Harberry Training

The effect on the body of entering water 15°C and below can be the precursor to drowning accidents. The term “cold water shock” was coined to describe a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water (however, these reactions can sometimes work against us). “Cold water” isn’t just icy water, this could be the temperature of an indoor pool and what cold water shock does to our bodies. This article will discuss cold water shock and the effects on the human body. For more information head to our blog on first aid training in Glasgow, to learn more.

Why is Cold Water Shock Dangerous?

Water below 15°C is classified as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so the risk is significant most of the year. In the UK and Ireland, the average sea temperatures are just 12°C

Effects of Cold Water Shock

There are 3 stages the human body goes through during cold water shock. It starts off with a gasp for air followed by rapid breathing or hyperventilation. As your breathing loses control, your blood pressure will dramatically increase as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving to the middle of your body. This is the reason we go pale when we are cold.

When your breathing goes back to normal, this is a small window of time to get out of the water before the more serious effects of cold water shock sink in. As the muscles cool, the strength, endurance and muscle control reduces to a state that it becomes difficult to swim. At this point, you experience “swim failure” and if you’re still in the water and cannot get hold of buoyancy aid, then you will likely drown.

What To Do

Take a minute. The effect of will pass in a minute so do not panic.

Relax & float to catch your breath. Grab a hold of something to help with buoyancy.

Keep calm.  Once relaxed, then call for help or swim for safety if you can.

Risk of Hypothermia

The truth is that unless they have a way of surviving past the point of swim failure (i.e holding something to support buoyancy),  you will drown before you become hypothermic. On average, it takes the human body 30 minutes to experience hypothermia.

Unfortunately, heart attacks are quite common, with over 86,000 people from England, Wales and Northern Ireland having a heart attack between April 2019 and March 2020. Knowing how to help someone having a heart attack or Cardiac Arrest is not only a useful but an essential thing to know.

It’s therefore useful to do a first aid training course to be able to recognise when someone is having a heart attack, and know the signs and symptoms to look out for.

It’s life saving to know the difference between a Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest or someone suffering with Angina and below you can find all of the information.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack:

Chest pain – a sensation of tightness, pressure or squeezing in your chest.

Sweating.

Pain on other parts of your body. (Left arm is common, but can be both. Can also be jaw, neck, stomach or back.) It can also feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest into your arms.

Shortness of breath.

Feeling lightheaded/dizzy.

Feeling sick/being sick.

An overwhelming feeling of anxiety.

Wheezing/coughing.

The chest pain can be severe however it does affect people differently, with some people only experiencing minor pain.

It is the most common symptom in both men and women.

Women are more likely to experience

Shortness of breath,

Nausea/vomiting.

Back or jaw pain.

Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest and Angina and How to Respond

Heart Attack

A heart attack happens when the supply of blood to the heart becomes blocked, depriving it from oxygen. The more time that passes without the person being treated, the more the heart muscle will suffer. It’s important to get the person to a hospital to restore the blood supply.

A person suffering from a heart attack will more than likely be conscious and breathing.

If you think someone is having a heart attack you should encourage them to sit down.

If they have a GTN spray-use now. This dilates the blood vessels around the heart.

If this does not help, give them an Aspirin Tablet if they have them prescribed.

A Heart Attack can lead to Cardiac Arrest. If the person falls unconscious- start CPR.

Cardiac Arrest

A Cardiac Arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood around the body, causing the person to stop breathing properly and the heart to stop.

This means there’s less oxygen in the body and the person needs immediate CPR.

You should call an ambulance right away and look for the nearest defibrillator-the quicker you respond the better. Time is vital when it comes to Cardiac Arrest.

Call an Ambulance.

Angina

Angina is when there is a reduced blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain. It can, like a heart attack be felt as a heaviness, tightness or squeezing in the chest. Angina is quite common however it is a symptom of coronary artery disease and should be checked out to determine which type of angina you have.

GTN Spray is used to treat Angina.  

Knowing what to do in emergencies will give you peace of mind in knowing that you can save someone if needed.

Signing up for a first aid training course is one of the most useful things you can do with your time and Harberry Clinic is dedicated to get as many people trained as possible.

It is essential to learn how to Treat Burns by administering first aid.

Here at Harberry Training, we provide First Aid training courses in Belfast, to ensure individuals that they have the correct skills in case of an emergency.

Call 999 if:

The burn penetrates all layers of the skin

Skin is leathery or charred looking and has white, black or brown patches

The victim is an infant or elderly senior

Necessary Aid to Treat All Burns:

Stop the burning immediately by helping the individual “stop, drop and roll” to smother the flames.

Put out the fire or help the individual and stop the contact with hot liquid, steam or other materials

Remove smouldering material from individual

Remove burned clothing and if the clothing sticks, cut or tear around it.

How to Treat First Degree Burns

This is a burn affecting the uppermost layer of the skin.

Cool burn by running under cool (not cold) water or immersing it in cool water until the pain subsides. Use cool compresses if running water isn’t available.

Protect burn by covering it with sterile and non-adhesive bandage. Do not apply fragrance oils and creams. Apply a petroleum-based ointment to the area 2-3 times a day.

Treat the pain by ingesting pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Panadol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen).

Seek medical aid if you see signs of infection such as redness, increased pain, swelling or oozing. If there are burn blisters larger than 2 inches, seek medical help.

Doctors may examine the wound and prescribe additional medication such as antibiotics.

How to Treat Second Degree Burns

These are burns that affect the top two layers of the skin.

Cool the burn by immersing it in cool water for 10-15 minutes.  Do not apply ice as this may lower the body temperature and cause further damage to the burn.

Protect the burn by covering it loosely with a sterile bandage and secure in place with gauze or tape

Prevent shock to the person by laying them flat (unless they have a head, neck or leg injury) and elevate their feet about 12 inches. Elevate the burn area above heart leave, if possible and cover the individual with a blanket or coat.

Seek medical help and have a doctor examine the burn. Depending on the severity, they can prescribe antibiotics and pain medication as well as administer a tetanus shot, if necessary.

