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What to do if your baby stops breathing?

13 March 2025/in Blog

Learning Infant CPR is important for all parents, grandparents, older siblings and any other person that may look after your baby. It would be more traumatic to do nothing than to be able to do something that may save your babies life.

Thankfully the ambulance staff are amazing and will guide you through the steps of CPR. But, what happens if you have no service on your mobile or your phone is flat or you have left it somewhere and can’t find it? Many people have no landlines anymore and prefer to just use mobile phones.

Follow the steps of DRSABCD as per the Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines:

D – Danger – Ensure the safety of yourself, any other people and your baby before commencing CPR

R – Response – Check to see if your baby is response by talking and touching their hands and feet. Making a clicking or clapping noise with your hands may wake the baby from an unconscious state.

S- Send for an ambulance (000 or 112 on mobiles) and ask if there is a defibrillator available

A – Airway – open your baby’s mouth and check for any vomit or blockages. Turn your baby on their side to clear any blockages.

B – Breathing – check for any breathing for up to 10 seconds

C – Commence CPR – 30 compressions in the middle of the chest and then give 2 cheek full puffs of air into your baby’s mouth and nose. Ensure that you keep your baby’s head in a neutral position only. Use only two fingers and press down 1/3rd the depth of your baby’s chest and aim to press 2 compressions per second (100 – 120 min).

D – Defibrillation – If there is one available, immediately turn it on and follow the voice prompts.

It is always best to practice these skills on a manikin under the guidance of a first aid instructor so that you are better prepared for this type of emergency. Join one of our public courses on the course calendar tab or Luella is more than happy to do a live Zoom session with you. Check out the home page about Live Webinars.

You can also check out Luella’s YouTube channel and watch the video on Infant CPR:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO49Wu-VLtuFVFmATqPG1mg

First Aid action Provide first aid to family friends and workplace

First Aid Risks Associated With Flooding

10 March 2025/in Blog

During a flood, first aid risks include drowning, cuts and wounds from debris, contaminated water leading to infections, and potential exposure to hazardous materials or animals.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the first aid risks associated with flooding:

Immediate Risks:

Drowning:

Floodwaters can rise rapidly and unexpectedly, leading to drowning, especially in areas with strong currents.
Cuts and Wounds:

Floodwaters can carry debris, including broken glass, sharp objects, and submerged items, which can cause cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds.
Trauma:

Fall
ing debris, collapsing structures, and the force of floodwaters can cause injuries like fractures, sprains, and concussions.
Electrocution:

Floodwaters can come into contact with downed power lines, posing a serious risk of electrocution.
Hypothermia:

Prolonged exposure to cold floodwaters can lead to hypothermia, especially if people are caught in the water or become wet.

Infection Risks:

Contaminated Water:

Floodwaters can be contaminated with sewage, bacteria, and chemicals, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and infections.
Skin Infections:

Contact with floodwater can lead to skin infections, especially if there are cuts or abrasions.
Infectious Diseases:

Exposure to floodwater can lead to the spread of diseases like leptospirosis and melioidosis.
Wound Infections:

Cuts and wounds exposed to contaminated floodwater are at a higher risk of infection.

Other Risks:

Exposure to Hazardous Materials:

Flooding can cause the release of hazardous materials from damaged infrastructure or industrial sites, posing risks to health.
Animal Encounters:

Flooding can displace animals, including venomous snakes, increasing the risk of encounters.
Allergic Reactions:

Floodwaters can carry pollen and other allergens, potentially causing allergic reactions.

First Aid Considerations:

Clean Wounds:

Thoroughly clean any cuts or wounds with clean water and soap or antiseptic wipes/solutions to prevent infection.
Dress Wounds:

Cover wounds with sterile bandages to keep them clean and protect them from further contamination.
Seek Medical Attention:

Seek medical advice for any wounds that show signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, or pus.

Prevent Dehydration:

Ensure access to clean water and encourage people to stay hydrated.

Monitor for Illness:

Be aware of the signs and symptoms of waterborne diseases and seek medical help if necessary. These may include: headaches, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, diahorrea.

Follow Emergency Instructions:

Listen to and follow the instructions of emergency services and local authorities.
Stay Informed:

Monitor local news and weather reports for updates on flood conditions and safety advice.

Please feel free to email us at info@firstaidaction.qld.edu.au if you would like advice on first aid.

