First Aid in the Workplace - What qualifications and how many? Lets make it easier!

One of the challenges business owners face is getting their heads round the mountain of information that applies to their business.

One thing business owners have in common, is that, they are very good at what they do - If they weren't, they wouldn't do it! Whether they operate a Glass manufacturing plant, a Garage, or a Corner shop, they are at the head of their game.

Most Barbers can't fly planes, and most pilots can't cut hair - and often it is the case, that getting to grips with matters that effect your business can seem like an unnecessary distraction.

So, they outsource. The pilot goes to the barber when he wants his hair cut, the barber goes to the pilots company when he wants to fly somewhere.

But, they at least need to know what kind of haircut they want, or where they want to fly to!

I can't cut hair, but what I can do is best direct you to the qualifications needed to remain compliant within the First Aid Regulations. I've done one better, I've simplified it all to save time!

Take a look at First Aid Training for more information. You'll go straight to the right page to be able to calculate what the requirements state.

As always, you can never be over qualified! Even if your business is in the low risk bracket, it is much better to be over qualified, and in all instances, it is good practice to hold a First Aid at Work certificate.

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Owning a Defibrillator in the Workplace - Is it a good idea?

A Defibrillator is an electronic device which can deliver an electric shock through the body to correct a heart rhythm which is incompatible with life. Often, this is referred to as 'Restarting the Heart'.

The types of device available on the market today for private businesses and first responders are called AED's - Automated External Defibrillators, of which there are two types, fully automatic, and semi automatic.

Both types of device are computerised, and are designed to take the protocol decision making away from the rescuer. Typically, they follow a 1-2-3 process. 1 - Switch it on, 2 - Listen to the voice prompts / on screen messages, 3 - Press a Button if applicable. 

Modern defibrillators do not make mistakes, they do not 'shock' people by accident, they are perfectly safe to use - even by people who have never ever touched or seen one before.

We carried out an experiment recently on several First Aid courses where AED use was not part of the curriculum. During the CPR phase on the manikins, we handed the student the AED Training device, and told them they had to use it.

They knew what an AED was for (It was part of the curriculum), they had seen pictures of one (a different model), they had even seen a live AED that each vehicle is equipped with in the company (Again a different model from the Trainer).

Each student, without fail, was able to apply the AED to the manikin, and follow the voice guidance - delivering a simulated shock.

Why have a Defibrillator in your workplace?

Quick access to a defibrillator is key to survival of a casualty experiencing a cardiac event where defibrillation would correct the rhythm. 

Without a defibrillator on site, someone undergoing good CPR still stands a chance of survival, but that chance depreciates with every passing second whilst they wait for an ambulance to arrive.

A defibrillator increases the chance of survival from 5% (without) to 50% (with). Emergency medical care and further treatment is still required. (Source http://communityheartbeat.org.uk/ )

Although the Ambulance Service is targeted to respond within a certain time frame, the logistics of the world, circumstance, and indeed that time frame itself, is too long to wait in the case of a heart attack. You can rest assured that everyone is doing everything humanly possible to get help to you as quickly as possible - but it still isn't quick enough.

By having a defibrillator on site, and having people trained to use it, the chance of long term survival is greatly increased for the casualty.

Most businesses employ an alarm system for their premises - it protects the building, and its contents at night and on weekends when no one is there. Some businesses employ security guards, have cctv, and even tag their products to prevent loss by theft.

All businesses must comply with fire safety regulations, they must have fire extinguishers, adequate means of escape, and sometimes, they need a fire detection and alarm system too.

The same with having an appointed person, and first aid qualified staff. These are things that a company must have.

Yet, each year, the mirror newspaper reported in 2013, nearly 60'000 people suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest, with an abysmal 8% survival rate.  That's 55'200 people dying. ( link to article: Mirror Defibrillator Article ) I believe the statistic to be much higher for cardiac arrests, and this statistic possibly reflects those suffering a cardiac event, where defibrillation should have been an option.

For what is a reasonably low price, compared to CCTV, Security Guards, Burglar Alarms, etc, a Defibrillator can be purchased, or even leased from companies such as The Defib Shop - who have an outstanding record of service and product choice.

How much does it cost?