Third Degree Burns – Call 999

This is a very severe and potentially life-threatening burn. Third degree burns affect the top 3 layers of the skin.

Call 999

Protect the burn area by covering it loosely with sterile, non-stick bandages or for larger area, materials that won’t leave lint in the wound.

Separate toes and fingers with dry, sterile dressings.

Do not soak the burn in water or apply oils and ointments as this increases the risk of infection.

Unless the individual has a head, neck or leg injury, try to lay them flat and elevate their feet about 12 inches.

Elevate the burn area above the heart level if possible and cover the individual with a blanket.

For airway burns, do not place a pillow underneath the individual as this may close the airway.

Have individuals with facial burns sit up.

Check the pulse and breathing monitor for shock until emergency medical aid arrives.

If you want to know how to treat burns, Harberry training clinic will teach you everything you need to know.

You may have noticed more defibrillators being installed, whether that is in your workplace or your local area- all because of the life saving cause they serve – AED first-aid training save lives.

While a defibrillator is equipped with technology that interprets a person’s heart rhythm while giving voice commands to the person operating it, getting AED first aid training is a great advantage.

Having one of these nearby gives people a sense of security in knowing that in the case of an emergency, they have a better chance.

Every second matters in an emergency situation and knowing exactly what to do and going about it quickly will increase a victim’s chance of surviving.

A person who’s suffering from cardiac arrest survival decreases by 7% to 10% every minute without defibrillation, so it’s so important to be fast and efficient with everything you do in this situation.

What Exactly is an AED?

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator and it’s a device with a built-in computer that can create an electric shock to the heart of someone suffering from cardiac arrest.

It first assesses a patient’s heart rhythm to determine whether shock is needed, and voices everything out loud so that the person accompanying the victim can follow any instructions and be aware of what’s happening.

Portable defibrillators were first introduced back in the 1960s and have been saving lives ever since.

How do Automated External Defibrillators work?

These portable devices are found in a lot of public places and the main goal of them is to restore a normal heart rhythm to a person suffering from cardiac arrest- using a shock.

You can usually find the following in an AED

Face Shield

Rubber Gloves

Towel

Scissors (to cut through any pieces of clothing)

Razer (To shave any chest hair)

The most important thing about defibrillators is that they can check a person’s heart rate and use that information to advise on the best action to take.

Being a computer, it’s highly accurate which is one of the reasons why it’s so successful in saving lives globally.

How to Use a Defibrillator (part of AED first-aid training)

Turn on AED and listen to audio instructions.

Open the victim’s shirt, exposing the chest and wipe it dry.

Attach AED pads and plug.

Do not touch the person once the Defibrillator is on.

Push button to let Defibrillator analyse heart rhythm.

If AED instructs you to send electric shock, push the button.

After the shock, administer CPR and follow instructions on AED.

You should perform CPR if the defibrillator does not suggest a shock and continue following instructions.

Harberry first aid training in NI is keen on providing people with necessary first aid training and AED operator courses.

Early defibrillation and effective CPR are crucial in the chain of survival within cardiac arrest victims, undergoing an AED training course could save a life.

Meeting the HSE and Resuscitation Council training recommendations for use of AED, Harberry training is fully licenced and professional in their training deliveries.

In only 3 hours you’ll be trained in the following:

Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Ventricular Fibrillation and Sudden

Cardiac Arrest

Defibrillation

Adult and child CPR

Practical use of AED

Care and maintenance of AED

If you’re considering joining this training course, it will be worth your while, and the person’s you could possibly save thanks to this.

You can book your AED first-aid training course with us today.

Head injuries are some of the most common injuries for small and young children. It is often difficult to gauge whether or not an injury is serious, our first aid training at Harberry helps to prepare you for such an important and critical assessment. However, that being said, any knock to the head should be considered a head injury and guardians should seek out professional medical care immediately.

What Causes Head Injuries

Head injuries are more common in young children due to inability to control the movement of their heads in comparison to adults. Their heads are larger in proportion to their body and the neck muscles are still in the middle of developing.

The centre of gravity of a child’s body is closer to their head as they have shorter legs in comparison to the size of their body. Their motor skills are being developed too resulting in higher chances of falling and hurting themselves.

Types of Head Injuries

Head injuries can range from mild to serious injuries. Serious head injuries include inflicted injuries such as Shaken Baby Syndrome, where there is deliberate harm to the child.

There is are multiple parts of the head that can be affected from an injury:

External – involving the scalp

Internal – affecting the skull, the blood vessels or the brain

Injuries to these areas can cause the following:

Concussions

Skull Fractures

Contusions

Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is a direct result of a blow directly aimed at the head or other injuries where the head is moved with blunt force. There may be external injuries to the head such as cuts or bruising but the real damage can be internally.

Symptoms of concussions can range from mild to severe depending on the seriousness of the injury. Symptoms include but are not limited to:

Becoming unconscious

Blurred vision

Confusion

A series of migraines or headaches

Dizziness or vertigo

Changes in personality

Skull Fracture

A skull fracture is a break in the skull. There are 4 types of skull fractures:

Linear Skull Fracture – break in the bone but the bone remains in its original position.

Depressed Skull Fracture – part of the skull has sunken in due to trauma.

Diastatic Skull Fracture – fractures along the suture lines on the skull. These are the areas where the bones in the head fuse as a child grows. These types of fractures are more common within newborns and infants.

Basilar Skull Fracture – break in the base of the skull.

Contusion

Contusion is bruising to the brain. Contusions can cause bleeding and swelling in the brain where the blunt trauma occurred. Contusions are more often seen on the scalp or forehead. Blood from the blood vessels will result in red or purple bruising visible on the skin.

Signs & Symptoms of a Head Injury

Small children with a head injury may have the following:

Loss of consciousness

Swollen scalp

Recurring headaches

Vomiting

Head injuries can also be a result from other types of injuries and thus it is a parent’s responsibility to look out for other symptoms away from the head such as trouble breathing, spinal injuries and severe bleeding.

