Bites When dealing with bites, there can be all sorts of different injuries. The main one will be bleeding. There could be rough tears or grazes and there could be puncture wounds in the skin. There could be bruising or even broken bones or soft tissue damage. The first thing we need to do is […]
A heart attack is when a blockage occurs in the heart which starves itself of blood and therefore oxygen. Lots of people think that a sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack are the same. However, a sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, however […]
The body is very effective at Thermoregulation – maintaining the correct internal temperature in extreme conditions of heat and cold. As humans, we can go skiing in freezing cold conditions or lay on a hot sunny beach. Controlling the Temperature of the Body We control our temperature by various means. Some are conscious decisions we […]
There are 2 main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. These account for around 98% of people with diabetes in the UK and the other 2% is made up of people with rarer types. Blood Sugar Levels Glucose is a sugar and is found in most food and drink. It is vital for […]
Shock is defined as a lack of oxygen to the body’s tissues. Many different things can cause this, and there are lots of different types of shock. Types of Shock The first one is hypovolemic shock. This occurs normally during or after a major trauma incident, for example, a car crash, where the patient loses […]
An allergy is an adverse reaction that the body has to a particular food or substance in the environment. Allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis. Most substances that cause allergies are not harmful and have no effect on people who are not allergic. An allergen is any substance that triggers an allergic reaction. Allergies The most […]
Asthma is a common life-threatening condition and its severity is often not recognised. It is a medical condition characterised by intermittent, reversible airway obstructions called asthma attacks. Asthma is a condition that affects the airway – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. When a person with asthma comes into […]
Cerebral Compression is where there is pressure on the brain caused by swelling or bleeding. This is a very serious condition and the Emergency Medical Services should be alerted. The swelling can be due to a build-up of blood within the skull or swelling of injured brain tissues. This may be caused by cerebral contusion, […]
Spinal Injuries can be life-changing, so as a First Aider, you must treat any patient with a suspected spinal injury with the utmost care. The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae and also contains the spinal cord. The spinal cord is where the messages from the brain are sent to control the entire body. […]