The cost is relative. If I were to tell you that in 6 months you would have a heart attack, and die with no aid to save your life, you'd possibly prepare to make your exit from this mortal shell as peaceful as possible. Sorting out your personal and business affairs so that they do not burden the next generation.

But, equally, you may notice I am not 'Death', I do not carry a scythe with me, and you could up your odds by ensuring you have a qualified first aider in the company, or better still, several, all in your office, and having access to a defibrillator. To that end, how much is your life worth?

The financial cost of an AED is surprisingly affordable, with a lower maintenance cost than ever before. A company can aim to pay well below £1000 to purchase an AED, and maintain it - some battery and pad options last up to 5 years, with 2 years being the average. Replacement pads are generally around £30 - £60 (Shelf life of approximately 2 - 3 years) and batteries are approximately £90 - £140. And don't forget, The Defib Shop has options to lease a device if that is more cost effective for your business.

Someone is likely to just steal it though

A whole range of alarmed cabinets are available. These devices are serialised, and good asset tracking can prevent the resale of these devices on the open market.

No one has had a heart attack at work before, it will never happen!

I certainly hope so, but imagine a situation where it does happen. Imagine it happening to you. We go about our lives in a continual state of risk, everything carries with it a potential danger, and we mitigate that danger by making preparations, such as ensuring the car we have has airbags, and crash protection, having fire extinguishers and first aid kits, wearing cycle helmets on bikes, eating more healthily to ward off ailments, and likewise, we should prepare for the risk of SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) by having a defibrillator close at hand.

In summary... 

We believe it is a great idea to have a defibrillator in the workplace (We have several). We believe defibrillators should be as commonplace as fire alarms, and wherever there are people, one should be no more than 1 minute away from them. The cost is inexpensive, there are means to obtaining a device if the initial outlay is beyond budget, and the long term investment is priceless to the person experiencing a cardiac event, and their family. 

Need more information?
For Purchasing devices, we recommend www.defibshop.co.uk

For Community Schemes for remote areas, we recommend www.communityheartbeat.org.uk

For First Aid Training, of course we recommend ourselves! www.centricuk.com

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Brain Fog / Fuzzy Thinking - Simple Self Care

For some years, I, the author have been suffering with, under certain conditions, something called 'Brain Fog.

It's quite normal, and everyone experiences it at some point of their lives.

What is Brain Fog?
Brain Fog is a non medical term for a period where the thinking of a person is clouded. It is as difficult to describe as it is to think whilst experiencing a 'Fog' period.

The person undergoing the 'Brain Fog' feels as though their thoughts are muffled in a plastic bag above their head. On the outside, their appearance is often perfectly normal, but, their thoughts feel to themselves, inhibited, or clouded for reasons unknown.

Their decision making abilities don't appear to be affected for the majority of sufferers - it only seems that way to them, inside their head.

A 'Brain Fog' event can be debilitating, as the sufferer feels they cannot contribute effectively to their normal daily tasks, so isolation during a period of 'fogginess' is normal, or the overwhelming urge to go to sleep.

A sufferer will feel uncomfortable in telling another person how they feel, as they believe this condition may be related to Mental Health, which it may or may not be. The internal thoughts of their Mental Health being compromised may in turn lead on to Mental Health conditions / behaviour developing.

What Causes Brain Fog?
There are many potential causes, including;
Lack of Sleep
Lack of Real food / incorrect food
Medication / Treatment (Such as Chemotherapy)
Substance Abuse
Age

Sometimes 'Brain Fog' can be caused by underlying serious conditions however, such as Mercury Poisoning, Hormone Imbalance, Depression, Diabetes, Fybromyalgia, Thyroid conditions and Lymes disease.

How to treat Brain Fog
First of all - If you are unsure - You need to make an appointment to see your GP. Even if you feel you're sure, my advice is still to go and see your GP. This blog does not replace sound medical advice.

Treat the Cause
1)
Ensure you get sufficient sleep each night, without disturbance.
That means ensuring the temperature is right, there's enough air in the room, there's absolutely no light in the room (including the little blinking light of your mobile phone as it charges).
Develop a pattern. I.e. Go to bed at 10 each night, rise at 6. Don't go to bed at 3AM and rise at 2 PM.
The correct routine is easy. You just lie in bed each night, and eventually, a pattern will appear.