Emergency Checklist from Get Ready Queensland

5 March 2025/in Blog

GRQ Emergency Kit checklist

Please go to “Get Ready Queensland” website : https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/emergencykit to find out what to pack in an emergency kit. I have attached it to this blog but it is well worth reading the other important information about getting ready for any emergencies – cyclone, fire, flooding etc.

It is very important to have your first aid kit ready to be prepared for emergencies that can happen from broken glass, flying debris, falls and building collapses. Some of these incidents can cause severe bleeding, broken bones, spinal injuries and unconsciousness. I have never personally been through any cyclone before and it certainly is a bit daunting as it really is “unknown” what will happen. All I can do is be prepared! Brush up on your first aid skills if you have done a course a while ago and I wish everyone to stay safe. My fingers and toes are crossed that Alfred will behave himself!

Follow the steps of DRSABCD in an Emergency

3 March 2025/in Blog

Emergency Action Plan – DRSABCD

Do you know the below facts on Cardiac Arrest in Australia:

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia.
Only approximately 10% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive.
Performing immediate CPR and attaching an AED (Defibrillator) by a bystander can significantly increase the chances of survival, potentially doubling or tripling the survival rate.
Nearly 80% or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest happens at home – so are you prepared?
Statistics indicate that men are more likely to experience cardiac arrest than women.

Learning how to perform CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) is important skill to have that you hope you will never need to use. A lot of people are caught out and not prepared when an emergency happens at home. Even just performing compressions on a person will give them a better survival rate than doing nothing. CPR is all about maintaining blood flow and oxygen around the body as the person’s heart is no longer pumping. Call the ambulance as soon as you can and use a Defibrillator if there is one nearby and follow the voice the prompts! Survival rates are greatly increased with the use of early defibrillation.

Learn the DRSABCD of CPR as per the attached flyer and practice these skills in a first aid course so that you are better prepared for an emergency. Give us a call if you wish to know more information about Cardiac Arrest, CPR, Defibrillators or you wish to come and learn first aid with us – 07)3901 0599.

FAST – what does this acronym mean?

24 February 2025/in Blog

First Aid Acronyms.

Do you know how to determine if a family member, friend or work colleague could be having a life-threatening Stroke?

A Stroke is caused by either a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel in the brain and is one of Australia’s biggest causes of death. The Australian Stroke Foundation states that stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer.

Some Facts from the Australian Stroke Foundation:

Strokes can happen at any age.
80% of Strokes can be prevented
In 2023, 1 in 4 Strokes occurred in people below 65 years of age
When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute
Without action by 2050, it is predicted the number strokes experienced by Australians annually will increase to 72,000.

The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke.

Using the FAST test involves asking these simple questions: (The below information has been adapted from the Australian Stroke Foundation)

Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? Can they smile evenly? Has one side of face dropped? Do they all of a sudden feel numbness or tingling on one side of the face?
Arms – Can they lift both arms? Or get them to squeeze both your hands.
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical and Act FAST! If you see any of these signs, call 000 or 112 (mobile phones) straight away.

Choking – Hit the person on the back or not?

17 February 2025/in Blog

You are out to dinner with some friends having a great time, chatting away, laughing and all of sudden one of your friends is choking on their food! They are coughing, still breathing but panicking! You give your friend a really hard hit on the back thinking that will help them but…….Oh No! They can now no longer cough or breathe!

Hitting a person hard on the back while they are trying to cough, can still breathe and talk can actually make it worse if they are choking. The force of the hit can cause the blockage to go further down their airway and completely block it if it is only partially blocked. Something that a lot of people don’t realise and think it is the right action to do.

There are two types of Choking (Airway Obstruction):

Partial Airway Obstruction: A partial obstruction is when a foreign object (most likely food) has partially cut off the airway. Signs include: coughing, difficulty in breathing or noisy breathing, talking (crying in babies).
1. First Aid for a Partial Obstruction is: Encourage the person to cough out the obstruction whilst leaning forward. If the cough becomes ineffective or the person is experiencing worsening breathing difficulty, then call the ambulance.
Full Airway Obstruction: A full airway obstruction is when the foreign object has completely cut off the airway. Signs include: unable to cough, breathe or talk, turning blue in the lips, panicking.
1. First Aid for a Full Obstruction is: Lean the casualty forward and administer 5 back slaps between the shoulder blades then administer 5 chest thrusts (pushing on their chest). Alternate these actions while the person is still conscious or able to cough the object out. Call the ambulance as soon as possible, and be prepared to follow the steps of DRSABCD when the person becomes unconscious.

