The Versatility of the Triangular Bandage

6 June 2025/in Blog

Why is the Triangular Bandage the best item in the first aid kit?

The versatility of the triangular bandage lies in its ability to adapt to a wide range of situations. Its shape and size allow it to be folded, tied, or wrapped in various ways, making it suitable for addressing multiple types of injuries in first aid situations at home or work.

Uses of the Triangular Bandage in First Aid

The triangular bandage can be applied in numerous ways during emergencies. Below are some of its most common and practical uses:

1. Sling for Arm or Shoulder Injuries

One of the most well-known uses of the triangular bandage is as a sling to support an injured arm or shoulder. By folding or tying the bandage, you can create a secure sling that immobilizes the arm, alleviating pain and reducing the risk of further injury. This is particularly helpful for fractures, sprains, or dislocations.

2. Securing Splints

In cases where a limb needs to be immobilized using a splint, the triangular bandage can be used to tie the splint in place securely. Its strength and flexibility make it ideal for ensuring that the splint stays in position, providing stability and protection to the injured area.

3. Head and Scalp Injuries

For wounds or injuries to the head, the triangular bandage can be wrapped around the scalp to protect the affected area. This application is especially useful for controlling bleeding and preventing contamination of open wounds.

4. Bandaging Larger Wounds

When dealing with large wounds that require coverage, the triangular bandage can be used as a dressing. It provides adequate coverage and can be tied securely to keep the wound protected until professional medical help is available. It can also act as a thick pad to apply pressure to stop bleeding or folded into a donut ring to support impaled objects.

5. Tourniquet for Severe Bleeding

In critical situations where severe bleeding needs to be controlled, the triangular bandage can be folded and used as a makeshift tourniquet. While this should only be done as a last resort and with proper caution, it demonstrates the bandage’s adaptability in life-threatening scenarios.

6. Eye Injuries

The triangular bandage can be used to create an eye pad by folding it into a smaller shape. This pad can then be tied around the head to keep the injured eye covered and protected. It can also be used a donut bandage to cover an impalement in the eye.

7. Emergency Padding

In situations where additional padding is required, the triangular bandage can be folded into a compact shape and used to cushion injuries. This is particularly helpful when splints or other rigid objects need extra padding to avoid discomfort.

8. Securing Cold Packs

When treating swelling, the triangular bandage can be used to secure cold packs or compresses against the affected area. Its ability to hold these items in place ensures that they stay effective and properly positioned.

9. Temporary Binding or Restraints

Although less common, the triangular bandage can serve as a temporary restraint or binding tool in emergency situations where controlling movement is necessary for safety.

The Triangular Bandage in Remote Locations

One of the greatest advantages of the triangular bandage is its practicality in remote or outdoor environments. For hikers, campers, or adventure enthusiasts, this lightweight and compact tool can be a lifesaver. Its ability to function as a sling, splint tie, or wound cover makes it indispensable in settings where medical facilities might be far away.

Mates helping Mates with Anaphylaxis

8 May 2025/in Blog

IMG_2328

Anaphylaxis is a life threatening medical emergency as it can lead to breathing stopping and death. Helping a person with their medication is essential and in a timely manner to increase their chances of survival.

Anaphylaxis is severe form of an allergic reaction where the airways swell and close, the blood pressure drops and shock sets in. People can be anaphylactic to many things such as food, plants, insects, chemicals and sometimes an unknown cause.

Signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis may include:

* Sometimes it may start with an allergic reaction such as a rash, hives, itching or swelling in the face.
* Difficulty speaking

*Difficulty breathing

* throat swelling

* tongue swelling

*Signs of shock- pale, cool, clammy skin

* Dizziness, lightheadedness, collapse

* Floppiness in children

In in a workplace, it is important to know how to assist a person with their life saving adrenaline pen – the two most common being EpiPen and Anapen.

The video is showing a first aider learning how to help his work colleague with an EpiPen.

It is always recommended to attend a first aid class to learn this important skill under the guidance of a professional instructor.

Luella is a professional instructor for First Aid Action RTO 31668 in Brisbane Australia.

Website:

www.firstaidaction.qld.edu.au

Severe Bleeding – tourniquet or pressure?