2)
Eat proper food - this means, if it's in a packet, don't eat it. Only eat food from the fruit and veg section of your grocery store, eat fresh, non processed meats. Eat fish. Drink plenty of water. Cut out the junk food and sweets.

3)
Discuss any medication you have with your doctor (Do not just stop taking medicine). Ask about Contraindications.

4)
Stop abusing substances. This includes Alcohol, tobacco products, coffee, Sugar.

5)
Go the the GP.

In most cases, Treatments 1 & 2 will resolve many of lifes issues. Try it.

Quick Fix
Having a 'Brain Fog' session right now? Try this.
If you are also Hungry - Eat.
If you are tired - Sleep.

These two options may not seem like options right now - but both work. Then treat the cause.


DISCLAIMER
This post is made from personal experience and research on the condition which is barely recognised. It is presented as is, and does not reflect the view of the company, or any training guidelines. In all instances seek professional medical help.

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Stroke - Know what to do

Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked. Part of the Brain becomes damaged. This often effects the persons appearance, speech, body functions, and sight.

Know how to recognise Stroke:

Think FAST:

• Face: If the face drops on one side
• Arms: If there is a loss of control or strength in the Arms
• Speech: If Speech becomes slowed or slurred
• Time: To call 999 / 112. This is an emergency, get help!

Talk to the person suffering Stroke, reassure them, comfort them. Keep Calm.

For more information, visit :

http://www.stroke.org.uk/

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How do we beat Ebola?

Whichever way you look at it, the Ebola dilemma is raising a lot of unanswered questions, and worryingly, the speculation over what to do about the transience of it simply doesn't seem like affirmative action to prevent the spread.

The USA have announced screening at Airports, the UK is considering the same (At the time of writing) - but checks at Airports are simply no good - carriers in their early stages are non symptomatic - so could bring Ebola into their respective countries unwittingly to all concerned.

So perhaps some form of quarantine is required, as was maintained in New York Harbour in days gone by - however, the amount of people commuting in the 21st Centenary is far greater, making this impossible. Simply sit in any airport for several hours, and the daily passage from one terminal here alone is far greater than found at a port in the Victorian Era.

The only true way to beat Ebola is to nip it in the bud - attacking it's spread at source, however, it does seem that effected countries have been more or less left to fight it out alone.

The British Army recently announced they are sending 100 Army medics to Sierra Leone, and the USA has pledged even more boots on the ground.

Now lets not forget, Ebola isn't caught from the air, if it were, we would all be nearly dead by now, so sending troops, isolated from the main population, is reasonably safe. When there is contact, then they will be in full Protective Gear.

They will establish centres for administering the diagnosis and care of patients presenting with symptoms of Ebola.

This is a great start, and a move in the right direction - however, more is needed, and people are required to replace the troops. 

How do we Beat Ebola? 

Simple, we Educate, Control, and Eradicate cases.
1) Educate.
Let people know about it, tell them not to come into contact with the infected, give them new means to dispose of waste, and the dead. Provide with PPE.

2) Control

Marshall law, restrict movement, assign local authority leaders to enforce suspected case protocols.

3) Eradicate

Wherever cases present, they are isolated. The dead are disposed of swiftly without time for emotion or religious rights.

 Bringing about all 3 sections are as tough as the last. 

There is understandably a fear over Ebola, yet the education hasn't been sufficient to tempt people not to wash their dead, or to have physical contact with people showing symptoms, or to increase their personal hygiene. Instead we hear of Westerners sneezing, and being thought to be carriers - as if this is a westerners epidemic alone.

This is due to poor education on the part of the state, and potentially insufficient investment to educate, or the investment by donation being squandered. 

As we prepare to put together a incident package, Ebola is very much in the forefront of our minds. It is our hope that it's spread ceases, and doesn't enter out country. 

If it does, then we all need to be prepared, and thankful that we have the resources to manage Ebola containment with reasonable ease.

Video to follow of our preparations. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/First.Aid.Training.Centric

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#Ebola 

Contents of a First Aid Kit, At home, and Abroad

It's important to have a well-stocked first aid kit in your home, so you can deal with minor accidents and injuries.Your first aid kit should be locked and kept in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children.Many people also keep a small first aid kit in their car for emergencies.

