www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

Who is looking after your baby?

2011-12-19T01:56:00.000-08:00

With the festive season soon upon us many will be hitting the party circuit and this becomes a boom time for babysitters. Many parents often turn to the teenage children of family friends to come and sit with their children whilst they are out for the price of a few pounds and a lift home maybe.
However have you ever given any thought to how they would cope if the worst should happen? Would they know what to do if your child choked on some food or a toy? Would they know how to deal with minor or major injuries? Would they know how to perform CPR?
What criteria do you use when hiring a babysitter? Most base it on price and somebody they know. But how many have asked about first aid qualifications.
We all know how easy it is for children, who lets be honest, cannot resist putting things in their mouths, to choke. If this is not dealt with promptly things can quickly get out of hand and the child can soon stop breathing and if nothing is done, die. What would that do to the poor teenager who had been hired to just sit with the children whilst the parents were out.
Often contact details are left with the sitter, should an incident occur, but is that enough? It only takes a few minutes for a child to suffer irreversible brain damage when they stop breathing and not much longer to die.
If you have a regular sitter why not check their ability to deal with an incident, are they first aid trained? If not why not invest in a course for them.
We provide a family first aid course, specifically aimed at domestic emergencies, for just £15 per head, Why not sign up for a course and include your sitter, we come to you and provide CPR training in the comfort of your own home. This way you will enjoy your party that much more knowing that your sitter is adequately equipped to deal with anything that may happen.
Contact us for more details or visit our website http://www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk
Something that you may find helpful is a free guide that you can download produced by the Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome which will help you to decide if your baby is seriously ill http://fsid.org.uk/document.doc?id=91

Would you know if it was flu or Meningitis?

2011-11-22T02:45:00.000-08:00

Meningitis is an infection of the linings of brain & spinal cord that can have devastating consequences. There are two forms, Bacterial and Viral. Both are serious, however the bacterial form can kill within hours if the symptoms are not recognised and treatment given.
The symptoms of Meningitis are notoriously difficult to spot, with many similar to that of flu, and they vary between individuals. A lot of people have heard of the rash that accompanies Meningitis, however this is often a late symptom if in fact it appears at all, and therefore should not be relied upon as a means of diagnosis.
Another myth is that it only affects children. Whereas incidents appear more often in the very young and students, Meningitis can in fact be caught by anybody.
Septicaemia, blood poisoning, is caused by the same germs that cause Meningitis, and you can have one without the other, but both need hospital treatment.
So what should you look out for?
Some of the key symptoms that occur more specifically in Meningitis & Septicaemia are:
Limb / Joint Pain
Cold Hands and feet / shivering
Rash ( small reddish spots that appear anywhere on the body that do not disappear when a glass tumbler is pressed over them)
Stiffness in the neck
Dislike of bright lights
Confusion
Seizures
Other symptoms that can occur are:
Vomiting / Fever
Pale Mottled Skin
Drowsy / difficult to wake
Babies may have a bulging soft spot on the head and be refusing to feed.

Time is of the essence, if you are at all worried seek medical help immediately because once symptoms start to appear then progression of the illness is very rapid. You could be ill at breakfast and be DEAD by tea time.
For more specific information about this life threatening illness book a paediatric first aid training course with us www.lifeforce-training-services or contact our friends at the Meningitis Research Foundation on their 24 hour helpline 08088003344 (UK)
In the meantime we have a very helpful video produced by the MRF that tells the story of Holly, who suffered from Meningitis and with the help of Dr Hilary Jones describes the symptoms to look out for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CRuPIe1moE

British Heart Foundation - Clopidogrel risks

2011-09-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

British Heart Foundation - Clopidogrel risks

Having a Heart Attack?

2011-08-03T00:18:00.000-07:00

In my never ending quest for knowledge and the mandatory requirement for instructors to maintain their qualifications by periodically undergoing refresher training, I attended a course last week, on which, for a change, I was the student.
During this session there was a discussion relating to heart attacks and the symptoms experienced, part of which was a video made by the British Heart Foundation which describes the signs & symptoms to look out for when a heart attack happens. It is very well made and I believe was part of a public awareness campaign on T.V.
Instead of an actor dressed as a Doctor rather patronisingly describing what you may experience, which seems the vogue for toothpaste adverts at the moment, you are subjected to a "physical" assault by the presenter which simulates how you may feel. It is very very good. I have managed to find it on You Tube and have placed the link here, enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUt1xXASm_s&feature=relmfu

Why Bother?

2011-06-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

You know it is really surprising how many people still think that they do not need to be trained in first aid or CPR skills. They have the attitude that "I will never need it" "It will never happen to me" "Why bother?"
Lets look at a few basic figures.
The NHS spends millions every year on a service that responds to emergency calls every day from members of the public. When I was working for the Ambulance service, during a 12 hour shift we would have an average of three vehicles operating out of our station during a day shift, sometimes more. Each crew would respond to an average 15 emergency calls from the public during that shift, OK these did not all turn out to be life threatening emergencies, however they were serious enough to prompt somebody to make an emergency call.
Now this was just a locality that covered 30 miles of English coastline, so in any 12 hour day shift the three vehicles would deal with an average 45 calls EVERY DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK, 365 DAYS PER YEAR. This would not include the extra vehicles that would be drawn into the area when all three crews were busy.
When a person collapses of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, their chances of survival diminish by 10% for every minute of delay in giving CPR.
An Ambulance is required to attend 75% of life threatening calls within 8 minutes (Government set target). So even given ideal conditions and the Ambulance arrives within that timespan, that person has already lost 80 % of their survivability chance.
It can be seen from these figures that the chances of YOU coming across an emergency are a lot higher than you would think.
Prompt action is essential, and doing the right thing could mean the difference between life & death for many.
Too long we have been content to believe that it is the guys in the big high profile yellow truck who are going to save our nearest & dearest. In actual fact they just form a link in the chain of survival it is the person who is on scene who will make the difference.
It takes just 3 hours to learn Basic Life Support Skills, just 6 hours to complete a one day HSE approved Emergency First Aid Course that will teach you to manage a medical emergency until the professionals arrive.
Imagine how helpless you would feel if somebody collapsed in front of you, the look of fear in their eyes as they fell to the floor, and how that look would haunt you as you stood by helpless as the life seeped from those eyes.....!
There are no guarantees in this life and CPR only buys time, but it buys valuable time, and early intervention has proven to make a difference.
It is estimated that around 100,000 people collapse in the UK every year from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, nearly half of those could be saved if CPR were performed immediately and an AED were used within minutes. AEDs are becoming widely available in public places but are still not always available, CPR skills ARE potentially within everybody's hands and can make a difference.
Sign up today for a course somebody somewhere may be glad that you did!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEc0vLu2jJw

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT COURSE in Canterbury

2011-03-22T01:48:00.000-07:00

With the success of our recent open courses we are planning on delivering a variety of training courses open to the public throughout the rest of the year.
The next date to put in your diary is June 11th
We are running two courses on this date in Canterbury