Come and learn more about choking for adults, children and infants at our first aid courses and practice these actions so that you are well prepared for this type of emergency. Book yourself in now!Choking Infants Choking Child

Have a laugh! Bloopers making videos!

14 February 2025/in Blog

True or False? Nose bleeds

11 February 2025/in Blog

First Aid Training & the Great Outdoors of Redcliffe

3 March 2024/in Blog

The Easter holidays are nearly here, and families are already planning their Easter getaway.

Outdoor family activities include hiking, caravanning or camping around our Great Southeast’s beautiful beaches and bushland, or maybe you’re staying home to catch up on home maintenance. Whether you plan to head away into the great outdoors, or stay home – accidents do happen. This could be small cuts or scrapes while hiking and camping; fishing hook injuries to hands and fingers; or sunburn and dehydration after a day at the beach or pool. It’s important to treat small injuries properly, before they turn into big problems.

In emergency situations, being equipped with basic First Aid training and knowledge can save a life.

During the relatively short break, accidents can happen so quickly when you, or someone else, is distracted. Every minute counts in a crisis, so ahead of the upcoming School holidays we are urging those living in the Redcliffe area to get trained in First Aid.

Remember that First Aid is intended to be initial care given in an accident or emergency, until qualified medical care is available.

Heading out on the road? The latest statistics show 85% of road accident fatalities could be avoided by administering basic First Aid before Paramedics arrive. During a cardiac arrest those who receive bystander CPR have a higher survival rate than those who do not receive treatment.
Staying home over the holidays? Many Queenslanders use the time at home to work on those much overdue DIY tasks. Reflecting the Great Aussie DIY attitude, recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show 6,600 Australians were hospitalised last year after falling from a ladder, and 17,000 were injured after using tools or machinery.
Planning on Camping, Caravanning, or Bush-Walking? Even in the great outdoors it is so important to be prepared, with 29,900 Australians treated in hospital for bites, stings, and sporting injuries last year alone.
Swimming in pools or natural water courses? It’s estimated that a majority of drowning incidents are preventable, and that understanding the Drowning Chain of Survival may significantly improve outcomes in case of emergency.

So what can you do to be prepared for any emergency as Easter approaches?

First – make sure you have an appropriate first aid kit on hand. Kits are readily available and can be customised for your individual situation. The kits will also vary in contents and size depending on risks and hazards, potential and likely injuries, and location. First aid kits should include resources for administering first aid for:

Minor wounds, cuts & grazes
Control of serious bleeding
Soft tissue injuries (sprains & strains)
Eye injuries
Splinters
Minor burns

There’s even some unconventional, yet highly useful items you can take with you, which might even save you a trip to hospital.

Tampons – many women keep these handy, but they can also save the day in some emergencies. You may laugh at this hack, but tampons are very absorbent, and can be used to pack bleeding wounds, or slow severe nosebleeds.
Large towel – this multipurpose item is great to keep in your car for any emergency. From sudden rain, to motion sickness, to car crashes, a clean towel in your first aid kit will be invaluable if someone has a large injury. Those tiny gauze squares often just aren’t enough to help compress and control bleeding. If the cut is on an extremity, you can wrap the towel around it and apply pressure to the cut. In other cases, you can fold the towel several times and apply direct pressure.
Portable phone charger –particularly if you’re travelling to a remote area, stashing a portable phone charger allows you to recharge mobile devices if you get stuck without access to electricity. Your mobile device allows you to call for help, or access GPS to find your nearest hospital or doctor.
Bottled water – No matter how short or long your trip is, make sure you have a few bottles of water in with your medical supplies. Rehydrating is just the beginning—the water can also be used for wound irrigation or making a cool compress for abrasions or small burns. It also serves as an eye flush in case you get dirt, sunscreen, or worse in your eye.

Second, and most importantly – make sure you have the education and skills to use your first aid kit properly.

First Aid Action offers an extensive range of First Aid courses and refreshers, teaching you the skills and techniques to treat shock to stings, and everything in between.

Short of time? No problem! Accredited training takes one day, or just six hours with pre-learning options available. There’s still time before the next school holidays!

We offer training in locations across South East Queensland, from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and most recently in Redcliffe. Click this link to view our public course schedule.

First Aid in the Workplace – Top 5 things to know

22 August 2023/in Blog