BLS CPR & First Aid Classes

Some may think that administering first aid for a black from a punch is not necessary. Black eyes are believed to be a bruise from the impact of a punch. In fact, a black eye is caused by bleeding around the eye and under the skin. Depending on how hard the victim was punched, it could also indicate other severe conditions such as a skull fracture or head trauma.

While most of the time black eyes are not a serious medical issue, getting punched in the eye hard enough could cause problems with vision and the eyes; one of the most common is bleeding behind the eyeball, also known as hyphema. When this happens it can damage the cornea and can decrease vision. In some cases a significant build up of pressure behind the eye, also known as glaucoma, can occur. After suffer a black eye as a result of being punched or receiving a blow to the eye it is best to call an eye care professional to ensure that there is no significant damage to any part of the eye.

If you don’t have any First Aid Training to administer first aid for a black eye from a punch here are some important things to know. The first thing you need to do is use gentle pressure when applying an ice pack or cold pack around the eye. Using a cold pack, ice wrapped in a towel, or an ice pack wrapped in a towel are the best things to use when you do not have any frozen vegetables or meat immediately available to you. Do not put any pressure on the victim’s eye. Make sure you apply cold compresses immediately after the black eye appears to reduce swelling and continue applying cold packs for the next 24 to 48 hours after starting this treatment.

The next step is to look carefully at the eye to make sure there is no blood showing on both the colored and white parts of the eye. This can be a sign of internal bleeding, bleeding behind the eyes, head trauma, or even a skull fracture. It could also be sign of broken blood vessels behind the eye which can cause significant issues and medical problems as a result.

If you notice the victim is experiencing problems seeing, frequent headaches, dizziness, light headed, double vision, blurry vision, bleeding from the eye or through the nose, severe pain or a combination of any of these, take the victim to the emergency room as it could indicate a severe medical problem. Any eye damage is something that needs to be watched closely as one does not know if there is any other damage to the eye, the skull, or the brain as a result of the blow.

Black eyes are one of the least worrisome conditions that one can administer first aid for. While many people think that putting a bag of peas on a piece of meat on the eye will get rid of the black eye quickly, this is not always the case. Many people who have received a blow to the eye don’t think anything of it when they get a black eye from it. However, knowing how to properly administer first aid for a black eye from a punch (or a blow) to the eye or even taking a First Aid Class, the victim’s chances of experiencing severe eye damage and vision problems will decrease.

Glue guns are a commonly used tool when doing craft projects and even some larger gluing projects as well. A common mistake that people make when using a hot glue gun is not watching what they are doing which could result in a mess or burns. If you have never taken a First Aid Class and you’re not sure what to do this information can help you. Before administering first aid for burns from a hot glue gun, it is important to know the different types of burns and the severity of each burn. There are several different types of burns, all which need to be treated differently. They are horrible injuries that can be difficult to overcome depending on the severity of the burn. Not only is the skin destroyed but depending on how deep the burn is there could be damage to the bones and deeper tissue below the surface wound.

There are two different types of burns: minor burns which are typically smaller second degree burns and first degree burns and major burns which are larger second degree burns and third degree burns. First degree burns affect the outer layer of skin and can be painful with some slight swelling, tenderness, and redness. Second degree burns is where the outer layer and the underlying layer has been affected. They are very painful, can show significant swelling, severe redness, and possible splotching. Third degree burns not only affect the outer layer and underlying layers, but also affect deep tissue and can affect as deep as to the bone. The affected area may look charred, dry, or white and can feel painless or numb due to nerve endings being severely damaged. Thermal burns and cold burns are the most common burns among the many types of burns one can get. A burn from a hot glue gun falls under a thermal burn which includes burn from fires, heated objects, and hot steam or liquids. Typically a burn from a hot glue gun is first degree burns or smaller second degree burns.

