Year: 2015

Bonfire Night

Chris Uncategorized0 Comments

Bonfire night is one of the most exciting nights of the year for both adults and children. Its great to get out and see the fire roar and watch the fantastic spectacle of the fireworks display. However,  it is very important to stay safe whilst attending a organised or indeed your own bonfire and firework event.

Every year despite warnings from local council, fire and rescue services and tv/radio campaigns people are injured and suffer burns as a result of not following simple guidance and advice about staying safe with bonfires, fireworks and sparklers.

Simple advice such as stand far enough away from the bonfire and fireworks, don’t go near a firework once it has been lit and don’t use sparklers without wearing gloves are often forgotten resulting in injuries and in particular burns.

A burn is a type of injury to skin and surrounding tissues, caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. Burns can be minor, causing reddening of the skin and perhaps a small blister and such injuries can be treated successfully by first aid and will heal naturally. Burns can sometimes be deep and cover large surface area and will require further medical assistance. Our priority as first aiders is to cool the burn by flooding the burnt area with cold water as quickly as possible. This will stop the burning by killing the heat, minimise swelling and relieve pain and when cooled sufficiently, we can cover the burn to minimise the risk of infection. This can be done by wrapping  cling film loosely around the limb, or using a sterile non fluffy dressing. Do not apply lotions or ointments, do not burst blisters and do not remove clothing that is stuck to the burn. If unsure or concerned about the seriousness of a burn or scald, advise the casualty to seek medical advice.

Where ever you are have a safe and enjoyable bonfire night!

Brayden CPR Manikin

Paramedical First Aid Training CPR0 Comments

Following the positive feedback  we received from delegates experiencing CPR using the Old Fat Fred manikin, we have purchased 2 Brayden CPR manikin’s. The “BRAYDEN” is a CPR Manikin which displays a visual flow of blood from the heart to the brain during  CPR. The purpose of CPR is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood artificially into the brain during cardiac arrest to prevent brain damage.

The blood indication illumination lights  represent the flow of blood from the heart to the brain. The speed of the blood flow shown varies according to the depth and speed of the compressions. These will only fully light once the rate of compressions is over 100 per minute.

Resuscitation Manikins are a first class tool to anyone interested in learning Basic Life Support.  This device has an additional function which helps both the instructor and delegates to visualise what happens to the flow of blood to the brain based on effective chest compressions. This provides confidence and the ability to the delegate, in the event they may have to provide CPR to a real casualty in the future. Already the feedback we have received from delegates using the Brayden has been fantastic with these manikins further aiding delegates to be practically ready first aiders.

Fat Old Fred CPR Manikin

Paramedical First Aid Training CPR, First Aid Training0 Comments

A question Chris and I are often asked on our courses is” how does CPR using the manikins compare to real life”. A very good question, as often real victims of cardiac arrest tend to be older and obese. Of course we can answer the question, but how would a student really understand the real differences in performing CPR on such a victim.

That is why we have invested in two Fat Old Fred manikins by Simulaids to prepare students to respond to a more typical cardiac arrest event with a victim who is elderly and overweight. The Fat Fred has a more elderly physical appearance, as well as a large rotund body type and extra fat layer. The differences the students experience in difficulty and effort are there to be seen, and really does help them prepare far better if they were to be faced with this type of cardiac arrest victim. The feedback we also get from students after using Fat Fred is always positive, with a realisation and appreciation of the chance to experience such difficulties, been only beneficial to their first aid skills and responsibilities.

First Aid #RappedUp

Chris First Aid Training0 Comments

We welcomed last weeks launch of the First Aid Rapped Up campaign by the British Red Cross. The campaign, which aims to accentuate child safety concerns and associated emergency first aid techniques is based on the results of a recent survey in which 65% of parents had indicated that they wished they had learned some first aid skills prior to embarking on parenthood. The centre point of the initiative is a number of music videos featuring small children rapping about particular areas of concern as featured in the survey results; part one deals with poisons and plans for two more covering burns and then seizures have been made public.