0930 - 1230 First Aid for Parents teaching you how to identify and manage life threatening conditions in children. Includes Child / infant CPR, Croup, Epiglottitis, Meningitis, Febrile convulsions, Choking. This Course is £15 per head

1300 - 1600 Basic Life Support. Learn CPR skills to save a life. Identify and manage a cardiac arrest situation. Learn how to resuscitate somebody and give them the best chance of survival. This is a basic course dealing just with CPR, but an essential skill everybody should have.
When a person collapses in Cardiac Arrest their chances of survival diminish by 10% for every minute CPR is delayed. YOU could make a difference! This course £15 per head
Places limited so booking essential
If you don't think CPR is for you watch this short video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEc0vLu2jJw&feature=related

HSE Emergency First Aid at Work Course in Ramsgate

2011-03-01T01:49:00.000-08:00

We are running the HSE approved Emergency First Aid at Work course on the 17th March in Ramsgate and still have a few places available if anybody needs certification for their staff. This is a great opportunity if you only have one member of staff needing training as we are offering the course at a discounted rate for individuals of just £60. (normal price £75) This will include registration & certification fees, training manual and tuition from our experienced staff.(Further discount available for3+)
The course is suitable for most businesses in the low- medium risk group requiring a HSE First Aider and is very popular with teaching staff, builders, warehouse staff, store staff, as it is just a one day course requiring less down time for training and resulting in a qualification enabling your staff to deal with an emergency medical situation until professional help arrives.
If you would like to book a place on this course or like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us via the website.
Don't miss this great opportunity. We are also happy to quote for coming to YOUR site and training YOUR staff , and for groups there are attractive discounts.

Parents do you worry about your children?

2011-02-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

Would you know what to do if your child stopped breathing? If your baby started to convulse would you know if it was serious? Recognising that parents do worry about such things and knowing what a terrible feeling it would be to stand by and watch helplessly whilst the life slipped away from your child, we have put together a short 3 hour course for parents dealing with life threatening issues in children.
In the past we have run this in conjunction with schools, however due to overwhelming demand we are happy to open it up to anybody concerned about their children. (Kent only, sorry)
The course is just £15, however we require a minimum of 6 people and a suitable place to run it, this could be a large living room or church hall. We are running this course on the 11th June at the Pilgrims Hospice Training Rooms in Canterbury £15 per head 0930 - 12 30 places available but booking essential
Topics include
Child/ infant CPR
Febrile convulsions
Meningitis Awareness
Croup / Epiglottitis
Choking child/infant
Minor injuries
Serious bleeding

Contact us for more information and to make a booking
tel: 08450 521398 or visit our website http://www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

Training Does Work.. and saved a life!

2011-01-31T00:56:00.000-08:00

Last week I was running a training course at a G.P. Health Centre for the staff's Basic Life Support update. The session includes Defibrillator awareness and a talk about sudden cardiac arrest. It was during this part of the course that one of the receptionists recounted an incident that had taken place immediately after their last training session, where a man had entered the surgery, was talking to the receptionist quite normally without complaining of any symptoms, then without warning collapsed on the floor and stopped breathing.
Fortunately they had completed their Basic Life Support training that morning and immediately commenced CPR whilst a member of staff fetched the AED and connected it up. Due to their prompt actions the patient survived, and I understand made a full recovery.
As we have said before on a previous post, when a person collapses from a sudden cardiac arrest, their chances of survival diminish by 10% for every minute delayed in providing resuscitation. The brain dies within 4-5 minutes, an ambulance, even travelling at speed on lights and sirens can take 8- 10 minutes to arrive, whether that person lives or dies is very much in the hands of those who witness the event. You can make a difference. We run a 3 hour Basic Life Support Course for just £15 per head, it provides you with the confidence to do something should you find yourself in this situation. Many people say I don't need to learn these skills I will never need to use them..... 100,000 people die every year in the U.K from Sudden Cardiac Arrest, around half of those could be saved if bystanders performed basic CPR as soon as the person collapsed and an AED was available. Many organisations recognise this and AEDs are becoming common place in shopping centres, sports halls, G.P. surgeries, airports, ferries and aeroplanes, but they are no use if CPR is not being performed.
If you do nothing else this year, get yourself trained, it could be you who saves the next life.
Here is a short video that highlights the importance of bystander CPR, some of the participants are the lucky ones who were successfully resuscitated.... enjoy http://tinyurl.com/626gvd6

Open First Aid Course in Canterbury

2011-01-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

We are planning to run a one day first aid course on the 19th March in Canterbury. This will be for members of the public interested in learning how to deal with an emergency situation. The intention is for it to result in an Appointed Persons certification, however we are also including training in child & infant resuscitation, meningitis awareness, febrile convulsions and other family based emergencies. Forget those preconceived ideas that you may have about first aid training, our courses are fun, easy to learn, and very informative.
The course will run from 0930 until approx 1600 and be held in the training rooms at The Pilgrim's Hospice, London Road, Canterbury. Places are limited so booking is essential. Cost is £50 per head, this will include tuition, certification and training manual. Tea & Coffee will be included in the price, however lunch is not provided.
Topics that we plan to cover are:
Scene Assessment
Use of barriers to prevent infection
Casualty Assessment
Unconscious breathing adult
Non breathing adult & child (CPR)
Choking Adult
Serious Bleeding management
Spinal injury management
First Aid Equipment
This is not a comprehensive list and if anybody wishes to cover other things we are open to suggestions.
If you are interested please contact us either via the website or telephone 08450521398.
There will be free parking on site. How much is a life worth to you???

www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

Winter Bugs are we becoming too dependant on vaccines?