When administering first aid for burns from a hot glue gun, be aware that you are treating a minor burn. Before administering first aid remember is to wear protective gloves before touching any affected area. The first thing you must do is immediately prevent the burning process from continuing by cooling the burn area with cool running water; make sure the water temperature isn’t cold but cool. Once you have cooled down the burn, apply aloe gel or cream, burn gel, or burn ointment on the affected area after the pain subsides. Use a dry, sterile non-stick dressing to cover the burn. If the burn victim continues to experience intense pain, it may be necessary for the victim to take medication to help relieve the pain. There are many types of over the counter sprays, gels, and ointments that can also assist in soothing the pain.

While minor burns are just that, minor, they could pose for severe problems down the road if infection sets in. They can also be susceptible to tetanus; if the victim hasn’t had a tetanus shot in the past five years, they should get a tetanus shot within 48 hours after the burn occurred. Hopefully this information will help you. I encourage you to  look for a First Aid Course in your area in case you need to help a loved one that has been burned.

Most honeybees have a poison sac with a stinger attached. When a person gets stung or bitten by a honeybee, they leave the stinger and poison sac inside the wound. Wasps also have a stinger although, when a person is bitten by a wasp, the stinger is not left behind. They can sting a person many times and the bite wounds that occur as a result of the stings can become extremely infected. While most wasp bite wounds are uncomfortable and somewhat painful, some people get severe allergic reactions to these bites that can cause major physical problems and sometimes even death. When a person is bitten multiple times by a wasp in the head and neck area, more serious effects can occur and can also result in death.

It is important to know the symptoms of this type of bite before applying first aid for wasp bites. Some of the most common symptoms include swelling, redness at the bite wound, and sometimes difficulty breathing. If these symptoms get worse it is imperative to either call a physician or go to the hospital as soon as possible. A normal reaction to a wasp bite can be seen within several minutes; usually this will show in the form of a small reddish area that, as time goes on, will begin to look like a reddish and whitish color. Usually a normal reaction will go away within a few hours. Those that are most susceptible to complications from wasp bites are diabetics, heart patients, people with allergies, children under three years of age, and the elderly. Specific signs of a wasp bite that may indicate an allergic reaction include wheezing, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, dizziness, severe swelling, hoarseness, blue discoloration in the person’s lips, and tightness in the chest. If any of these symptoms should occur, the person who was bit must consult a physician or go to the emergency room immediately.

The procedure for first aid for wasp bites is rather simple and can be done by anyone available at the time of the bite. The first thing you should is wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water. Next, place a cold compress or an ice pack on the wound to decrease the swelling for 15 minutes on and 15 off; do not put ice directly against the skin. The next step is to elevate the area that was infected by the wasp bite and allow it to rest to reduce any swelling. If the person who was bit has not received a tetanus shot within the past five to seven years, call a doctor immediately. After these initial immediate first aid steps are taken, it is imperative that the infected wounded area be closely watched for several days. During this time pay close attention to any of the following symptoms increasing in severity: persistent swelling, an increase in pain, flu-like symptoms, or high fever. If these symptoms should occur after the bite was treated contact a physician immediately.

First aid for wasp bites is a simple procedure but taking a First Aid Course would be the best way to learn how to be able to help someone  in a situation like this. The difficult part is being aware of any severe symptoms and what should be done if these symptoms get worse, especially if the infected person has allergies to wasp bites. Following these first aid steps will help prevent possible severe side effects from occurring.

Taking a CPR and First Aid Class and really understanding and learning it can be a very rewarding experience.  Showing off the wonderful certification card, just makes your day!  However, actually performing it on a child is completely different.  The adrenaline kicks in, our hearts start beating faster.  What is we forget something?  Don’t worry with practice, everything turns out perfectly.

As always, the first thing is you want to examine the scene.  You are checking for anything that could be harmful.  If the scene is clear, you can go on; if it’s not then you have some choices to make.  Can I safely move this child?  If yes, then do so.  If not, as painful as it is going to be, you have to wait for help.  You also have to keep everyone around you safe! Check for consciousness.  While gently shaking their arms or feet, say loudly to them, “Hey, are you okay?”  If no response, check with the crowd to see who they are with.  “Is anyone here with this child?”  Repeat it three times.  If they respond, you must ask for permission to touch their child.  “Do I have your permission to help your child?”   If no response, you have to say as loudly as possible “Implied Consent!”  Appoint someone to call 911 for you.  “Hey you, in the Pink Swimsuit, call 911 for me and get back to me!”