Your basic first aid kit

A basic first aid kit may contain:

• plasters, in a variety of different sizes and shapes
• small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
• at least two sterile eye dressings
• triangular bandages
• crêpe rolled bandages
• safety pins
• disposable sterile gloves
• tweezers
• scissors
• alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• sticky tape
• thermometer, preferably digital
• skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
• cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
• antiseptic cream
• painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen
• cough medicine
• antihistamine tablets
• distilled water, for cleaning wounds
• eye wash and eye bath

It may also be useful to keep a basic first aid manual or instruction booklet with your first aid kit.

Medicines should be checked regularly to make sure they are within their use-by dates.

For every travel kit

• First aid kit

For minor injuries, use antiseptic with gauze squares, non-adherent dressings, bandages, fabric plasters, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers and safety pins. You can buy bottles or sprays of standard antiseptic such as TCP from all major chemists, or get ready-prepared antiseptic wipes. A first aid kit may be useful if you're going off the beaten track or taking part in high-risk activities.

• Insect repellent

Mosquitoes usually bite between dusk and dawn, and are attracted to humans by our body heat, smell and the carbon dioxide we breathe out. Research shows that products containing the chemical DEET are the most effective insect repellents and are safe when used correctly. DEET products are available in sprays, roll-ons, sticks and creams. Your GP or travel health clinic will tell you whether the area you are going to is malarial and what protection is advised.

• Condoms

Condoms are recommended for everyone who is sexually active. Buy condoms with the CE mark on the packet. This means they have been tested to the high safety standards that are required in Europe. Condoms that don't have the CE mark won't meet these standards, so don't use them. Condoms can be damaged by oil-based products, such as suntan lotion, baby oil and lipstick. Heat can also cause damage, so store them in a cool, dry place. For more information on using male and female condoms, see How to use a condom.

• Antihistamines

Over-the-counter antihistamines can reduce itching and inflammation caused by allergies and insect bites. Antihistamines are available as tablets (oral antihistamines), creams (topical antihistamines) and nasal sprays. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of a protein called histamine.

• Anti-diarrhoea pills

Anti-diarrhoea drugs, such as loperamide, can relieve symptoms of diarrhoea by slowing down the movement of bowel contents and sometimes by increasing water absorption from the gut. Loperamide can be taken once or twice a day, over a long period. However:

• Do not take anti-diarrhoea drugs if there is blood in your stools or if you have a high temperature (check with your pharmacist). 
• Do not give anti-diarrhoea drugs to your child.

Travel in the developing world

• Rehydration sachets

Rehydration sachets help replace fluids and salts lost through diarrhoea, vomiting and too much sun. You can buy sachets of rehydration salts from your pharmacy and add them to water. They provide the correct balance of water, salt and sugar. Your doctor or pharmacist may also recommend rehydration drinks for your child, if you are worried they may become dehydrated. Do not use homemade salt or sugar drinks. Always consult your pharmacist.

• Mosquito net

A mosquito net is vital for sleeping in malarial countries. When buying a net, make sure it is impregnated with permethrin. Permethrin is a contact insecticide, which will kill insects landing on the net and, therefore, increase the net's effectiveness. Generally, nets will need to be impregnated again with permethrin after six months of use. Carry a small sewing kit so you can repair any holes that develop in the net.

• Anti-malarial drugs

Visit your GP, pharmacist or practice nurse four to six weeks before you leave to find out what malarial cover you'll need. They will also have up-to-date advice about the cover you need, and which strains of malaria are resistant to which drugs.

• Emergency medical supplies

Kits available from pharmacies, including sterilised and sealed syringes, sutures and needles, can be useful when visiting developing countries, where hospitals and dentists may not have properly sanitised equipment.

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Ebola - Getting protected - Basic Advice

There is no effective antiviral treatment. Instead, treatment is supportive, and is directed at maintaining renal function and electrolyte balance and combating haemorrhage and shock. 

Transfusion of convalescent serum may be beneficial. 
Post-exposure treatment with a nematode-derived anticoagulation protein and a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vaccine expressing the Zaire Ebola virus glycoprotein have been shown to have 33% and 50% efficacy, respectively, in humans. 
Recent studies have shown that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can be potentially effective in silencing Zaire Ebola virus RNA polymerase L, and treatments in rhesus macaque monkeys have resulted in 100% efficacy when administered everyday for 6 days; however, delivery of the nucleic acid still remains an obstacle.