2011-01-06T03:26:00.000-08:00

Winter is here once again with the usual melange of bugs and colds afflicting many and boosting the profits of the various cold "remedy" manufacturers.
G.P.Surgeries are full of patients with coughs and colds requesting prescriptions in the mistaken belief that antibiotics will cure their affliction. The media is full of scare stories reporting in dramatic fashion nationwide shortages of Flu Vaccines with the zeal of an Old Testament Prophet, and as is usually the case it is the manufacturers who get the blame, but who's fault really is it.
Lets step back for a moment and look at a few facts. Firstly colds are caused by a virus, they are unpleasant, but generally clear up within a few days, thanks to our own immune system, that for centuries has constantly adapted to the various strains of germs that invade our bodies. Antibiotics DO NOT kill viruses. Excessive use however has led to the Super Bug Explosion, as like us bacteria adapts to fight the things that can harm it and so become immune to the various drugs that have been developed, and so scientists are constantly struggling to find ever more potent drugs to fight simple infections, and by their nature have more side effects on us. Many antibiotics that are effective now are so strong that they cause very unpleasant stomach upsets, leading many to believe that they are allergic to them.
When working as a Paramedic I could not believe the number of patients that declared an allergy to Penicillin, on further questioning it often proved to be simply the common side effects of the drug that they experienced not an anaphylactic reaction.
Flu Vaccine, we see swarms of healthy adults heading to surgeries for an injection that they believe will make them totally immune to Flu/Colds for the winter and so with this they are totally protected, WRONG. In fact through this belief that they are immune they are in actual fact putting others at risk, as simple hygiene precautions are forgotten and so bugs are spread by contact through lack of hand washing and surface cleaning.
People generally have become very poor when it comes to personal hygiene and good manners. How many times have you walked around a supermarket or been in a train or bus and somebody has sneezed openly without doing so into a tissue, or sat coughing without putting a tissue to their mouth to catch the germs?
Another perennial illness caused by poor hygiene is the Winter vomiting bug, this kills many old and vulnerable people each year, an elderly patient is admitted to hospital with this and it spreads around the ward within days despite the many hand pumps of Alcohol gel for visitors to use to clean their hands.
In fact Alcohol Gel is not really very effective at killing germs and the only sure way is to use simple soap and water, washing hands regularly.
Instead of rushing to the G.P. for preventative medications every winter in an attempt to fend off the seasonal bugs, we should be paying more attention to taking simple personal precautions that prevent the germs entering or body in the first place.
An example. how many people have you seen indulging in picking their nose? Children do it all the time, children get loads of colds, why? they touch surfaces that have been infected then by placing their finger in their nose for the habitual nasal excavations transfer the germs exactly where they thrive.
How many people have you seen exit a lavatory without washing their hands? How many then handle food? Is there any wonder the vomiting bug spreads so readily?
Healthy fit adults should leave the vaccines for those who REALLY need it, the old and sick or those with reduced immunity with chronic illness, if instead of rushing to the surgery for medication that we don't actually need and used simple common sense and good hand cleaning techniques there would be enough medication for those who need it.
For those who would like to know more about prevention of infection we offer a low cost E learning course that you can complete on line click the link and then go to Blood Borne Pathogens Course.
Life Force Training On line Courses

A New Year starts and what are your resolutions?

2010-12-29T01:57:00.000-08:00

Well here we are at the twilight of the year, getting ready to make those New Years Resolutions that we have every intention of keeping, but somehow, things just get in the way, and we very quickly start finding excuses for not keeping those rash promises that we made ourselves at the stroke of midnight on the 31st December.
Gym membership rockets in January with people determined to loose the pounds put on over Christmas, they sign up for a year, part with the membership fee and usually stop going by February.
Why not do something a lot more fun, is a lot cheaper, provides you with a valuable skill, can help to keep you fit and could save a life..
We have a number of courses that could suit everybody's needs from a simple 3 hour Basic Life Support course, which teaches valuable life saving skills, to a full 3 day HSE approved First Aid at work Course, and prices are from as little as £15.
Why not book a course for your club or group and all learn something new together.
It is only after working within the Ambulance Service for a number of years that I came to realise what a significant role the Responder plays in patient outcome, often it quite literally could mean the difference between life and death.
Whilst you ponder those resolutions, think also the effect all those bad habits are having on YOUR body, one day it could be YOU who is relying on a stranger to do the right thing to save YOUR life. Why not get some friends together and sign up for a course now, YOU could be the one who makes a difference!
www.lifeforce-training-services for full course details failing that try this guide

Want some help coping with depression, kicking bad habits, eating healthier?

2010-12-15T04:01:00.000-08:00

In this stressful world that we live in coping with everyday events is getting harder as more pressure seems to be piling upon us. Job insecurity,money issues, relationship problems, health worries. All of these things conspire to put us in the DANGER AREA . Many illnesses have been linked to our high stress lives like Cancers, Strokes, Heart Disease etc. We need to recognise these symptoms and do something about it before it is too late. Depression is one of the highest causes of mental health problems and is responsible for an increase in suicides, and often creeps up on us without realising it.
We have found a source of very good low cost e books that you can download to your computer that deal with many of these issues and help you achieve a healthy lifestyle, that can make you happier and in turn put you firmly back on the road to success. Unfortunately being an American site the books are all priced in $ however as a rough guide the Sterling rate is about 2/3rds of the dollar price. Pay securely by Paypal and the book can be downloaded to your computer within minutes. The book Beat Depression is on sale for just $7.99 (approx £5.50)
Click here to be directed to their site

Life Saving Products From Life Force

2010-12-06T04:59:00.000-08:00

Not only do we offer high quality first aid training based on years of dealing with real life emergency situations, we can also supply a range of equipment to ensure that you and your staff are fully supported with the right tools for the job.
Based on years of first hand experience we have selected items that will be of REAL use to the First Responder, and not items that will look good but will never be used. We can supply everything from the first class ZOLL AED Plus, that would allow you to provide defibrillation to a casualty in cardiac arrest to a simple pack of adhesive plasters.
Visit our products website to view some of our main items, however if you do not see something that you need feel free to contact us and we will be happy to source it for you.
http://www.lifeforce-firstresponder-products.co.uk/
We accept payment via Paypal or cheque

Prioritising Staff Welfare and keeping the HSE Off Your Back

2010-11-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

Whilst waiting in the reception area of a well known chain of vehicle servicing centres today, I found myself looking at the wall above the counter at the row of corporate certificates proudly showing customers what the centre were able to do to their cars, these had clearly been there for a while as they were smudged with oil laden dust, and some even bore the logo of the company's previous incarnation. However what caught my eye was the notice that informed staff of who they should report to in the case of an accident. The Appointed First Aider box was empty, and some wit had written beneath call an ambulance, Doctor or Paramedic.
Clearly the manager of the centre felt that he had fulfilled his obligation to his staff by imparting this advice.
Now taking into consideration that this was a centre that specialised in car servicing and required staff to work on and under jacked up vehicles with tools, working with fluids and the dangers this involved, could he in all honesty state that "Adequate & Appropriate" first aid was available should an incident occur? OK the notice said that a first aid kit was available in the "Tea Room", but when was it last checked and who on the site was qualified to give help should it be needed, if anybody? Where were the certificates showing that members of staff were qualified.
In this day and age we all are tempted to take short cuts with training and First Aid often seems a low priority in many people's eyes, however we all have a responsibility to look after our staff and colleagues. There is legislation in place for their protection.
OK training is not cheap, but should be regarded as an investment in your business, as in the long run it can save you a lot more money to have properly trained staff.
Consider the manager of the servicing centre again. One of his staff working on a car slips with a spanner, catches their arm on a sharp edge and severely lacerates their wrist, he collapses, bleeding profusely from a severed artery. The office staff call an ambulance (as the notice suggests), what now? open the first aid kit? it is empty, it hasn't been checked for years and over time dressings had gone missing without being replaced, the job of the Appointed Person, but nobody knew who it was. The ambulance has been delayed due to city traffic, the staff member has gone into shock there is panic as the manager now realises there are likely to be questions asked. If as a result of this the casualty dies, the HSE have to be informed immediately and an investigation will be undertaken, if it is found that there was not adequate first aid provision then there will be very serious consequences, and if he is lucky the manager will only be facing a career change. It could be that the company insurance refuse to pay out as there was clear negligence, faced with a possible fine, possible legal action by the family of the mechanic that died, no insurance pay out , the future of the company could look pretty grim, and for what? the cost of sending a couple of members of staff on a one day First Aid Course? and £15 - £20 on a First aid Kit, is it worth the risk? remember it could be you requiring help from a colleague one day. The HSE Regulations are there for a reason, to protect you and your staff. Invest in their safety now.