Now, gently run your fingers over the whole body.  You want to be sure that there are no other injuries.  Next you want to check the pulse and to see if the child is breathing.  Place your ear close to the child’s mouth.  While doing this place your index and middle finger, on the child’s choroid artery.  It is located approximately a fingertip under the jaw, following the line from the ear.  Check for the child’s breathing by your ear and looking to see if the child’s chest rises or falls.  If neither is present, then you need to start CPR immediately. Bend over the child’s head; gently place your barrier method over the child’s nose and mouth.  Slowly administer 2 breaths, about a second each.  Also, watch to see if the child’s chest rises and falls.  If it does not, then re-tilt the head and try again.  If this still did not work, you must perform the Heimlich maneuver on the child before you can administer CPR.

The ratio of compressions to a breath on a child can differ.  If there is only one rescuer, the ratio is 30 to 2.  If there are two rescuers, the ratio is 15 to 2. You must be sure to apply the compressions correctly.  Place your fingers at the bottom of the child’s ribs, where their stomach is, and gently follow the ribs with your fingers up to where the 2 sides of ribs meet.  Place two fingers here.  Now in front of the fingers, place one hand down.  Place your other hand on top of the hand that is on the child, intertwine your fingers.  Start to apply compressions. This must be done for 5 cycles.  You are then going to reassess the child.  If the child is still not breathing and there is no pulse, continue CPR until medical attention arrives.

Burns are one of the scariest injuries out there.  Due to the severity of this type of injury, it is very important to know when we can treat it ourselves and when to call in the doctors.  Scalds are caused by extremely hot liquids and the vapors off of liquids.  In these two situations, always go with your instinct, it is always better to hear from the doctor that you came in too early than too late!

Remember that sunburn you get at the beginning of each summer?  This is a perfect example of a first degree burn.  In first degrees burn, the skin will turn a nice red color, it will be sensitive to the touch, some slight pain, and there may or may not be small blisters.  If the skin is not broken, you can run it under water at room temperature.  A cool cloth may also help.  A warm, not hot, shower will assist in relieving some of the pain.  Ibuprofen can help with the pain as well.  For sunburn, you can try using an Aloe Gel or Aloe from a plant.  I always use the blue Aloe Gel and I keep it in my refrigerator, I like the nice cool sensation!  Also, keep out of direct sunlight until the burn is healed completely.

Second degree burns look like the first degree burns, only worst.  The pain will definitely be worst, the skin slightly deeper red, an increase in swelling, and a lot more blisters!  There are some very important DO NOT’s in this degree.  In order to effectively administer first aid to second degree burn victims you need to know these.  Do not remove the burnt clothing if it does not remove easily.  Do not put anything on this type of burn, it will only make it worst and increase your chance for infection.  Now for what you can do.  You can take Ibuprofen for the swelling and pain.  You want to keep the area infected elevated until the burn looks and feels a lot better!  Always, always, keep the burned area dry and clean!

Remember what the chicken that you grilled last weekend looked like after you cooked it?  That nice black coloring that it gets?  This is what a third degree burn looks like.  Although in some situations, the skin may be a very bright, white color, almost clear.  For third degree burns, seek medical attention immediately!  You have burned through so many layers of skin, that the risk of infection is severely high and dangerous.  Never remove any clothing from the burned area.  This can lead to permanent damage if removed incorrectly.  Also, never put anything on a third degree burn!  All you need to know is to call 911 in this situation.