How to Diagnose Head Injuries

Injuries will be diagnosed through CAT scans, blood tests, X-rays, MRIs and EEGs. However, these are diagnoses that can only be performed by medical personnel and thus it is important for parents to prioritise seeking medical help for a suspected head injury.  

Only your healthcare provider can give the best course of action based on your child’s medical history, their age, if they need particular medication or therapy.

How Should a Parent Aid a Child with a Head Injury

At home, small children with mild head injuries should be given plenty of rest and sleep, particularly in the first 24-48 hours since the accident occured. If your child has a headache following an injury, it is best to give them paracetamol every 4-6 hours to relieve the pain.

If you find it difficult to wake your child or they fall unconscious, call an ambulance immediately, as they will need to be observed immediately by a medical professional.

Head Injury Prevention

In order to prevent future head blows to your children, consider babyproofing your home to minimise household accidents. As babies grow from one life stage to another, their set of abilities and skills will also further develop and this is what may lead to accidents.

Always play gently with your child; shaking or slapping a child will result in injury to the brain. As a guardian, it is your responsibility to notify medical services. Young children must be supervised at all times to prevent injury.

Examples of preventative measures are as follows:

Using a baby gate to block stairways; install one at the top of the stairs and at the bottom of the stairs.

Block corners of furniture like table tops and dressers. If small children are running around, they may hit their heads on sharp corners of furniture.

Keep your children away from elevated surfaces unsupervised.

Supervise your children when they play outside as they may fall and hurt themselves.

Use appropriate and approved car seats when travelling in vehicles.

Wear helmets riding bikes or tricycles.

Understanding the basics of choking first aid is an essential skill for any parent. Babies can choke on a variety of items such as food, small toys or household items.

You must call 999 immediately if the baby unresponsive.

The Signs Your Baby is Choking:

Face is pale

Lips appear blue

Coughing with no sound, otherwise known as silent cough

Step 1 – Give Back Blows

Hold the baby, face down along your thigh with their head lower than the rest of their body . It is important to support the baby’s head, jaw and neck. Give up to 5 back blows by hitting their back firmly between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

If the back blows dislodge the object, remove it. If you cannot see the object, do not look for it using your finger as you may end up pushing the object back further.

Back blows are designed to create pressure in the airway which would allow the object to be dislodge, allowing the child to breathe again.

Step 2 – Give Chest Thrusts

Turn the baby upwards so that they are facing you along your thigh. Remember to support their head and neck. Place your index and middle fingers in the middle of their chest, which is the breast bone. Push sharply, up to 5 times.

In doing so, chest thrusts will push air out of the lungs which may dislodge the object.

Step 3 – Call 999 if the Blockage Is Not Clearing

Continue repeating steps 1 and 2 until the blockage is dislodged or until medical assistance arrives or if the child becomes unconscious commence CPR.

It is important to seek medical help even after the blockage is dislodged as there may be remnants of the object or the baby may have been injured during first aid.

Sports in childhood plays a crucial role; it can help build a child’s confidence, their motor skills, help with both their physical and mental wellbeing and is a building block for social skills. However, according to the Royal Society of Medicine, almost half of the sport injury-related cases in A&E are that of children and teenagers.

It is crucial to catch injuries early on before they cause serious damage. In this article, we will discuss the most common sporting injuries in children, how they occur and how we can avoid these injuries. When it comes to first aid for sporting injuries, parents may be able to treat them using Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE). If the injuries are far more serious, it’s best to seek professional, medical attention.

Sprains

Although sprains are extremely common, it is important to know what to do with a sprained limb such as an ankle sprain. Sprains occur when the ligaments that support the wrist or ankle are stretched and torn. Your child could experience severe pain,  swelling and bruising making it difficult to put weight on the joint. Basic first aid training  would include compressing the area with an ice pack to combat swelling.

Concussion

Concussions are injuries involving the brain. They can occur when a collision results with a direct blow to the head. This causes the brain to shake within the skull, which can result in a multitude of symptoms. This includes headaches, nausea, blurry vision, and dizziness. Concussions can cause prolonged brain damage if there is a series of concussions. Use an ice pack on visible bruising and seek medical attention immediately.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear

The ACL is one of the most common injuries that occurs in sports. The ACL is a major ligament that helps to stabilise the knee joint. It’s primary function is to connect the femur to the tibia. A tear can occur if there is a blow to the outside of the knee. They may also occur after a jump or twist of the knee. As ACL tears are serious sporting injuries, it is important to see a physician immediately. They can cause severe pain, swelling and minimal movement in the knee. Whilst waiting for medical attention it is important to protect the injury, allow the injured to rest, place ice on the swollen area, provide support and if possible elevate the leg to reduce swelling.

Little League Elbow

This is elbow pain associated with sports such as basketball or volleyball where there is repetitive movement such as  overhead throwing. This pain is caused by the stress placed on the growth plate inside a child’s elbow, which will result in swelling, pain and difficulty straightening the arm. In order to treat Little League Elbow, it is important to rest the area and gradually return to the activity. Parents should seek additional help from a physiotherapist which will set up a rehabilitation programme for your child’s mobility.

Dislocations

Common dislocations include the shoulder, where the arm and shoulder don’t lay straight when held straight out. A dislocated shoulder can be determined by the sound of a “pop” followed by severe pain. It is important to note that dislocated joints must only be placed back in place by a licensed health professional such as a coach, paramedic or physiotherapist. For future prevention, parents should seek to have their children strengthen their shoulder muscles through physiotherapy.

Many people are sceptical about being that person who steps in during an accident, worrying they might do something wrong, or just not feeling confident enough. Doing something is better than doing nothing and at the end of the day, if there is even a miniscule chance of saving someone, those odds are better than no odds at all. Having a First Aid course done however, will give you the confidence to know exactly how to respond.

Everyone could be that person who has the relevant knowledge on First Aid best practices and all it takes is to get trained once in a lifetime and be that person for the rest of your lifetime.

Belfast family owned First Aid Training company are on a quest to pass their medical knowledge to anyone who wants to have the ability to help in critical situations.