Call us on 08450521398 or visit the website at www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

What is the best gift you could give somebody?

2010-11-07T03:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas will soon be upon us and thoughts will be turning to shopping and appropriate gifts for people we know. The standard requests go out "What do you think Auntie so & so would like for Christmas?" . But it doesn't stop there it is a constant problem throughout the year, trying to think of the best gift you could give to somebody.
Now I am sure that if like me you were asked the same question you would come up with a long list of "essentials" that you just can't justify the luxury of spending money on yourself, but ask a mother who is holding the lifeless body of her drowned child, or a person staring helplessly at the collapsed body of a loved one, and I am sure their answer would be completely different!
Learning basic CPR skills is not difficult, does not require a major investment of time or money, and can be taught to most people. Yet this simple skill COULD contribute significantly to providing somebody with the greatest gift that can be bestowed on a human being. The Gift of Life!
In the years that I served as a Paramedic with the ambulance service I have been fortunate to witness the successful resuscitation of several casualties, the most memorable was that of a toddler, left in the care of it's older siblings and who had fallen into the garden pond and drowned. As you would imagine the family were devastated, not knowing what to do they could only stand and watch the lifeless body of the baby that they were supposed to be caring for. 30 minutes of CPR as we travelled to hospital resulted in the baby becoming responsive and was crying loudly as we disembarked from the ambulance. The feelings that you experience even as a Paramedic of many years are unbelievable as you see the relief in the parents face as they realise their child is breathing.
I am nobody special and what I did was only what I had been trained to do, experienced as I was I still had the same feelings of anxiety as I worked on that limp lifeless baby as anybody else would have, I only used basic CPR skills that can be taught to anybody, and it could just as easily not have been so successful, but I at least was able to do something, and my reward was to give back that mother and father their son, I gave back the gift of life!

We at Life Force Training Services offer a Basic Life Support Course for just £15, and takes just 3 hours of your time, how much is the gift of life worth to you? Not all resuscitation attempts are successful and many fail, but you can at least know that you gave that person the best chance of survival.
Sign up today.
You could make a difference!
www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

NEW Resuscitation Guidelines 2010

2010-10-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend saw the introduction of the new Resuscitation Council Guidelines for delivering CPR to a casualty. There are only a few changes that may effect the lay responder these include the depth of chest compressions increasing to 5 - 6 cm, and ventilations being given at a rate of 1 per second. Continuous chest compressions can still be given if you are not trained to provide CPR or are unable or unwilling to give mouth to mouth ventilations.
Full details of the Resuscitation Council guidelines can be found at the link below:
http://www.resus.org.uk/pages/guide.htm

Patient / Casualty Assessment Sheet

2010-09-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

At Life Force we like to utilise the skills learnt through many years on the road working in emergency situations, and find this can help to equip our students to provide a high standard of care until professional help arrives. Something that our students have found really useful is a form that we give them during their first aid courses that guides them through the process of patient assessment and steps to take. It follows the same format that professionals use, and so is great for giving to the ambulance crew when they arrive, as from this they can determine a course of action, and provides a great patient history for the hospital to work from. It details a complete S.A.M.P.L.E. history (see earlier Blog Post) and guides you through taking observations. No matter what your level of training this guide is invaluable and we are happy to send it to you FREE. Just contact us through the Website www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk and ask for the Assessment Form we shall send it via a PDF file for you to print off and copy as you need.

A detailed history of what happened
helps establish the appropriate course of action

Online First Aid Training for YOU

2010-08-25T02:24:00.000-07:00

Hi, realising the difficulties that some people have finding the time to attend a course, we are introducing online first aid training in conjunction with "Protrainings".
Courses can be either 100% online or blended, whereby the student will complete the theory elements of the course on line, pass an exam, then on successful completion book an assessment with us for the practical elements of their training.
At present we have live the "First Aid Refresher" course, this is the recommended annual refresher training recommended by the HSE for certified First Aiders to complete., and on completion you are issued with certification for your CPD file to demonstrate that this has been successfully undertaken.
Also now live is the "Blood Borne Pathogens" training course, a must for all those who are likely to come into contact with bodily fluids in connection with their work, Health Care Professionals, Tattoo Artists, Plumbers, Refuse Operatives, to name but a few. This course is 100% online and can be completed at YOUR leisure.
Other courses will be "live" soon. Visit our website for details on how to book and a discount code for the courses. http://www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

"I Don't Need To Do A First Aid Course.. Do I?"

2010-08-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

It still surprises me that when I am asked by somebody "What do you do?" and I reply "Run first aid training courses for businesses and the general public", their reply is often "Oh I don't need one of those, I work for myself".
This is a frequent response, often from people who are self employed tradesmen, out in a van all day, working at different locations often in isolation, and they have not considered the "what if?" scenario.
Look at it this way if you drive a van all day the chances of you coming across an incident are far greater than somebody sitting behind a desk in an office. As a tradesman you are at risk of injury from the work you do, climbing ladders, using tools, exposure to hazards like electricity, chemical agents etc. and what if your customer collapses when you are working in their house? Even if you call for an ambulance precious minutes can be lost awaiting it's arrival if you are unable to do anything. I am amazed how many vans are running around without a simple first aid kit! Under the Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 it states "If you are self employed you are required to ensure that you have such equipment , as may be adequate and appropriate in the circumstances, to provide first aid to yourself while at work." This means at the very least a simple first aid kit should be carried.

Remember this also, if something should happen to you whilst working, and you have not been able to provide adequate attention to the injury, through lack of training and / or failure to have available suitable dressings, you could develop complications which would require longer time off work, and for the self employed that means loss of earnings! Also insurance companies COULD use this to avoid paying out if the HSE recommendations have not been followed.... ADEQUATE & APPROPRIATE... First Aid Provision.
So when next you are driving to a job ask yourself this "What if?"... What if I am involved in a road accident, what if I come across a road accident miles from anywhere?.. What if old Mrs Jones should fall down the stairs whilst I am doing her rewiring?... What If?.......
A basic first aid course is not expensive, need not take much of your time to complete, and could make a BIG difference to somebody's life... yours. your family's, your customer's, a stranger.
We can help with friendly advice on courses and first aid kit provision at a realistic price. Call or email us
www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

New Courses on offer from Life Force

2010-08-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

We have been looking at our course provision, and have put together some more general courses to cater for the needs of the general public and families. As well as the 3 hour Basic Life Support Training that we have been offering at the outstanding price of just £15, we now are offering "Sports Injury First Aid Course" for those involved with clubs or outdoor activities, "Serious Trauma" training course, this deals with, as the name suggests, serious trauma that the First Responder may encounter, for example road traffic accidents, falls from height. stabbings, assaults etc., and looks at the appropriate management of these incidents. For the family we are offering a one day first aid course that will deal with domestic first aid and child resuscitation, a must for every parent. We run these courses FOR YOU, and will come to your premises or venue at no extra cost, the only stipulation is that you are a group of at least 6 and maximum of 12. The family course can be run at weekends to fit in with your busy schedule. See our website for details under the "speciality course" heading.
http://www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