Scalds are pretty simple.  Just run your burn under lukewarm water for a few minutes.  You can also use a cool cloth.  However, once again, do not use ice!  You can cover a scald with antibiotic ointment and a band-aid, if you like.  In a few days you’ll be great and back to normal!  Having this information is great but taking a First Aid Class would be the best way to prepare yourself in case of an emergency.

There are so many more injuries that we can learn how to treat before professional medical attention does  arrive.  Believe it or not, there is more to know out there than just knowing to use a band-aid and when to call 911.  This process is called to Advanced First Aid Training.  Since this process involves more complicated situations, this should always be taught be an instructor.  Not knowing how to use any life saving technique properly can actually cause more injuries to the “victim”.

The American Red Cross offers Advanced First Aid Training throughout a list of the communities, open to the public.  Jeff Ellis & Associates offers a similar program.  However, they are only focused on Aquatic Training.  Some hospitals offer Advanced First Aid Training as well.  The cost is either very minimal or free.  The downside to learning these skills in a hospital is that the classes fill up fast.  When learning life-saving techniques in a hospital, I always suggest that you make sure you register early.  Sometimes, you can be put on the schedule months away anyhow.  Some YMCA’s offer this class.  It is based on community need, so please check with them if you are interested.  Also, some community organizations offer these classes, so check with them as well!

There are major differences between First Aid Training and Advanced First Aid Training.  In First Aid Training, you learn the basics.  You learn how to perform CPR on adults, children, and Infants.  You learn about dehydration, hypothermia (too cold), and hyperthermia (too hot).  They teach you how to administer the bare minimum until medical assistance arrives.

Now in Advanced First Aid Training, you will learn how to do so much more!  Think of every imaginable scenario possible that you could need first aid for.  This is where you would learn these skills.  This the same training that EMT’s learn.  Only the class doesn’t last 32 hours.  Some skills that you may learn in the class are; head injuries, spinal injuries, the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillation), the correct way to use oxygen, checking pulses in additional locations, ways to stop heaving bleeding, secrets on how to stabilize a “victim’s” medical condition, temporarily stabilize a broken limb, gunshot wounds, and ways to deal with eye injuries.

There are many positions in the work field that are required to be certified in Advanced First Aid Training.  Like I said before, this is the same type of training that EMT’s use, just in a shorter amount of time.  Lifeguards, at local pools, beaches, and at water parks receive this training.  Almost all lifeguards in the United States are trained and certified under the American Red Cross or by Jeff Ellis and Associates.  Both of these organizations hold high standards on the training, learning, certification, and yearly recertification of Advanced First Aid Training.  Policeman, bailiffs, jailors, managers, CNA’s, and even daycare workers, in some states, are required to receive the same type of certification.

While there is no guarantee on being able to save someone’s life, there is always the gratification of knowing that you tried.  Of course, if they live to tell their story, then that makes for even a better day!

Many times when you are with someone who has just had a traumatic experience, they might go into shock. This can happen as well when they have a heart attack. Shock is defined as the time when the pumping of the heart fails to work and therefore, blood isn’t being distributed as it should. The flow of blood is needed. Therefore, you need to know what to do when someone goes into shock to get the heart pumping blood again.  This is why first aid training is very important. Here are some tips on the first aid treatment for shock.

When you approach the person who is suffering from shock, you might find that they don’t look as they should. This person might seem confused. On top of that, they might even seem a little dizzy. Eventually, if this isn’t treated, they might go unconscious. The oxygen isn’t getting to them as it should since the heart isn’t pumping right, so they will find that their breathing rates as well as their heart rates will speed up.

There are five main things that you are going to try to help the person going in shock with. These are air, warmth, rest, mental rest, the actual treatment, and then getting help. So, let’s look at what you are going to need to do to help the person going into shock.

The first thing that you will need to do when you do first aid treatment for shock is to help them keep warm. Since the blood isn’t getting to them like it should their temperature might drop. Make sure that the person doesn’t get too warm though. Start with making sure their head is wrapped as this is the beginning of where the heat is lost. Wrap them with anything you can find.

