an icepack wrapped in light clothing. This provides instant relief. With burnt skin, consult a doctor before using any creams or ointments topically. This will avoid reactions especially because many ointments may contain compounds that are not meant to be used continuously.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are yet another class of injuries that require you to employ fitness first aid strategies. If you feel the pain, make sure that you have it checked. If pain is persistent throughout the shin, check that you provide first aid by resting and applying an ice pack on the affected area. You should also make sure that you reduce the amount of workouts to allow recovery of the affected shins. In addition to this, ensure that you work out on soft ground and use appropriate sporting gear. Head injuries constitute another class of injuries that should not be ignored. If possible, get company to help you especially if you start having blurred vision, migraines and swellings. These are time-tested strategies that should work for you when keeping fit.

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1)      The Pocket First and CPR app

The first in this list of first aid applications, this app focuses on providing you with relevant information on CPR – cardiac pulmonary resuscitation- techniques. These techniques are reflective of the amendments made by the American Heart Association as far as cardiovascular care is concerned. The procedures for infant CPR, child CPR and adult CPR are clearly outlined using videos and illustrations so that the user is well equipped. The application is available for iOS and Android platforms for $1.99 per application download.

2)      First Aid by American Red Cross

If you are like me, you could probably place a bet that the Red Cross would put up a first aid app. This app is one of the top five first aid applications, and for good reason. This app is great to have while on the go as it not only includes standard procedures for various injuries, it also contains tips that one can use to stay safe as a preventive measure. The advantage of this app is that it has content that is pre-loaded so that you do not need to access content using data charges. What’s more, the app is made to work so that users can call 911 directly. The design of the app’s UI makes it easy to scroll through the content. It is available for free on both Android and iOS platforms.

3)      Drops First aid app

This is another of the first aid applications that you must check out. The friendly interface allows users to access information in different categories, namely summary texts, videos as well as textual instructions. The app is available on iOS platform only and retails for $1.99.

4)      GoToAid

The app has been reviewed by numerous physicians and vets, making it a favorite for many people using first aid applications. There are two versions available on both iOS and Android platforms: the lite version is free for both platforms, while the premium retails at $4.99.

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Home accidents are very common in Canada. The injuries range from minor bruises, cuts and the more serious ones that are fatal and require immediate medical attention.  Despite this, statistics show that it is only a few people in Canada with first aid kits at home. Having a first aid kit and knowing what you are supposed to do when you or a family member gets injured can make a major difference in ones life. In addition to the normal kit, there is also an intelligent first aid kit that you should have for more safety at home.

Components of an intelligent first aid kit

The intelligent first aid kit has microchips imbedded with each injury specific pack with the ability to take you through the entire procedure for treating a certain injury by just pressing a button.   It is more beneficial compared to the normal first aid kit because it is as if it has a trained expert in it to give all the instructions to be followed. The packs are coded with colors, for example red signifying bleeding, navy blue for eye and so on. In addition, each of the pack contains a visual instruction card, the microchip that takes you through the entire procedure and all other supplies that are required to treat a specific injury.

There are also other products such as eye rash, antibiotic ointment which require to be replaced regularly because they have an expiry date. In addition to the specific injury packs, there is also a basic pack that has supplies that are mostly found in normal first aid kit. Such items include antibiotic ointment, bandage strips and cold packs used to treat scrapes, bruises and small cuts. There is also other extra supply such as latex free gloves.

The microchip technology

This instruction technology in the intelligent first aid kit has the ability to guide you through the process for treating an injury, thus giving you an edge in what may be a stressful situation. It provides audio care instructions with a press of a button fixed to each of the given injury instruction card. By just pressing a button, the user can begin, pause, play and stop the verbal instructions provided.

After the use a specific pack for an injury, you should dispose it and reorder another one from the manufacturer or local stores that provide them. If someone suffers from a serious injury in the office or at home, an intelligent first aid kit  plays a great role in helping the victim while waiting for emergency help to arrive making it a basic for first aid.

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