The Emotional Cost of Helping Somebody

2010-07-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

At the courses that we run, we often like to pose the question to our students what do they think holds people back from going to the assistance of somebody in need, and the usual responses are discussed in an earlier post. Today however I would like to look a little more deeply at one aspect that can have a long term effect on anybody who is involved in an emergency situation, the emotional aspects of the situation and the feelings of guilt and self doubt that you may experience.
Anybody who has been involved in an emergency incident will, if they are honest, tell you that it can be an upsetting experience, even for professionals like myself. I remember the first time that I encountered somebody who had experienced a cardiac arrest, it was on the 14th floor of a tower block. We worked hard to resuscitate this person, and as we left the flat with the casualty to go to hospital, resuscitation still on going, his wife thanked us through tears of grief. It was at that point that I was overwhelmed by feelings of guilt. This poor woman had called us to help her husband, she had put every last ounce of hope into us, the professionals, we would bring her loved one back to her, and we had, I felt, let her down, here she was thanking us for what? We had failed, her husband would no longer kiss her goodnight, they would no longer share their lives together, because I had failed to bring him back to her.
These thoughts haunted me for two weeks after the event, I would find myself going over the paper work trying to reassure myself that I had done everything possible, that nothing I could have done differently would have changed the outcome. I felt terrible.
Of course these are irrational feelings, nothing that we did was going to change the situation, he had been in cardiac arrest for too long, we did our best, and that was all we could do. Experience soon taught me to cope with these situations, but I still would get those niggling feelings for the next 14 years, even more so when children were involved.
Now let us put this into context, I was a trained professional dealing with these situations day in and day out, what then do you think it is like for somebody stepping in with a basic knowledge of first aid and having never done anything like it before. At the time the adrenaline is pumping and you don't really give it a thought, but afterwards, when the ambulance crew have taken over, and invariably you are left there on your own at the scene, perhaps not even a thank you from the busy crew, that is when the doubts creep in.
It is important that you are able to talk to somebody openly, we provide support for all of our students and if any of them experience an incident and need to talk it through we are always available for them, no matter how long ago they trained with us.
During our courses we take time to discuss the emotional aspects and feelings that may be experienced after an incident and explain that it is normal to feel like this.
You are a first responder, without your help that person stood no chance, because you had the courage to step up and try to help them you gave them the best chance they were going to get.
CPR is not likely to restore life to somebody except in very exceptional circumstances, too often people see miraculous rescues on TV where after a few half hearted chest compressions from the hero, the casualty coughs back into life and makes a full recovery. This does not happen! for the most part CPR is providing very basic life support, so that when professional help arrives this person stands the best chance of resuscitation. When our students understand this it goes a long way to reassuring them that the little they do can make a BIG difference to the outcome. Providing that you did the best that you could nobody can ask for more. To us anybody who steps in and does something is a hero, no matter what the outcome. We are not saying you won't feel upset after the event, but feel good that without you there was only going to be one outcome.
Sign up for a BLS course today you never know when you might need it, and imagine how bad you would feel if you couldn't help somebody, particularly a loved one, I know that I used to see it in the faces of relatives all of the time.
http://www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

What do you look for when choosing a training provider?

2010-06-30T04:35:00.000-07:00

So, what DO you as an employer look for when choosing a training provider for your staff. In this hard economic climate the temptation is often to say cost is the main criteria.
Training is regarded by a lot of employers as a low priority in their expenditure and often a necessary evil, when it comes to mandatory issues like Health & Safety. With the pressure to cut budgets across the board many will fail to understand the investment potential having well trained and motivated staff can be.
Under the Health & Safety Regulations 1981 (first aid), all employers have a responsibility to ensure adequate first aid provision for their staff. Not only does this mean first aid kits, but enough trained staff to deal with any possible incident that they have identified in their "risk assessment", and whereas the HSE guidelines suggest a given minimum number of trained staff for companies of a given size and risk, what is often overlooked is the need to have additional cover during periods of annual leave or sickness.
So let us return to the original question of our priorities when choosing a training company. We suggested that cost may be a deciding factor, and indeed this can often play a large role in the decision, but, before we run off to book the company with the super low quote, let us just stop and ask a few questions first.
Why are you paying for your staff to be trained? Is it to satisfy a mandatory requirement so that you can tick a box, or is it because you value your most valuable asset in your business and wish them to be trained to a high standard?
If you are going to select the cheapest training provider, will your staff engage with the instructor and enjoy their experience?
If they enjoy the learning experience that you have provided, will this effect their work and output. Will it make training courses less of a chore for them? Staff willing to learn are far more productive and represent a sound investment.
We are a company who provide first aid training to a standard laid down by the Health & Safety Executive, and so too are many others. In maintaining that standard there are many hidden costs which are unavoidable, Centre registration fees, student certification fees, training manuals, instructor wages, venue costs, insurance etc. etc.
During the recession there has been a trend within the training sector as with other businesses to slash prices in an effort to attract more customers, offering one day training sessions at unbelievably low rates, seducing us with BOGOFF deals that have taken the country by storm, giving the impression that for years we have all been "ripping off" our customers by over pricing the products that we sell.
Before signing up with that company who have offered you the training deal of the century, ask yourself this "Where have they made the savings to be able to afford to offer me this price?"
Invariably it will be in quality of content. Good instructors are not cheap, and rightly so, they are few and far between. We often hear tales of poor tuition, courses where the students left none the wiser for the experience, poor quality equipment, manikins which were merely wiped with a cloth before the next student practised CPR, Instructors who showed no in depth knowledge of the subject, just reciting from a power point presentation, certifications that get lost, incorrect or out of date information given, manuals not issued, the list goes on. As with everything in this life you get what you pay for.

If your objective is to just tick the box that you have provided a training course for your staff, then the quality may not be an issue. Just think though, it could be you who is depending on the poorly trained First Aider to save your life, and because of their inadequate training they lack the confidence to do anything.

Let me use the car analogy, if you take your car to the main dealer they will charge you a premium, but on the whole you will know that the mechanic to whom you have entrusted you car is skilled at his job, and will still be there if something goes wrong. Take your car to a backstreet garage who will do the job at a fraction of the cost, for cash, and you could end up with a botched job with no come back.