From certified courses on First-Aid at work to Basic Life support and Paediatric First-Aid, you can get hands-on training on how to save a life and react in emergencies. Dedicating time learning about being a first responder in various situations like burns, unconsciousness or even heart-attack can give someone a chance to live that they didn’t have if it weren’t for you.

You Can Be The Person That Saves Someone

Wouldn’t you be at peace knowing that in the case of a person near you having an accident, you can be the person to save them?

Being the first person to notice an accident can be stressful, and your mind can jump straight into panic mode, however it’s important to stay calm and firstly make sure your surroundings are no longer unsafe. Whether that’s hot water that burned somebody, or traffic nearby, getting away from danger is the first step. First Aid training courses will teach you ways if you find someone in an emergency so you can learn to remain calm and think of solutions.

Communicating Crucial Information To Medical Help

Being at the scene of an accident you’re also gathering very crucial information that you can communicate with medical staff, who can respond quicker and more efficiently. You become a crucial  “link in the chain of survival” – so you make more of an impact than you might think.

You can let the medical team know exactly what happened and what you did to help along with any relevant information the person may not be able to communicate due to unconsciousness or injury. This information is vital as it determines the decisions made, and your input could help make the right ones.

It Can Prevent The Situation From Worsening

First Aid can not only just save a life but also prevent someone from developing lifelong side effects and disabilities. Being the person who decides to help out a critical situation can save someone from a life of pain and misery. Even if you’re not saving a life, you are still saving someone from changing their life for the worse.

You’re also the person providing emotional support and helping them get through the situation by easing their stress. This can help them enormously in dealing with their trauma.

What Is The Definition of a Workplace Hazard?

Workplace hazards occur when the working environment poses a risk of injury, disease, or death to an employee, we have both Belfast and Glasgow first aid courses. Hazards can arise from a variety of factors in the workplace, including equipment, hazardous materials, unsafe working methods, and general human behaviour.

Hazards are generally more dangerous for lone employees since they are less likely to get immediate backup from co-workers. Our Knowledge Hub guides look at the risks faced by lone workers in a variety of industries, including housing, utilities, field services, local governments, charities, and health.

Types of Hazards in the Workplace

There are six types of workplace hazards: safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical, and workload.

1. Safety

Workplace hazards can impact any employee, but it is those that are working with machinery or posted to a building site that have a higher likelihood of being impacted. Slipping, tripping and falling, alongside operation dangerous or large machinery and electrical hazards are all safety concerns. The utilities industry is the sector that is most affected by safety risks. The health and safety executive reported people that were killed at work between 2018 and 2019, by moving vehicles and dangerous machinery.

2. Biological

Biological workplace hazards are exceptionally dangerous. These hazards apply to people that through working with animals, people and infectious plant materials are exposed to dangerous substances and diseases associated with them.

Hospitals, building sites and laboratories are just some that come to mind. There were 2,523 mesothelioma deaths recorded in 2017 as a result of previous exposure to asbestos.

3) Physical

Sunlight and UV rays, loud noise, radiation are among the dangerous physical conditions that can affect an employee when continuously exposed. Not a huge issue in the UK, but working in the sun is the most vulnerable exposure for an employee. Loud noises would come in a close second, with the HSE reporting that around 23,000 employees suffer hearing impairments directly related to their job.

4) Ergonomics

Ergonomic hazards are those that place a huge strain on their body when carrying out their work, this can range from manual labour jobs (high risk) to office jobs, injury caused from long periods of time sitting.

This can be avoided by proper training in manual roles and through properly adjusted workstations in offices. These injuries are likely to show  themselves over time rather than in a single moment and are harder to identify. The HSE recorded that 21% of the reported non-fatal injuries in the workplace were due to handling or lifting heavy objects (2017/18).

5) Chemical

Those that have exposure to hazardous liquids, flammable gases and solvents are the most vulnerable to chemical hazards in the workplace. Engineers, cleaning staff and field employees are the most likely to be affected. The symptoms of exposure can range from skin irritation, respiratory issues and in certain circumstances – death. There are around 100 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning each year in the UK.

6) Workload

Workload hazards come in many forms, from aggression and violence in the workplace, right down to workload. Anything that causes an employee stress or strain is considered a workplace hazard. Any role can experience this hazard, but hose people that work at home or alone may find it difficult to express this. A labour force study found that over 40% of the 1.4 million employees that were surveyed displayed signs or work related stress, depression or anxiety.

There are so many hazards in all workplaces, they all may not ‘appear dangerous’, but some can be ‘silent killers’. It is important to understand all of the workplace hazards in order to best safeguard your business and your employees. We have been providing first aid training across Northern Ireland for decades, have recently expanded to bring first aid courses to Glasgow and are proud to support local businesses in training them for a safe workplace.

Fainting occurs when there is an inadequate blood supply to our brains. There are a number of reasons why people faint, however many are unsure of what to do when this incident occurs. Having the knowledge of some basic first aid steps can help to take control of these situations until the emergency services arrive. At Harberry Training we have a range of first aid at work training courses that will offer you first aid tips for when someone faints at work.

What Can Cause People To Faint?

Fainting is when you experience a loss of consciousness for a short period of time. This is caused by decreased blood flow to the brain. Some people are more prone to fainting than others and there are a number of reasons why someone can faint.

These include:

Anxiety attacks

Stress

Feeling too hot

Pregnancy

Hunger

Experiencing pain

Standing or sitting still for long periods of time

It is essential that your staff are trained in first aid training Northern Ireland as when they are faced with these emergency situations they will know how to check vital signs and prevent serious injury.

First Aid At Work Courses

What To Do If Someone Feels Faint In The Workplace?

If someone within your workplace is feeling dizzy and seems unresponsive, the first thing to do is to lie them down straight on their back and elevate their legs. This will help to improve blood flow to their brain. If his person is pregnant they should be placed on their left side which will help to prevent the restriction of blood flow going back to the heart.

If they are wearing tight clothing, such as belts, ties or scarfs, these should be loosened to help to improve their airflow.

Once the person has been placed in this position, you should try to revive them by speaking loudly or tapping them to see if they are responsive. It is also a good idea to check their pulse to ensure that they are breathing normally without any difficulties.