IMMUNIZATION: None.

PROPHYLAXIS: None. Management of the Ebola virus is solely based on isolation and barrier-nursing with symptomatic and supportive treatments.

Based on the stark facts of Ebola, people are understandably very concerned. When another case arises, the press rush the news to print, making the spread seem wider than it is.

But what can we do to safeguard ourselves? What lessons can we learn from this recent outbreak, that may afford us better protection in the future?

Firstly, the mechanism of spread must be evaluated. Coming into contact with contaminated hosts, both dead and alive clearly is a major player in all of this. Isolation of those contaminated can help reduce the spread, but as we are seeing, with the 21st Century routine migration of travellers, suspected cases can arrive anywhere in the world, at any time.

A closed borders for entry policy is not economically viable, but, is plausible in a major outbreak to which containment is not possible. 

In the mean time, local level migration control in countries worst effected (Such as Sierra Leone) is utilised to try and gain control.

We are left to trust decision makers that our best interests are catered for - but, systems fail, non symptomatic travellers, within the incubation period, can travel freely to home countries, residing with their families, before potentially infecting others nearby.

As citizens, it is our duty to do everything we can to protect our living environments around us, not just for neighbours, but also for ourselves, and our families.

Good levels of hygiene are critically important, washing of hands for example, using sanitising gel regularly, and particularly after making contact with another person. 

Sanitising the entire work environment, phone systems, keyboards, light switches, door handles, and in our case, we maintain a staff toilet, and a customer toilet. Both are kept incredibly clean - but one is controlled over who uses it - all these things help cut down cross contamination.

Food eaten is prepared by the consumer only - no outside food is consumed wherever possible, all food prepared is cooked properly, or is within its own natural packaging (i.e. Banana's), the exterior of which is cleansed before unwrapping. 

This is the daily routine, and although it sounds extreme, it falls into good practice, and prevents to the greater part, picking up lots of other bugs.

But, we cannot avoid all human contact in day to day life. We should not become recluse. It is important to engage with other people, and to do so in a familiar way without an eye of suspicion that could otherwise damage a relationship, be it professional or personal.

The game changer comes when cases become prevalent within our community. 

A whole range of respiratory protective aids are available, from basic face masks through to CBRN respirators, which cost more, and are less available than the paper counterparts. Full CBRN suits are used by professionals, in conjunction with decontamination units and full assistive backup.

But without these resources, the lay responder, the worker, the citizen is most vulnerable to contamination, so more austere measures are required.

All the above sanitisation regimes should be used, as well as protecting from outside contact. 

This extreme measure requires some forethought in preparation - without shopping for food, and supplies, we would soon become unstuck, without going to work, we would soon become financially void.

Good preparedness in home storage is needed, with a backup food supply of canned goods, and water, as well as toiletries, means the need to enter society for trivial means can be avoided.

All avoidance is impossible, and socially problematic, so keeping distance is appropriate instead. Avoiding physical contact, and sharing of food is an aide to preventing cross contamination.

Managing the dead - ensuring disposal of the body is prompt, and complying with local authority guidance is all important in preventing the spread too, and of course managing your own form of decontamination is vital.

Good resources to keep at home include:
Strong Surgical Gloves - Many pairs of Marigolds
Bin Bags
Face masks
Alcohol Gel  
Camping toilets
Bottled Water
Tinned food of all varieties
Camping cookers
All of this seems extreme, but, up until quite recently, it formed part of the British education in preparedness for Nuclear Attack. After the dissolution of the communist government in Russia, it was felt the risk had been removed, however, although the risk may have changed, there is still the need for protection of one form or another. 

Society has a Pronoia well established in its minds eye, always expecting the best outcome from the powers that be. This post in contrast may seem like Paranoia, but, the very same thing that may have attracted the reader, also encouraged the poster.

It takes one major event to change the thinking of others, but that major event may be one step too far for the survivability of many.

Further information is encouraged by visiting:
http://www.redcross.org.uk/en/What-we-do/Preparing-for-disasters/How-to-prepare-for-emergencies

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-preparedness

https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/government/emergencies-preparation-response-and-recovery

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