We at Life Force only employ professional instructors, every one of them has performed CPR in a real life situation, and so can relate to this experience whilst teaching students in the classroom. We will not compromise on the standard of our tuition and this is confirmed by the comments that we receive from our students after their course. We provide free ongoing support to all of our clients, so that should you have any questions after your session you can contact us at any time and we will be willing to help. We recommend regular update training and provide informal sessions where students can discuss any issues that they may have and can practise their skills. Unlike many other providers we are happy to COME TO YOU AT NO EXTRA COST to provide your course for your staff. When you engage a low cost trainer will they provide the same quality of service? Do not cut corners with your staff training, invest in them and they will pay dividends by improved performance.
Visit our website for further information http://lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

Low Cost update training

2010-06-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

Hi just a quick reminder that we offer low cost update training for people who would like to practice or refresh their CPR skills, and are happy to visit your work place or club to run a course. The HSE recommend that though your certification lasts for three years, first aiders should undergo annual refresher training to maintain their skills. These are informal 2-3 hour sessions where you can feel free to ask questions, practice skills from AED familiarisation, CPR,& applying dressings to getting up to date information on latest developments and guidelines. We can issue attendance certificates for those who require them to prove their "Continued Professional Development" and all of this for just £15 per head. Contact us for details. (Unfortunately this offer is only available in Kent or E Sussex). www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

First Aid Not for Geeks!

2010-06-22T03:14:00.000-07:00

Many years ago before I joined the ambulance service I used to think, as it seems many do, that first aid was the domain for boy scouts and organisations like The Red Cross or St John's Ambulance. It had for me and I am sure others too, the image of evenings spent in drafty church halls practising the precise application of bandages, and attendances at the village fete, and to be fair a lot of it is, we should n't knock the first rate job these volunteers do. Mention a first aid course to many of your employees however and you will hear the collective groan across the other side of the building!
During my time working in Emergency Care as a Paramedic, I have grown to realise just what an important skill being able to administer first aid is and what a key role the first responder plays.
First Aid training these days focus's on providing life saving skills and dealing effectively with an emergency situation, you can even learn how to use a defibrillator! We teach our students a concept called "The Chain of Survival" which details the important links in giving the casualty the best possible chance of survival. The First Responder plays a valuable role, forming two and sometime three of the four links in helping to ensure a positive outcome.
A casualty who suffers a cardiac arrest needs immediate help if they are to stand any chance of survival, that chance diminishes by 10% for every minute that resuscitation is delayed, over 100,000 people die from this a year in the U.K. When you consider that it can take an ambulance 8- 10 minutes to arrive in a populated area, and longer in isolated regions, it demonstrates what a key responsibility the person on scene can have.
Imagine if your nearest and dearest were to collapse, would you know what to do? Yes calling an ambulance is the first thing, but what then? How helpless you would feel standing there waiting, the remotest chance of survival slipping away with every agonising minute, the feelings of "if only I had done something maybe they would have survived".
The ambulance crews are highly trained professionals with state of the art equipment, but all of this is useless if nothing has been done to help support the vital organs of the casualty by manually pumping oxygen to them in the form of CPR.
Take it from me it is a wonderful feeling when you do restore life to somebody who's heart has stopped beating, and I remember one incident where the casualty actually woke up and asked what had happened to him. Believe me it only takes it to happen once and you feel that your own life on this planet has been worthwhile.
Now do not run away with the idea that pushing up and down on somebody's chest will guarantee that you will save them, the chances of successful resuscitation are very slim,& except in a few special circumstances to give the casualty the best chance requires the use of good quality CPR and a Defibrillator, but stepping in and providing early Basic Life Support extends the very small window of opportunity, and you will know that YOU did your best to help another human being.
It is our belief at Life Force that all children in secondary school should be taught Basic Life Support as part of the curriculum, and one day, hopefully this will be the case, but until then it is up to us as individuals to learn the fundamental skills to enable us to save a life if ever we are required to "step up to the plate".
We offer a 3 hour Basic Life Support course for just £15, not much to pay for a skill that could help to save a life I am sure that you would agree. So why not get yourself and your friends trained now YOU could make a difference.
See our website for details of this and other courses that we offer click www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

Croup & Epiglottitis

2010-06-09T01:42:00.000-07:00

These are both infections that mainly affect young children and Epiglottitis especially can be life threatening.
Croup is a viral infection of the wind pipe and Larynx, it's onset is slow and usually follows another illness like a cold.
This is usually a mild illness, often worse at night, the child having a distinctive "barking" cough similar to that of a seal.
Other symptoms:
Raised Temperature
Breathing difficulty
Symptoms associated with a cold
rasping breath sounds

Treatment:
Consider Calpol if child is able to take it (check with GP)
frequent drinks
Croup can become serious so do not hesitate to seek medical advice
DO NOT EXAMINE THE THROAT
DO NOT USE STEAM, this was often used in the past, however there is no evidence that it helps, and there is a risk of scolds from the hot water or steam.

Epiglottitis:

MAKE NO MISTAKE THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION!

This is caused by the epiglottis becoming inflamed from a bacterial infection, the epiglottis is a small flap that closes over the airway that leads into the lungs, preventing food from entering.
If it becomes infected the swelling can block off the airway preventing the child from breathing.
The most common age group is between 2 - 7 years of age.
Do not waste any time this is a medical emergency with rapid onset!
Symptoms:
Flushed skin, high temperature
Drooling
The child is quiet and appears anxious
Breathing is noisy, often with a cat like purr
May become Cyanosed (Blue in colour)
The child's breastbone is drawn in when taking a breath, a sign of respiratory distress.

Treatment:
Reassure Child
Keep Calm
Dial 999 explain that you have a child with extreme breathing difficulty (This will prioritise the ambulance)
DO NOT EXAMINE THE CHILD'S THROAT this can cause a muscle spasm that can shut off the airway
Child should be placed in a sitting position leaning forwards, this will aid breathing
Antibiotics are needed to treat the infection

This is just guidance and if you are concerned at all seek medical advice.
To learn what to do in an emergency, why not sign up for a formal course in First Aid Training. See our website for the courses that we offer Life Force Training Services

Heat Stroke a potential life threatening emergency

2010-06-07T04:56:00.000-07:00

Hi, With all of the sunshine and hot weather that we have had recently, it is perhaps a prudent time to remind you of the dangers of heat stroke. Not only the sun causes this, drugs like Ecstasy have been linked to deaths from heat exhaustion in nightclubs.
This is a potential life threatening condition, when your body temperature is too high for the natural mechanisms to cool it down. Typically your body temperature is in excess of 40 degrees:
Symptoms may include
Headache
Nausea
Hot flushed dry skin
Restlessness, confusion
Lethargy
Full bounding pulse

To treat this we need to immediately remove the casualty from the heat,remove as much outer clothing as possible, if available wrap casualty in a wet sheet, and continually pour cold water over it to bring the temperature down.
Call the emergency services, make no mistake this condition, if left untreated can kill.
We have found a very good YouTube presentation that may help you understand this condition. CLICK HERE to view, enjoy.

Why not sign up for a course they are fun and you learn valuable skills see our website for details and contact us for a great quote Lifeforce Training

Why do people hesitate to help others?

