Question: Would you be able to go through some basic procedures for seizures? We work with children with autism and a few of them have seizures. Will this information be covered in Red Cross childcare first aid training courses (vancouverfirstaid.ca/first-aid-courses/childcare-first-aid-courses)?

Types of Seizures

Patients of seizures can be divided into two different categories. Seizures can occur once in a lifetime from a blunt force trauma or hit to the head. When a patient has chronic seizures then the patient is likely epileptic. Patients that are epileptic are typically aware of the condition and can be medicated to reduce the severity and frequency of the seizure episodes.

Being Prepared

When working with children that are susceptible to seizures it is important to have good communication with the parents and caregivers of the child. Ask the parents or caregivers if the child has any triggers for the seizure and how to avoid the onset and frequency of the seizures. Some patients can also be aware if a seizure is oncoming so I would recommend having a plan in place when children advise you or your staff if they feel a seizure oncoming. Some patients can predict a seizure episode and give a warning as long as 60 seconds. The ideal situation would be if the patient advises the staff of a oncoming seizure and then place him or herself in the ideal position and place. The ideal position is with the victim flat on his or her back, with no furniture or material around the victim to avoid injury. If possible have a blanket or pillow behind the patients head to prevent the head from impacting the ground or floor too forcefully.

When the Seizure Happens

If a child has a seizure without warning I would quickly place the child onto the floor and move any furniture away from the patient to allow the extremities and the body to move freely without hitting anything. DO NOT try to restrain the child as the seizure is happening. DO NOT place anything into the child’s mouth as it will likely become a choking hazard. The rescuer(s) should also focus on protecting the child’s head by placing a blanket or pillow behind it. If none are available you can place your hands behind the child’s head (palm’s up) to protect the head from impacting the floor.

After the Seizure

The seizure will likely stop within one minute. The patient may be unconscious after the seizure so it is important for the rescuer to check the patient’s vitals and treat appropriately. If vitals are absent  contact EMS immediately and begin CPR. If the patient awakes from the seizure do not expect him or her to be fully conscious or aware immediately after. Expect the patient to be confused, unaware and disoriented for up to an hour after the seizure. Monitor the patient and if the patient’s condition does not improve contact EMS. Rescuers should also recognize and care for any other injuries as a result of the seizure (e.g. from hitting objects).

When to Contact EMS

If this is the first seizure episode or if the patient is not susceptible to seizures contact EMS. I would also contact the caregivers and let them know of the situation. Good communication between the staff, patients and the caregivers is essential in effectively managing patients that are susceptible to seizures.

If ever the situation does not improve or if the patient’s condition does not improve contact EMS. To learn more about managing seizures take a standard or emergency childcare first aid course. Seizure management and over a dozen other first aid topics are included in these Red Cross first aid courses. CPR training and the use of automated external defibrillator is also included.

The material posted in this blog is for information purposes only. If you wish to learn the new and updated methods of treating for deadly bleeding take a emergency first aid or standard first aid course in Vancouver or anywhere in the Lower Mainland with Vancouver First Aid Ltd.

The popular acronym for treating victims of deadly bleeding has been, for more than a decade, RED. Rest and Reassure, elevate and direct pressure. The acronym is simple to teach and understand, especially since the color of blood is RED. However, the acronym RED has been removed from the standards of first aid with the Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society. It has been replaced with just applying direct pressure and resting / reassuring the wound and the victim. The rationale for the removal of elevation from the treatment of deadly bleeding is that it is difficult to apply adequate pressure on an elevated limb, its more uncomfortable for the victim and can aggravate other injuries that the victim may have. Candidates in standard first aid and emergency first aid courses will no longer be taught about elevation when treating for deadly bleeding.

Furthermore, the application of a turniquet to deadly bleeding has also been removed from the curriculum of standard first aid and emergency first aid courses. The rationale behind this is that many rescuers who improperly tie a turniquet create more complications and decrease teh chances of survival for the victim and for the injured limb. Therefore, candidates are no longer taught to tie turniquets for victims of deadly bleeding.

To register for a standard first aid course or recertification / refresher course select the course from the sidebar or menu bar. For a private course for you or your business contact us via phone at 778.709.9180, email at info@vancouverfirstaid.ca or use our “contact us” page.