You want to make sure they get enough air. Keep a close eye on them. Things you can do to help this would be to make sure that anyone hovering over them backs up. This means taking the clothing that might be tight and loosening it so that their airways aren’t restricted. Prepare yourself as you might have to do CPR.

Next, you want to keep them lying down and you want to try to get them to lie still. You might want to try getting the blood and oxygen to the head. The way to do this would be to raise their legs.

Be comforting while doing first aid treatment for shock as this will help with mental rest. Now, they will tell you to be truthful with them without worrying them. If you do this, you tell them the truth about what is going on while telling them that things are being done and everyone is doing what they can to help. They might have other worries so you need to handle these in the same manner.

While there isn’t much that you can do for the initial shock itself, other than these things you can try treating the cause for the shock. First aid treatment for shock could be a heart attack or something more such as head trauma. Whatever it is, try to do as much as you can for that and then seek medical help.  If you ever have to go through an experience like this and didn’t quite feel like you helped consider taking a first aid class.

With the necessity of having a first aid kit, how do we know what we really need in them? Do we buy a ready-made one at the store or online? Do we just put one together ourselves? I do have to say that this one is a preference. Ready-made first aid kits are great but they don’t always contain what we really need.

I will start with recommendations made by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and The American Red Cross. On OSHA’s website, www.osha.,gov, their requirements can be found. According to their recommendations, you need gauze pads, band-aids, gauze roll, butterfly band-aids, wound cleaner, scissors, a blanket, tweezers, adhesive tape, latex gloves, a barrier method for CPR, elastic wrap, a splint, and direction for requesting emergency assistance.

On The American Red Cross’s website, they too have their recommendations. Their website, www.redcross.org, has a different list than on OSHA. The American Red Cross suggests you should have the following in your first aid kit, compress dressings, band-aids, cloth tape, antibiotic ointment packets, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, blanket, cold compress, non-latex gloves, hydrocortisone ointment packers, scissors, roller bandage, gauze pads, thermometer, butterfly bandages, tweezers, and a first aid instruction booklet.

I, however, feel that finding a first aid program and taking the course to become first aid certified would really help me out not to mention that I would be prepared to use my first aid kit if needed. This would also help me with the essential items I need for a good first aid kit. I have compiled a list of items to start out with for a great First Aid Kit. These can be stored in a tool box or a tackle box. This can be used at home, school, the car, or at work.

• • 1 box of multi-size Band-Aids, the bigger the better
• • 1 box of multi-size Butterfly Band-Aids
• • 1 tube of Antibiotic Ointment with Pain Relief, this can be substituted with individual packets
• • 1 tube of Hydrocortisone Cream, this too can be substituted with individual packets
• • 2 boxes of Gauze Pads, in various sizes
• • 1 roll of Cloth Tape
• • 1 roll of Gauze
• • 1 box of Antiseptic Wipes, non-alcohol
• • 5 pairs of Gloves, I have latex. If you use non-latex, they need to be replaced every few months.
• • Tweezers
• • 1 Seal-Easy
• • 1 small bottle of Aspirin, chewable pills
• • 1 small bottle of Ibuprofen, pills
• • 1 small bottle of Acetaminophen, pills
• • 1 bottle of Children’s Ibuprofen, liquid
• • 1 bottle of Children’s Acetaminophen, liquid
• • 1 bottle of Infant’s Acetaminophen, clear liquid
• • 1 bottle of Antihistamine, pills
• • 1 bottle of Children’s Antihistamine, liquid
• • Scissors
• • Fingernail Clippers
• • Thermometer, I use the one that goes in the ear
• • 2 packages of Cold Compresses
• • 2 packages of Hot Compresses
• • 1 Blanket
• • 1 roll of Roller Bandage
• • 1 box of Finger Splints
• • 1 bottle of Family Bug Repellant
• • 1 bottle of Children’s Sunblock, spf 50 and waterproof
• • 1 Snake Bite Kit
• • 1 box of Matches
• • 2 Flashlights
• • Batteries, all sizes
• • Highway Flares
• • Small Paper Cups

I then check my supplies in my First Aid Kit every few months. There is no telling what has been taken out by co-workers or family members. I also make sure that my cell phone is completely charged whenever I leave the house, just in case!