29 April 2025/in Blog

When to Use a Tourniquet

According to the Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines, a tourniquet should be used in situations where there is severe bleeding that is life-threatening and cannot be controlled by direct pressure. Time is a critical factor to prevent blood loss that can lead to potential fatality. Stopping a life threatening bleed will take a priority over airway and breathing interventions. Scenarios where a tourniquet is appropriate include:

Extremity injuries with significant blood loss such as an amputation, partial amputation, open fractures, shark attack, propeller cuts or similar.
Instances where direct pressure does not suffice to manage the bleeding on a limb
Situations where the location or nature of the injury makes it difficult to apply direct pressure on the limb.
Inadequate resources or time to control bleeding through other means such as applying pressure to the wound.

How to Use a Tourniquet for a Life-Threatening Bleed

Using a tourniquet effectively can be vital in controlling severe bleeding. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Identify the site of the severe bleeding.
Place the tourniquet approximately 5-10 cm above the bleeding site, avoiding joints.
Tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding stops, ensuring it is secure but not causing further injury.
Cover the exposed wound with sterile dressings if available but do not cover the tourniquet.
Note the time of application, as prolonged use can cause damage to the tissues.
Seek the ambulance immediately after applying the tourniquet.

Alternative Tourniquet Options

If a commercially manufactured tourniquet is not available, various items can be used as improvised tourniquets. These include:

Belts
Strips of cloth or clothing
Scarves or bandanas
Ropes or cords

When using an improvised tourniquet, ensure that the material used is strong enough to withstand the pressure needed to stop the bleeding and that it can be secured tightly. Follow the same guidelines for placement and tightening as for a standard tourniquet.

The appropriate and timely use of a tourniquet can save lives in critical situations. Always prioritize seeking professional medical assistance promptly and follow the guidelines to ensure safety and effectiveness. Follow the ANZCOR guidelines of DRSABCD if the casualty becomes unconscious and not breathing.

What is a Log Roll?

3 April 2025/in Blog

Luella demonstrating a Log Roll.

A log roll or also known as a spinal roll, is when you are needing to place a casualty with a back injury onto their side very carefully. The main reasons why you would need to do this is to protect the airway & breathing if the casualty is unconscious, or the casualty is needing to vomit or there is severe bleeding to stop on their back to access the wound. If the casualty is conscious and able to breathe then it is best to hold their head and not move them (unless danger is present) so that unnecessary movement may cause further injury to the neck and spine. Leaving an unconscious casualty too long on their back can increase the risk of choking on their tongue relaxing onto the airway and bodily fluids. The Australian Resuscitation council guidelines state that the protection of a person’s airway and breathing is priority.

The person at the head always takes control of the roll with at least two other people on one side and roll the person together keeping the neck and spine in alignment. It is always best to learn this important technique under instruction from a trained professional in a first aid course so you have the confidence to perform this skill at home or in the workplace.

Contact First Aid Action RTO 31668 for further information: 07 3901 0599 or email us at info@firstaidaction.com.au

Teach your children to call for help!

27 March 2025/in Blog

Have you taught your children to call the ambulance? Do they know the number? Do they know not to hang up? Do they know the ambulance operator is not a scary person and will help them in an emergency?

Four easy words to teach your children to help them to remember how to call for help are:

CALL – call the emergency number in your country (000 or 112 on a mobile phone in Australia)

SAY – that you need an ambulance, police or fire brigade

WAIT – until the operator puts you through to the correct emergency service and DO NOT HANG UP

STAY – stay on the phone and answer the operator’s questions as best as you can. They will always help to keep you calm and tell you what to do if there is an emergency at home.

There are other important steps to teach your children in an emergency:

Practice an emergency plan if there is a fire or danger in the home. Do they know the best way to get out of the house?
Can they reach the door to open it up for the ambulance to enter the home?
Can your children remove any pets safely into another part of the house so the ambulance can enter the home safely?
Do your children know where the first aid kit is in the house and how to use the items in the first aid kit?
Have you taught your children the recovery position in case a parent, grandparent or other relative falls unconscious in the home.
Teach your children some basic first aid skills so they may able to save a life one day.

Finlay the First Aid Bear has a great catchy song to sing a long to “Call, Say, Wait, Stay” available to download on Spotify and most streaming platforms.

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

Tag Archive for: Safety