Cerebrospinal fluid is a type of body fluid which looks very similar to water. It is a liquid that is clear and colourless. One of its main functions is to protect the central nervous system from damage. It provides mechanical protection and is found surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. The brain produces around […]
Category: The Body
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeds are very serious as the casualty is still technically losing blood, even if it is still technically inside their body. Internal bleeding is often very hard to detect, as no blood can be seen leaving the body. Instead, it pools inside the body, building up over time. The bleeding can occur around organs, […]
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body uses more water than you consume. If you do not consume enough water this can affect the functions of the body. This occurs because the balance of minerals, vitamins and other chemicals in your body is not normal. Dehydration has an effect on proper nutrition as the correct fluids are […]
Adult CPR
Adult CPR, or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, is vital for restarting someones heart if it stops beating. If someone is unconscious, check to see if they are breathing and if they are not, commence CPR. Arriving at the Scene As a First Aider, the first thing you should always do is check for dangers. Your safety […]
Sickle Cell Anaemia
Sickle Cell Anaemia affects the haemoglobin in red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic condition where the red blood cells are not a normal (biconcave) shape. Instead, they look like sickles. Due to it being genetic, people are born with this […]
Biphasic Anaphylactic Response
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, however, with all anaphylactic reactions, a biphasic anaphylactic response is possible. This like a second wind of the reaction, yet there is a clear time distinction between the two. With anaphylaxis, there would be an immediate reaction to the trigger. The biphasic anaphylactic response then follows. These second reactions can […]
Cervical Collars
Cervical collars are specifically designed to immobilise the part of the spine in someone’s neck. These will be used when a patient has a suspected spinal injury. After things such as car crashes, most people involved may be fitted with cervical collars. You need to fit one onto a casualty with the greatest care. This […]
Aerobic Respiration
Respiration is one of the seven characteristics of life. Without it, life would not be possible. Respiration is the conversion of food chemicals into waste products and a chemical which provides energy for life. There are a few different types of respiration, the main of which is aerobic respiration. The other main type of respiration […]
The Muscular System
The muscular system consists of three main types of muscle tissue. There is smooth tissue, cardiac tissue and skeletal tissue. Muscles make up a lot of the nervous system (although they can be a part of other systems as well). Two certain proteins form the majority of muscles: actin and myosin. These protein strands overlap […]
Effective CPR
Effective CPR is key to having a higher chance of resuscitating a patient who has had a heart attack. The optimum position for providing CPR is by the side of the victim to allow for easier movement between the compressions and the breaths. Compressions could be given over the head if the victim is in […]