There are some of you out there who would like to know CPR for you never know when you are going to need it. It’s always nice to have. Yet, there are just as many of you out there who can’t get to the places that hold these classes. You do have one option. Here we will look at online CPR training: pros and cons.

Now, as we are looking at online CPR training: pros and cons, one of the cons we can tell you about right of the bat is that unless you have a dummy at home, you can’t practice what you are being taught. When you take a class where you are with the instructor, you are to practice on the dummies there to understand what it is you are supposed to do. The other part to that is that you don’t have an instructor looking at you while you do this to see if you are doing it right.

There are some people who take the online CPR training courses who have had to do CPR and didn’t know the exact location of where to thrust and such due to the fact that they didn’t have the proper training. Now, would you want someone who says they had training, but didn’t know the specifics working on you? It’s something to think about and that is the biggest con to the online CPR training: pros and cons.

The last con that we could see is that different angles might give you poor sight as to what the instructor is doing. So, the act of getting a good understanding of what you are supposed to be doing depends on the instructor on the screen as well as the professionalism of the course.

The other pro when you start looking at online CPR training: pros and cons is that you will find they aren’t certified. If you want CPR for the purpose of work or something else where you will need a CPR certification, then you will find that online training courses isn’t for you. If they are certified, which is a big if, and then there are those who question how valid it is as you don’t have to take a test in front of someone to talk about what you might have done wrong or the things that you did right and to understand why you do these things.

Now, the nice thing with these CPR training courses that are online is that they are online. You don’t have to try finding the building or the time. You can access them at any time too. Normally, you don’t have to pay for them easier. So, if you are trying to learn for the heck of it o as to have knowledge about it, then this is for you.

It’s also nice for those who have CPR training, but need a refresher course. Sometimes, you might just want to look it up to see how you are to do it as you might forget how many thrusts or how many breaths you are supposed to use. This is a nice resource for in those predicaments as well.

So, you see why many debate whether they should do the online courses or not. The online CPR training: pros and cons are about equal. You have to think what you would want if you were in the position of needing CPR. You also have to consider if you could see enough to know where to place your hands and such.

There are many who love to climb mountains and more power to them. However, if you are one of them people who love to climb, there are a few things you need to do. One of them things that you need to do is take a mountain first aid course. This will teach you first aid for any time of situation you might encounter when climbing that mountain.

What mountain first aid course will teach you are those things that you might come across. One of those things would be if you slip on loose rock or whatever happens that causes someone to fall or hurt themselves in other ways.

With mountain first aid course, you learn how to treat wounds that could happen at any time. You learn to clean them and then you learn the proper ways in which to bandage those wounds.

They will also teach you what to carry. When you are climbing a mountain you might carry a pack with you. When you do this, the one thing you should carry would be a first aid kit. When you do this, you should have certain things in it so that you can give the proper care. This will be one of the things that they will teach you so that you know you have all the essentials to carry in order to give the basic care.

Another thing you will learn about in the mountain first aid course would be how to treat broken limbs. Anything can happen when you are climbing. Just one slip or one hard landing can make a person sprain an ankle or break something. When there is something broken and you can’t get help immediately, then you might need to know how to put a splint on the broken part to keep it immobile.

CPR is something else that will be taught in mountain first aid course. You might never know when this might be an issue. You need to know how many thrusts as well as how many puffs you need to give once you tilt the head in order to do CPR accurately. A person’s life might depend on this.

What else might they teach you at this mountain first aid course? There are quite a few things that you can learn besides what we have just told you here. There are things from helping to remove blisters, to curing headaches or more. All of this can be something you encounter when you go mountain climbing. You don’t wish this upon anyone, however, it could still happen and you might be the only one who has this training that can help them. So, be sure you know what to do as you can save a life. Now, that is worth something.