The information provided in this blog about nose bleeds is for information purposes only. To gain recognized, national certification take one of many 1st aid courses.

Nose bleeds are very common occurences and can happen with either a hit to the nose or can start spontaneously. The blood vessels in the nose are fairly fragile and are suscetable to bleeding which in turns causes a nose bleed. Children are most susceptable to spontaneous nose bleeds. Changes in pressure, including with elevation, or irritation in the nose can cause it to bleed. Nose bleeds are very common place in swimming pools, as the changes in temperature and pressure can affect the sensitive blood vessels in the nose. Tight goggles and rubbing of the nose can increase the chances of a nose bleed while swimming at a local pool.

The signs and symptoms of an nose bleed are fairly obvious and include blood from the nose, pain associated with being hit, anxiety and shock. A Foreign object in the nose can also be a sign and symptom and cause for the nose bleed.

The first aid treatment for a nose bleed is fairly simple. Pinch the victims nose firmly with a thumb and forefinger just above the nostrils where the nasal bone meets the cartillage. Keep the victims head facing towards the ground and hold, or get the victim to hold the nose in the previously mentioned position for atleast 20 minutes to allow a clot to form. A cool ice pack can be applied to the victims forehead and neck to promote clotting. Careful applying the ice pack as it can increase levels of shock and anxiety and make the victim more uncomfortable. If the nose bleed lasts for more than 20 minutes or if the victim is significantly distressed contact E.M.S.

If the victim has a foreign object in the nose, remove the object gently if it can be seen, grasped and will not create further harm. If the object is far within the nose advise the victim to seek medical attention. DO NOT try to remove the foreign object if it is deep within the nose.

The information within this blog is for information purposes only. To receive a nationally accredited certificate in first aid take one of the many Basic Life Support courses provided by Vancouver First Aid Ltd. We look forward to teaching you in our convenient, comfortable no-pressure classes.

This blog on heat burns is for information purposes only, if you want to receive hands-on and certified training for treating burns take first aid training in Vancouver.  The definition of heat burns are tissue injuries that are caused by excess and intense heat such as flames, gas explosion or scalding water. There are two main classifications for burns. Partial thickness burns are burns that affect the upper layer of the skin. Full thickness burns affect all layers of skin including the underlying muscles, nerves and bones. The most common classification is first, second and third degree burns.

First degree burns are the most common injuries the affect only the surface of the skin covering either a large or small area. Touching a hot frying pan for a split second or spilling some hot coffee on your hand typically produce first degree burns.

The symptoms to first degree burns are: Redness, Pain, Mild Swelling, Anxiety and Shock.

Treatment: Flush the burned area with cool, clean water (ex: run it under a cold tap) and continue this process until the heat in the area has reduced. If the burn area is large, includes the face or the neck, or the victim is a small child or infant contact E.M.S.

Second degree burns affect the upper layers of skin and include the symptoms of first degree burns and cause blistering of the skin. Second degree burns are caused by prolonged exposure to intense heat.

The symtpoms to second degree burns are: the same symptoms as first degree burns but include blistering.

Treatment: Flush the burned area with cold, clean water and cover the affected area with a sterile, dry dressing. DO NOT break open the blisters. If they break on there own then apply a dry sterile dressing and bandage. Tell the victim to seek medical attention for a follow up. If the second degree burn is larger than the palm of your hand, the face or neck is affected, or the victim is a small child or infant, contact E.M.S.

Third degree burns affect all layers of skin including the underlying muscles, nerves and bones.

The signs and symptoms of third degree burns are the same as first and second degree burns plus: Red, black and grey tissue, waxy tight tissue, underlying tissue and organs exposed, pain may be absent in severly affected areas as the nerves might have been damaged.

Treatment: CONTACT E.M.S., flush the burn with cool, clean water, cover the affected area with a clean, dry, sterile dressing, DO NOT break the blisters, if the hands and feet are affected  sepearte the fingers and toes with a dressing.

The information provided above is for information purposes only. When in doubt, rescuers should never hesitate to contact E.M.S.  Take one of the many First Aid Classes offered by Vancouver First Aid Ltd to receive proper hands-on training in a fun, no pressure environment. We look forward to teaching you!