In some work environments, people may faint due to standing or sitting for long periods of time, they are stressed, or the workplace is overheating. This can cause someone to feel dehydrated, dizzy and faint. Once the person has regained their consciousness they should be given water mixed with an electoral powder such as Dioralyte or fruit juices as these will help to increase their blood sugar and maintain their electrolyte balance.

Make the person who has fainted rest and lie down for 30 minutes or more until they are feeling better. Not taking enough time to recover before going back to work may cause them to feel unwell and faint for a second time.

It’s important to bear in mind that fainting is usually a one-time event that isn’t usually caused by a medical condition. It is still important to get this person checked by medical professionals to rule out any unknown health issues. Knowing what has caused this person to faint may help to prevent this situation from happening again in the future.

Harberry Training offers first aid courses in Glasgow that is suitable for the workplace. This course will take 3 days to complete and participants will receive a Level 3 Award in First Aid at the Workplace that is approved by Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and 1982 (NI). This award will be valid for 3 years and your staff can attend an  FAIB approved course that is designed for your staff members who have previously completed the First Aid at Work Certificate.

For more information on how your staff can take part in a 3 day first aid at work course get in touch with a member of our team today.

Asthma and anaphylaxis can be managed by using medication, avoiding triggers and following a plan of action that was created for you by your doctor. Asthma attaches and anaphylactic shocks can narrow tour airways and cause the muscles around them to tighten. These reactions require immediate care as these situations can become dangerous in a matter of seconds. If you or someone in your household suffers from severe allergies or asthma it is a good idea to attend a first aid training course in case you are faced with a medical emergency. The team at Harberry Training have created a list on how to treat asthma and anaphylaxis emergency at home.

First Aid Training in Northern Ireland

Signs of an Asthma or Anaphylaxis Attack:

If you suffer from asthma or severe allergies, you should be prepared for an emergency even if you have your symptoms under control for a number of years. Knowing how to spot these symptoms will help you to monitor your condition and whether you need emergency treatment that could save your life.

Signs of an asthma attack include:

Continuous coughing that doesn’t stop

Wheezing and shortness of breath

Tightness in your chest

Quick and heavy breathing

Pale or red face

Signs of anaphylaxis include:

Anxiousness

Confusion and extreme tiredness

Difficulty walking, talking or completing daily tasks

Feeling out of breath and trouble breathing

Lips and fingernails turning blue

Unconsciousness

Recognising and treating these symptoms quickly may help to prevent the attack from getting worse. There are a number of things you can learn from our first aid training Northern Ireland that will help you to treat these symptoms at home and when to recognise when emergency care is required.

Treating Asthma and Anaphylaxis Emergency at Home

If someone is having an asthma attack or experiencing anaphylaxis, you should follow the instructions that are outlined on their prescribed medication.

Ask the person to sit up straight rather than lie down. This will help to keep their airways clear if they are struggling to breathe.

Remain calm as stress can cause your chest to tighten which will make it harder for the person to breathe.

For those with asthma, they should take one puff of their reliever inhaler every 30 to 60 seconds with a maximum of 10 puffs. If you are suffering from anaphylaxis they should use their auto-injector. For guidance on how to use this read the information on the packaging.

If these symptoms continue to worsen after treatment you should call the ambulance. Continue to sit with the person and keep them calm until the emergency services arrive at the incident.

Alternatively, if the treatment works and the symptoms start to calm down, sit with the casualty until they are feeling better and can continue with their day to day activities.

At Harberry Training we have a range of first aid courses that will help you when faced with an emergency situation. Using these skills can be the difference between life and death for some people and can help to monitor a casualty until the emergency services arrive. For more information on the range of level 3 first aid courses available, get in touch with a member of our team today for more information.

When To Use Items In Your First Aid Kit

First aid kits are essential for workplace situations that don’t need a trip to the hospital or emergency room. These incidents may include burns, bee or wasp stings, cuts, minor falls, and other types of common workplace accidents.

Although there are measures within workplaces to prevent these scenarios, sometimes they still happen. Having a first aid kit within the office can be helpful in case these accidents take place. If you are unsure of when to use the items within your first aid kit or how to use them, the team at Harberry Training are here to help with our first aid courses Belfast.

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Why Are First Aid Kits So Important?

Within the UK thousands of people are badly injured or die in serious incidents. Many of these deaths could be prevented if first aid is performed before the emergency services arrive at the scene.

The British Standard BS 8599 give workplaces suggestions on the number of first aid kits a workplace should have and how big these kits should be. These recommendations will depend on how many employees are present within the workplace and if there are any hazards present in the working environment.

Lower-risk workplace environments, including office spaces, schools, libraries, retail shops, and cafes, will require fewer first aid kits compared to more hazardous environments. Their recommendations are as follows:

A small sized first aid kit for less than 25 employees require

One medium sized kit for workplaces with 25-100 employees

A large first aid kit per 100 people for an environment with over 100 employees

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Workplaces with higher levels of hazards present, such as warehouses, manufacturing chemicals, engineering, or using dangerous machinery, will require additional recommendations when it comes to their first aid. This includes:

One small sized first aid kit for less than 5 employees

A medium sized kit between 5-25 employees

One large first aid kit per 25 employees

Where You Should Place Your First Aid Kits

Constructing a first aid kit for your workplace is an easy task. They should be fully stocked and easy to access at all times to treat minor injuries that will not need emergency attention. Where these first aid kits are stored and how many you need should depend on the layout of your workplace, for example, certain floors within your workplace may have more hazards and will require a larger number of first aid kits.

First aid kits should be mounted to the call, stored in a cabinet or placed on top of countertops. They should be easy accessible, easy to see and there should be a sign that clearly states that there is a first aid kit near by.

What Should I Put Inside My First Aid Kit?

There is no required list of items that should be included within your first aid box. The HSE suggests the following first aid items be added to your kit:

An informational leaflet offering guidance on first aid

20 individually wrapped sterile plasters in a number of different sizes

2 individually wrapped sterile bandages

Medium and large individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings

2 sterile eye pads

3 pairs of disposable gloves

Safety pins

Workplaces with higher levels of hazards will require extra items within their first aid kits. These may include face shields or scissors to cut through clothing.