2010-06-01T05:04:00.000-07:00

It is a sad fact that many people will hesitate to render assistance to a person who becomes ill or collapses in the street. How many times do we see crowds standing around watching, or just passing by?
There are several reasons for this, but there are five that are regularly identified, and which have helped bring about a radical change in First Aid training.
1) Anxiety
People presented with a dramatic event can be nervous about stepping forward to help
believing that they lack the knowledge or skills to help a stranger
2) Guilt
They fear that if they offer assistance and the person does not recover or indeed
dies they may feel responsible in some way
3) Fear of not doing something correctly
For many years, first aid training focused on delivering perfect care, the emphasis was on doing specific tasks in a set order, and it was often taught that the smallest error could harm somebody, even those who have been trained hesitate due to rusty skills and the belief that they will not do things right.
4) Responsibility
In this increasing "blame culture" people are becoming more conscious of the possibility of being sued, and so would rather do nothing than run the perceived risk of being sued if something goes wrong.
5) Fear of Infection
People are more aware of the risk of possible infection from bodily fluids, and so will avoid contact with a person who is bleeding, vomiting, or even of an unkept appearance.

A lot of research has been done into how these barriers to helping somebody can be overcome. Training courses have been simplified, teaching what is critical and what is not, they are now relaxed learning environments which are designed to promote confidence and make the learning experience fun, which in turn has proven to assist in remembering what to do when it counts. Students are encouraged to attend regular update training where they may practice their skills and obtain updated information keeping their knowledge levels fresh.
During training sessions you are taught about the various barrier methods that can be employed to protect you from the very slim risk of infection, and so give the confidence to step forward and assist somebody in need.
You are also taught that here in the UK, although there are no "Good Samaritan Laws", providing you stick to your level of training, and do your best without behaving recklessly, no matter what the outcome it will be very unlikely that anybody will succeed in bringing a case against you. Nobody has ever been sued in the UK for providing assistance to a person in need.
You must remember though that you must follow these guidelines
1) Ask permission to help if the person is conscious, (with unconscious casualties it is "presumed consent)
2) Only provide care in the scope of your training
3) Act in good faith
4) Do not be reckless
5) Act as a prudent person would
6) Do not abandon a casualty once you have started to deliver care, unless to protect yourself from danger

Ask yourself, "How would I feel if I saw somebody collapse in the street, and I later learned that they had died, and I had done nothing?"
Remember as a layperson administering first aid, you are not a doctor, you can only do your best, and that little bit may just save a life. Somebody's son, daughter, loved one, mother or father, grandparent.

It doesn't take much, we at Life Force are offering a Basic Life Support Course for just £15 per head and three hours of your time. We can offer a full range of training courses that will teach you valuable skills that could make a difference. Visit our website now www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk we look forward to hearing from you.

Anaphylactic Shock

2010-05-20T23:35:00.000-07:00

we have managed to find this video clip on You Tube from the MAYO Clinic that explains Anaphylactic Shock very well.
Briefly, it is a severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body, developing within minutes, it can prove fatal in extreme cases, as the airway can swell to such an extent breathing becomes impossible.
Common triggers are nuts, wasp & bee stings,& medications. Make no mistake, a casualty with anaphylactic shock needs IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Known sufferers will often carry an "Epi Pen" auto injector which you can administer easily and safely, details of this are on the video clip.
CLICK HERE for some great info on this life threatening condition, enjoy

Probably the best AED on the market

2010-05-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

We at Life Force are authorized distributors for the ZOLL AED+ the ONLY AED that can guide you through the WHOLE resuscitation process.
When a cardiac arrest happens only about half of the victims require a defibrillator, the other half require good quality CPR.
Only the ZOLL AED+ features a function that is able to see what you are doing and provide feedback to help you do it well. Audio and Visual prompts provide you with a confidence unmatched by any other AED.
If your chest compressions are inadequate the ZOLL AED+ will tell you where you are going wrong and help guide you to the correct depth of compression and ideal rate.
The AED+ is powered by commercially available batteries that have a shelf life of 5 years, and therefore are cheap and easy to replace. The electrode pads also have a 5 year shelf life, which is longer than most other AEDs on the market, so in terms of running cost, if not used, the Zoll will cost you nothing further for 5 years and only about £150 in the next, with replacement of battery and pads.It also comes with a 5 year guarantee!
We are so impressed with this product that we are offering to purchasers in the Kent and East Sussex area free training for up to 6 of their staff (worth £300) when they purchase a Zoll AED+ from us. CLICK HERE for Zoll's video showing the AED+ in action visit our website for details of this offer http://www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

Ever wondered what causes a heart attack?

2010-05-14T00:20:00.000-07:00

So what causes a heart attack? OK you will probably answer, eating fatty foods, lack of exercise, old age. Well for the most part you are right, but these are only contributing factors, have you ever thought, "what is actually happening to the heart?"
Well, as they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and we have found this animation on YouTube that explains it very well, enjoy. Click Here for the link.

Want to learn more? contact us for details of courses that we run Lifeforce Training Services

Are You at Risk From Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

2010-05-10T23:32:00.000-07:00

Read an interesting information sheet from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association outlining the ADDITIONAL risk factors that could increase your chances of a sudden cardiac arrest. Unlike a heart attack a sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anybody, and is caused by a problem with the nerve impulses that cause the heart to beat. If this should happen the best chance of survival is EARLY USE OF A DEFIBRILLATOR, which effectively "kick starts " the heart by passing an electric current through the muscle, however this will only work if accompanied by good quality CPR.
It is for this reason that AEDs have become more available in public places like sports centres and shopping malls, consider, would you know where the nearest AED is? what if you live in an isolated community? it could take many precious minutes for an ambulance to get to you. Plan for the future, AEDs have become more affordable now and can be purchased for just over £1000. It could be a life saver if more community groups invested in one of these machines and had trained people to use it.
We at Life Force strongly believe in AEDs being more available, and with every AED purchased from us provide free training for up to 6 people. What is a life worth to you? contact us for more information on the ZOLL AED+ and our free training package.
In the meantime CLICK HERE for the article on risk factors by the SCAA.

Basic Life Support Course Special

2010-05-06T01:18:00.000-07:00

Want to learn how to save a life? Member of a group or club? We are offering a 3 hour Basic Life Support course, teaching CPR skills for just £15 each (minimum of 6 candidates) Contact us for details on 08450521398 or e mail lifeforce.training@yahoo.com YOU can make a difference!