The quirky videos are certainties to catch peoples’ imagination, generate interest across social media and place the benefits of possessing first aid skills firmly at the forefront of the public’s consciousness. Allied to this, celebrity mums including Catherine Tyldesley, Tamzin Outhwaite, Katherine Kelly and GMTV’s new mum Charlotte Hawkins have all helped highlight the campaign. Indeed, Jools Oliver’s comments that first aid is fun to learn particularly resonated with us as they echoed the thoughts in our earlier blog which discussed access to training in your own home. In the same article Jools also described how brushing up on her first aid skills helped demonstrate an inaccuracy in her prior first aid understanding, and this is an area often overlooked. As is the case in most domains, techniques are constantly evolving as our understanding of the subject matter matures, so it is vital that we keep ourselves abreast of such changes. We are very fortunate that as practising Paramedics we’re continually being trained in lifesaving techniques to keep our skills at the highest possible standard

It’s great to see the need for first aid skills again being publicised, access to them being made easier and teaching of the courses being made more varied and engaging. The more people we can ensure are accurately knowledgable in first aid the safer we should all feel.

Paramedical modes of delivery

Chris Uncategorized0 Comments

Its been 6 months since we started offering our “at home” services where we come to you at a time that suits you to deliver content based entirely on learning needs that you’ve recognised.  In this time we’ve delivered sessions to clients ranging from expectant parents to time-limited professionals seeking to enrich their skill set beyond their immediate career.  When we started offering this mode of delivery we, of course, had expectations about how the courses would be received and the benefits we expected them to provide, however, in the process of providing these courses we have uncovered benefits far beyond these.

We expected the a la carte approach to course content to be popular; time is becoming more and more precious so why sit through a range of subjects when you’re interest lies in a particular subset of the field – you might be a young parent concerned about how to recognise and react to genuine paediatric emergencies, or a carer wanting to brush up on your particular areas of concern. Another key benefit we anticipated was much like the traditional mobile hairdresser, the reduction in overheads means that our costs are reduced and consequently so is the cost to you, and as we charge by the hour for this mode of delivery its entirely up to you how bite-size you want the content to be. Many of us have been brought up to expect formality around learning environments but we’ve received feedback that the familiar surroundings offered by peoples’ living rooms, dining rooms and studies, to be comforting and consequently conducive to learning; people like to get in from work, grab their daily dose of their favourite soap and then continue to learn (sometimes in their joggers and slippers!).

As well as the aforementioned focus on course content there is obviously greater focus on the individuals in this delivery mode. Group sizes tend to be smaller meaning more of a share of the instructor’s time and of course as you’re amongst friends (usually family) the question-phobia some people experience in more formal settings is eliminated. Ask as many silly questions as you like, not only will it help reinforce your learning but give you all something to share (laugh about) at family gatherings for years to come – A sort of viral learning!

It stands as testament to how satisfying people are finding this approach that clients are booking their 12 month refreshers immediately upon completion.

Student First Aid Awareness

Chris Uncategorized0 Comments

Chris has delivered the first of our new one hour First Aid awareness lessons. Covering three different topics with 3 different year groups in the same day. The feedback Chris got from both students and teachers was fantastic and really positive. The students were still buzzing about the lessons later that day. We will visit your school and offer a wide range of lesson topics covering aspects of the school curriculum. Contact us for details.

Our Training save’s life’s!

Chris Uncategorized0 Comments
I just wanted to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone involved in dealing with the medical emergency at lunchtime. Amongst everything else that was happening you were professional, caring, efficient and ultimately saved Raheem’s life. Who expected Chris T’s training to be put into action so soon?!
Well done everyone

Additional training courses now available!

Chris Uncategorized0 Comments

Increasing the number of courses we deliver, Paramedical now offers two further courses; CPR & AED as well as Basic Life Support (BLS) & Anaphylaxis.

This CPR & AED course is for people aged 18 years and over. The course is designed for candidates who wish to be trained in Basic Life Support and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine but do not have a current first aid certificate.
Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) are now becoming more common throughout a range of public and work places. This course is able to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to operate the AED safely.

This very practical course will enable your learners to use the AED competently and with confidence. Not only does this course deal with the use of an AED but it also includes vital training in resuscitation and choking procedures.

The AoFAQ Level 2 Award in BLS & Management of Anaphylaxis qualification has been designed to provide the knowledge and skills to manage casualties with anaphylaxis. The course provides the underpinning knowledge and appropriate skills to manage casualties ultimately if required to perform effective BLS until emergency services arrive. This qualification is aimed at anyone who requires a first aid qualification which covers additional training for the management of anaphylaxis.

Two great courses with lots of practical element!

Exciting News

Chris Uncategorized0 Comments

With limited availability for course’s in April, we continue the busy start to the year. We’d like to thank all our customers who have used Paramedical First Aid Training  and we look forward to delivering more training for you in the future. Chris and I are really excited to announce plans are now also in place for Paramedical to offer even more training courses later on this year. Watch this space!