It is important to note that some of the items within your first aid kit will have expiration dates. It is essential that these dates are checked before use and that they are replaced once used or when they have reached their expiration date.

At Harberry Training we offer Level 3 courses in first aid at work training. These courses are suitable for anyone who has an interest in becoming a qualified first aider within their workplace. The qualification offered within this course is in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and 1982 (N.I.).

Participants within this 3 day first aid at work course will provide them with the skills and knowledge to manage incidents in both low and high risk work environments. For more information about our first aid training Northern Ireland and what our courses entail get in touch with a member of our team today.

In the workplace, all employers have a duty of care to their employees. You must be made aware of the health and safety practises of the business to ensure that you can safely comply with these. 

A risk assessment must be carried out on the workplace to ensure that there are enough first aiders in place in case of an emergency, we have more information on this in our requirements for first aid in the workplace blog, this includes what equipment is needed and this is decided on a per business basis. There is no one size fits all solution for first aid as every business varies in size, industry and premises as the precautions vary depending on these.

While there may be first aiders trained to respond to an emergency, the responsibility to begin first aid lies with the employer. 

There is no one time that an accident is more likely, they can happen to anyone at any time and having a staff force that is trained to deal with injuries is critical and could have the potential to prevent a minor injury progressing to a serious injury. There is absolutely no doubt about it, first aid saves lives every single day and they are a huge part of a business's operations. A first aid course doesn’t last forever, they require requalification every 3 years.

There are obviously some workplaces that pose more risk than others and this will determine whether you should take our 3 day first aid course or the 1 day course. If you are unsure which you should sign up for then please get in touch and we can certainly discuss your options with you.

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Cuts

The general rule of thumb in the case of an open wound is that if there is a large amount of blood, you call for emergency medical services straight away. With any cut, usually bleeding will stop when pressure is applied, if the bleed does not stop after 10 minutes of this then there could be a more serious injury that might not be immediately visible.

 Burns and scalds

There is a common misconception about burns that you should put ice cold water on a burn, but this is not true. A burn should receive Luke warm to cold water onto the site - never apply creams to a fresh burn.

If there is an object stuck to the skin, this should not be removed. Burns of the less serious nature can be treated with the typical first aid bag and within the workplace, but if there is a situation where there is a chemical or electrical burn could potentially require more medical attention.

 Falls, slips and trips

One of the more common workplace injuries, the ‘fall, slip or trip’. Ranging in severity there are a few things that need to be assessed immediately if a colleague loses balance and falls:

Assess if they can walk

Check if they are breathing

If they can walk, they may have gotten off scot free or with a sprained ankle or other limb, which will require attention. If the person is no longer breathing after a fall, then immediate CPR must begin, if they are or begin to breathe again the injured party must be put into the recovery position.

If there is any speculation in any situation as to whether the person has fallen on their neck or spine, then the person should not be moved until the paramedics arrive on the scene.

 Accidents Involving Machines

There are so many injuries that surround construction and machinery, often they are more serious and debilitating injuries. First rule of thumb in any situation involving machinery is to ensure that the machine is switched off to prevent further injury and assess the situation while calling for emergency medical assistance if necessary.

Loss of consciousness

If you find someone unconscious, there can be many reasons that this has happened. The first thing that you should do are remove any tight or restrictive clothing and check that the airways are clear from blockages. 

There are so many situations in life where emergency first aid is required, especially in the workplace and being trained in first aid could save someone's life one day. We run through the above scenarios in great detail in our first aid courses and many more situations to ensure that you really are prepared for anything should it happen.

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First Aid At Work

Emergency First Aid At Work

What are the are the first aid at work requirements?

First aid in the workplace, according to The Health and Safety Regulations 1981 “require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and people to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.”

Assessment of first aid requirements for your specific workplace

In every workplace there are different requirements, that is where a first aid needs assessment comes in. This is a process that will identify how your first aiders need to be trained, where in the building they need to be and how many of them need to be placed in the building. The number of first raiders that a business needs often boils down to how many people are in the building on average.

There are certain requirements so that the right assistance is available should it be required, to determine the requirements for any given business the following must be considered:

The type of workplace

The Size of the organisation

The accident history of the business

If there is general public coming onto the premises

What the work patterns are of the staff

Travelling and remote worker requirements

How far the business is from a hospital

Are there any disabilities or people with health problems?

When and how annual leave is granted

A first aid requirements assessment is an informal process that requires no written documentation, but if there ever comes a need to justify how that assessment conclusion was reached then it would be helpful to have a written copy of the first aid requirements assessment.

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First Aid At Work Training From Harberry Training

Harberry Training offers a FAIB accredited First Aid Training Belfast – First Aid at work.

There are so many situations in life that can lead to an emergency. Going into your workplace, you need to feel safe, as do your colleagues, that is why there are regulations surrounding first aid at work.

At Harberry Training, we provide comprehensive training for first aid at work and run through scenarios and complications that there might be in any situation to ensure that you are as prepared as possible if you were to be in a situation where it was necessary.

As well as general first aid at work, we have a tailored mental health first aid as well, the course is designed to focus on stress and other common mental health illnesses, it includes a comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan to assist those in crisis or in need.

What exactly is a seizure?

The medical name for a fit or convulsion is a seizure. At some point in their life, one out of every twenty people will have a seizure. Not everyone who experiences a seizure, however, will develop epilepsy.

Electrical activity in our brains is continual and regulates our motions and biological functions. If the blood flow to the brain is disrupted, a seizure can occur, resulting in uncontrollable movement of the eyes, limbs, and body.

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What occurs when you have a seizure?

The brain has an impact on the entire body. As a result, depending on which portion of the brain is involved, different parts of the body are affected. A seizure can range from an absence seizure, which is characterised by a momentary loss of awareness, to a tonic-clonic seizure, which involves the entire body in uncontrolled movements.

Seizures are usually only a few minutes long. Because the body's ability to circulate blood to the brain is reduced during this time, it's critical to call 999 (or provide medicine to end the seizure if prescribed) if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if there are multiple seizures.

What can lead to a seizure?

Head injury, brain tumours, stroke, meningitis, malaria, eclampsia in pregnancy, poisoning, lack of oxygen, elevated body temperature, epilepsy, drug and alcohol use and withdrawal, fainting, cardiac arrest, and many more causes can trigger seizures or disrupt blood flow to the brain.

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Feverish convulsions in young children

Five out of every 100 children under the age of six can experience febrile convulsions. They're not unheard of.

These are seizures that occur when a person's fever rises while they are sick. Seizures are terrifying, but they are rarely life threatening, and your child will usually grow out of them by the time he or she reaches the age of five.

Epilepsy

When someone has had at least one unprovoked seizure that cannot be traced to any other cause, they are diagnosed with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a rush of electrical activity causes messages to become confused, resulting in epileptic seizures.

Epilepsy affects roughly 600,000 people in the UK, making it one in every 100 people. It can begin at any age, but it is most common in children and those over the age of 60.

Although some varieties of epilepsy only last a short time and some children become epileptic as adults, epilepsy is generally thought to be a life-long disorder that is best managed with medicine.

However, the cause of epilepsy is unclear in more than half of all cases, despite the fact that many persons with epilepsy have a family history, implying a genetic component.

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What is the treatment for epilepsy?

Anti-epileptic medications can be used to treat epilepsy. Although these treatments do not cure the illness, they can help to stop or lessen the frequency of seizures.

In some circumstances, brain surgery or vagus nerve stimulation surgery may be effective.

For children with epilepsy, a ketogenic diet may be recommended.

Consider the following factors if you have epilepsy:

Many people who suffer with epilepsy are able to regulate their seizures and have completely normal lives. However, having epilepsy should be taken into account in certain activities, such as driving, and some medications can harm the foetus, so this should be discussed with your doctor if you're planning a pregnancy.

If you are epileptic, the DVLA will need to be notified, and they will give you the following advice:

Car drivers and motorcycle riders are often awarded a three-year licence if they have not had an epileptic attack in the previous 12 months unless they have seizures that fall under one of the exceptions.

Follow their doctor's or consultant's advice regarding therapy and check-ups.

After five years of seizure-free driving, drivers are normally awarded a licence that lasts until they are 70 years old.

If a driver has their first unprovoked epileptic seizure, they must take 6 months off driving from the date of the seizure unless there is a substantial risk of subsequent seizures, in which case they must take a year off. Any seizure must be reported to the DVLA.

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Seizure's first aid

Remove anything that could cause them harm and loosen any tight clothing.

Make a note of when the seizure began and, if possible, try to record the distinct phases of the seizure. When it comes to determining the cause of a seizure and initiating therapy, timing it can be incredibly helpful to the medical team. Specific details, such as if one side of the body is afflicted more than the other, can aid in their diagnosis.

Check the airway and breathing once the seizure has ended, and if the person is unresponsive and breathing, place them in the recovery position, or start CPR if they are not breathing.

Remember that people sometimes appear to be having a seizure when they are actually having a cardiac arrest; if you suspect this is the case, begin CPR and use an AED immediately.

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During a seizure, the following things may happen

Tonic Phase: They collapse to the ground when they lose consciousness during the tonic phase. The body stiffens and becomes hard. They may scream as though in pain, which is caused by involuntary muscle contractions that drive air out of the lungs. The casualty, on the other hand, is usually not in agony and is oblivious of the noise they are creating. It's possible that they'll start to turn blue around their mouth and fingertips.

Clonic phase - The muscles alternately relax and tense, causing them to rigidly jerk about. As the tongue flops to the rear of the airway, it may generate a snoring noise. It's possible that they're incontinent and are biting their tongue.

Phase after ictal — (A medical word to mean after a seizure). They may be puzzled, tired, anxious, or completely unresponsive once the jerking ceases. If you are concerned about someone, place them in the recovery posture. It's possible that neither they nor you are aware of who they are. It can take a few minutes to put everything back together. They may stay perplexed and act aggressively, tearfully, fearfully, or in ways that are out of character for them.

Nearly every course that we hold and flickered across the internet there are things brought up on how something should be done and well, they just aren't technically medically correct when administering first aid.  Some are a backward technique, some slightly off and some are just outright dangerous. We just want to right some wrongs today, once and for all and have a clean sheet on the best first aid practises that could save a life.

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You don’t have to give breaths

While there is some truth to this t being that you don’t HAVE to, but it is BEST that you DO. 

Compressions only CPR means that, as the human body only carries so much oxygen that the body of the patient will soon run out of oxygenated blood circulating their body. 

If someone who has drowned receives compression only form of CPR, then effectively, deoxygenated blood is being pumped through the body by carrying out the CPR, so it would be an ineffective and exhausting first aid process. The same goes for babies as they have a high oxygen demand and a low volume of blood circulating.

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How much air needs to be in my chest for CPR

Only enough air to make the chest rise is required for CPR. This works for adults, children and babies.

First Aid For Babies - Compressions While Holding On Arm

This is actually very common to crop up across the internet and in our classes and it is one that is not correct. Compressions are all about depth, by holding a baby, both on your arm or on your knee, you lose the depth and therefore the depth of the compressions that are necessary for the practice to have the desired effect. 

As well as all of this, the babys head ends up not being supported and you are going to become tired very quickly.

Correct practice for compressions on babies

Place the baby on a surface that is firm, the ground is usually a good option if possible, not a sofa or pillow. Make sure that the baby’s head is in a relaxed and comfortable position and begin compressions with two fingers, placed in the centre of the chest.

Heimlich Manoeuvre: Deemed Dangerous

The Heimlich Manoeuvre is deemed high risk and should no longer be administered. The organs that lie under are vascular, they could be damaged if it is performed incorrectly. There are many documented cases where this has been performed with life threatening implications as a result.  

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Elevation of limbs when bleeding

For an arterial bleed, this is most definitely ineffective. There is no evidence that supports this practice, we pump blood in our body’s to our brains, so it is going to continue to pump ‘uphill’. In certain cases, it has actually been said that this can cause more injury.  We teach the right practises in our first aid courses NI wide.

The long-term repercussions of head traumas have been a major source of worry, especially in recent years. As a result, a number of major athletic organisations have banded together to develop a unified approach to managing brain injuries in sports. The following article summarises their findings and includes a complete guide to recognising concussions as well as a graded return-to-play schedule.

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First aid training NI wide is becoming increasingly sought after as the nation seek to be better prepared in the unfortunate event of a medical emergency.

There has been a lot of studies that show there is a link between football and dementia. Former professional footballers are 3.5 times more likely to die from dementia and other catastrophic neurological illnesses, according to a study.

Although under-12s should no longer be heading the ball in training, this should not be taken to imply that it is safe for older youngsters. Our brains do not respond well to repeated head injuries! According to Angus Hunter of Stirling University, when young individuals head the ball, it creates electrical abnormalities in the brain, muscular disruption, and a loss of memory recall. When children head the ball in practice, they are repeatedly repeating the event, which can have a negative impact on their brains.

A softer, lighter ball could cause less potential injury. This would lower the rate of concussions in youngsters, which is much higher, and increase memory recall.

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When people hit their skulls, it's difficult to know if they've done any major harm. The majority of head injuries are minor and only result in a bump or bruise. Severe or recurrent head traumas, on the other hand, can harm the brain.

Fortunately, the majority of blows to the head are simply injuries to the scalp, which is more alarming than life-threatening – the head and face are served by numerous blood arteries, so these injuries bleed abundantly and can be rather frightening!

Following a head injury, it's critical to keep an eye out for anything odd, as a serious blow to the head can cause swelling and damage to the brain, and it's critical to recognise any early and concerning indicators of increasing pressure on the brain.

In the event of a head injury, the first steps should be taken.

Keep an eye out for the following in a child:

Consciousness loss

A lot of tears

Having difficulty walking

Head and neck pain is a common complaint.

Call 999 if you encounter these indicators.

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If the victim isn't an infant, hasn't passed out, and is alert and acting normally after the fall or blow:

For 10 minutes, apply a wrapped ice pack or an immediate cold pack to the wounded region.

For the next 48 hours, keep a close eye on them. For the first 48 hours after a severe head injury, no one should return home to an empty house. If you observe any of the indicators of a brain injury (listed below), call 911 right once.

If the person is particularly drowsy or cannot be awakened, or if they exhibit any of the indications of a brain injury (see below), call an ambulance right away. Following a head injury, people can sleep provided they appear to be fully awake and show no evidence of confusion, loss of consciousness, or any other symptoms. If you are concerned, seek medical help right once.

The cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain, but a significant blow to the head might cause the brain to collide with the side of the skull or tear blood vessels.

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Because determining the extent of the injury can be challenging, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor about a head injury. When someone loses consciousness or shows signs of bewilderment, it's a clear sign of more serious damage. These symptoms can appear anywhere between the time of the injury and a few days later. If a child gets hurt, it's a good idea for them to spend a few nights in the same room as you after a head injury.

If anybody exhibits any of the following signs, call an ambulance:

Unconsciousness

Breathing problems

A visible severe wound or a possible skull fracture

Clear fluid or bleeding from the nose, ear, or mouth

Speech or vision disturbance

Unevenly sized pupils

Weakness or immobility

Dizziness

Neck stiffness or pain

Fitting

Vomiting more than two or three times in a short period of time - it is normal for a child to vomit once due to the pain, so in this instance, do not panic. 

What to do if a person gets knocked out:

If they are breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side, with their tongue forward in their mouth and any vomit draining away), without twisting their neck or spine. As the head recoils from the blow, any head injuries could have resulted in spinal damage.

Start CPR if they aren't breathing.

An ambulance should be called immediately

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Initial concussion symptoms - the following are the most typical symptoms seen on the field in football and rugby:

Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, memory impairment, weariness, sleepiness, dizziness

The mood, equilibrium, sleep, thinking, concentration, and senses can all be affected by a concussion. The majority of symptoms go away in 7-10 days, and many go away much sooner.

What to do next:

Don't aggravate the situation — it's critical to take it seriously and rest.

Don't put yourself in danger again.

For at least 24 hours / 48 hours, rest your brain by getting plenty of sleep and avoiding reading, screens, and sports.

One or two days off school and a gradual return to academic study may be required for children and teenagers. They can begin with light reading and modest amounts of screen time, but they should monitor and stop if symptoms return.

Allow at least two weeks without training to allow the brain to fully heal.

The earliest an adult can return to play is 19 days.

The earliest a youngster or adolescent can return to play is 23 days.

Coaches and first responders should be confident in their abilities to:

Remove - Any player who has sustained a head injury and exhibits any of the symptoms listed above should be taken out of the game immediately.

Recognize and understand the symptoms of a concussion. Only around 10% of persons who have had a concussion will be unconscious; the remaining 90% will be awake. Along with the symptoms indicated above, look for more evident signals such as a bewildered or blank expression or tonic arm extension after a blow to the head.

Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel will minimise superficial bruising and swelling, but it will have no effect on brain repair.

If the patient has suffered a significant head injury and you are concerned about their spine, they should only be taken from the field by someone who has been properly trained to do so. If the casualty is anxious and there is no one who can help, reassure them, support their head in a neutral posture, stop the game – or walk to another pitch and wait for paramedics to remove the casualty.

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It is critical to recovering after a head injury.

It can take up to 4-6 weeks for a player to regain full fitness and return to competitive play. This may appear to be a long time since the game was last played. It is, however, comparable to the time it takes to recover from a soft tissue injury, and because the brain is so fundamental to every part of life, it is critical that we take head injuries seriously.

Head injuries are unfortunately one of the most common industries and youngsters and adults alike take to the fields. Being prepared for every situation that could arise is something that will give you great comfort in life. 

Would you know what to do? If not, our first aid training courses Northern Ireland wide are here to help, educate and prepare you for all of the situations that life might throw at you.