Febrile Convulsions

2010-05-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

When a child has a febrile convulsion it can be very distressing for the parent, especially if they have not seen one before. They occur when a child has a high temperature, and are very common. Developing brains are very sensitive to temperature changes caused by fever, and are not able to cope in the same manner as a mature brain, therefore normal activity is disturbed and results in a convulsion. Usually a child will grow out of these by the age of 6.
Signs & Symptoms
History of infection (heavy cold etc)
Flushed hot skin
Eyes roll back
Difficulty breathing
Display of twitching, jerking movements
Begins convulsing
Drooling
May last for around 3 minutes then will begin to recover
Starts crying
Often very sleepy

Treatment

Try and stay calm
Attempt to cool child by removing clothing
Do not wrap them up in blanket
Protect them from injury by surrounding them with cushions, placing something soft under the head
Be aware that they may vomit, be prepared to role them on their side into recovery position to drain vomit
Note time and duration of seizure
DO NOT put anything into the child's mouth
DO NOT restrain the child
Once recovered speak with your GP about the seizure

CALL AN AMBULANCE IF:
This is the child's first seizure
The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
Another seizure follows the first
The child has sustained an injury
There is continued difficulty breathing
The child is particularly unwell with no explainable cause ( do you know why the child is running a temperature? does this need investigation?)
For a video presentation explaining Febrile Convulsions CLICK HERE

As usual this information is for guidance only and in no way is a substitute for a formal course in first aid, for information on Paediatric First Aid Training visit our website www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

Asthma a potentially life threatening condition

2010-05-04T02:24:00.000-07:00

FACT over 1400 people die from Asthma in the UK each year.
Many of these deaths are preventable.
Recognising the symptoms and being able to help a sufferer may save their life.
Imagine the anguish these people suffer as they struggle for breath, their airways inflamed and constricted, unable to get enough air into their lungs, the fear that they know they could die.
You could help
Recognise the symptoms:
Shortness of breath
"Sucking in" of the throat and rib muscles
Severe chest tightness
Respiratory wheeze, becoming quieter as the attack progresses
Cyanosis around the lips (grey / blue colour)
In a severe Asthma attack, collapse and respiratory arrest
Panic
Exhaustion as the attack progresses
Difficulty speaking, in a severe attack only managing to say sporadic words.
Treatment:
Dial 999/112 For an ambulance
Help casualty to a comfortable sitting position,
Try to reassure, remaining calm yourself (the object is to reduce their panic)
Encourage them to take their prescribed inhaler
If they have a "spacer" appliance (a large clear plastic oval shaped device) insert the mouthpiece of the inhaler in one end, place the other between the casualty's lips.
Encourage the casualty to breathe slowly and deeply as you activate the inhaler.
Repeat every three minutes until improvement or help arrives.
If the casualty stops breathing, lay them down on the floor and commence Basic Life Support

For more advise contact The National Asthma Campaign 01312262544
Click Here to visit their website

History Taking

2010-05-03T05:58:00.000-07:00

No matter who you are and what training you may or may not have, there is a simple method that you can use to get all of the essential information that will help the ambulance crew when they arrive.
Think S.A.M.P.L.E.

S= Signs & Symptoms, what is the casualty complaining of, where is any pain, what have you observed, where are any injuries?
A= Allergies, does the casualty suffer from any allergies?
M= Medication, does the casualty take prescribed medication and why?
P= Previous medical conditions, what medical problems do they suffer from, or have suffered from?
L= Last oral intake, when did they last have something to eat or drink?
E= Events, get a brief description of what happened.

This forms the key information required by the ambulance staff to help establish what has happened and the appropriate course of treatment.

Dealing with Soft Tissue Injuries

2010-04-28T00:53:00.000-07:00

Hi, well to give you a bit of a rest from the heavy life threatening topics, I thought that today we shall look at dealing with those everyday injuries, that affect us all at some stage.
Soft tissue injuries are those strains and sprains experienced from twisting a joint, often from sports injuries, or simply stepping off the kerb.
The key word to remember here is RICE.
R = Rest, the joint needs to be rested immediately to reduce internal bleeding and reduce swelling.
I = Ice, This actually means cool the injured area with an ice pack (DO NOT APPLY ICE DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN), a pack of frozen peas in a thin towel is great as it will mould around the joint. application should only be for 10 minute intervals.
C= Compression. Wrap the injured part with an elastic bandage, not too tightly, there should be no sensation of pins and needles. This will reduce swelling and provide support for the joint
E= Elevate the injured part, if practical, above the level of the heart, this reduces the blood flow to the injury, and thus swelling.

If pain persists you should visit your A+E department for assessment and medication.

Remember this information is for guidance only and does not take the place of formal first aid training. See our website for courses, click www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk for information and more video clips

Atherosclerosis a Common Cause of Heart Attacks

2010-04-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Are you doing enough to prevent this condition CLICK HERE for a virtual tour of your arteries to better understand what is happening to them and how this can cause a heart attack. Enjoy, and think about this next time you get a Pizza or fancy a biscuit or two.

Man Saved by an AED in a School

2010-04-19T23:57:00.001-07:00

This interesting story reinforces the need for more AEDs to be in public places. Zoll posted this story, it makes interesting reading, and you can very easily say "yes well that's America it won't happen here" well think again it does! Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen to anybody at any time regardless of lifestyle. An AED can save that person.
See our website for courses in the use of AED's . For businesses we have a special offer, purchase a Zoll AED + from us and we will provide FREE on site training for up to 6 of your staff, all for just £1295. What is a life worth to you?
CLICK HERE for the news story

Drowning

2010-04-19T01:23:00.000-07:00

Hi, This post is going to give you a little insight into dealing with a drowning incident. First CLICK HERE for a video of a real life rescue in Australia where lifeguards bring a casualty back to life after drowning.

A person who has suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of drowning is one of the few people that it is possible to save using good quality CPR. Why? Well the reason for the heart stopping in this situation is due to the lack of oxygen caused by the lungs filling with water, usually there is nothing else wrong with the heart and so if you can get oxygen to it quickly there is a good chance that it will start again. It is therefore essential to start CPR as soon as possible, and YOU MUST deliver rescue breaths as well as chest compressions for it to be effective.

In the UK the sea water is very cold for most of the year, and it doesn't take long for a casualty to suffer hypothermia. Hypothermia causes blood to be diverted from the surface of the skin to the central organs, and everything slows down, the body's effort to protect the essential life support system. As a result it will often not be possible to feel a pulse in a casualty. If they are breathing but unconscious, the casualty should be thoroughly dried, but DO NOT vigorously rub, wet clothing removed, and wrapped in preferably a foil survival blanket, or several normal blankets, placed in recovery position and monitored whilst awaiting the emergency services. The aim is to rewarm SLOWLY.
If they stop breathing commence CPR by giving five rescue breaths before starting chest compressions (Remember we are dealing with a drowning which has caused the heart to stop through lack of oxygen), continue CPR at the normal 30:2 rate . NEVER STOP CPR ON A CASUALTY UNLESS YOU BECOME EXHAUSTED, OR THEY START BREATHING, OR MEDICAL HELP TAKES OVER This is especially important for victims of drowning, or those of hypothermia. NOTE ALL VICTIMS OF DROWNING NEED HOSPITAL TREATMENT EVEN IF THEY APPEAR TO HAVE FULLY RECOVERED, THIS IS BECAUSE SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE ASPIRATION OF WATER.
Remember this information does not take the place of a formal course in First Aid and is only for guidance.

When was the last time you checked your first aid kit?

2010-04-15T03:45:00.001-07:00

Like your First Aid Certification the contents of your first aid kit have an expiry date. It is the responsibility of the Work Place First Aider, or Appointed Person to regularly check the contents and arrange for replacement of time expired dressings.

A very useful product that isn't generally included in the kit but in our opinion is essential is a resuscitation face shield, though , as the video on the previous posting shows CPR can be conducted without giving rescue breaths in most situations,doing so gives the casualty a better chance by prolonging the "window" of effective Basic Life Support, before professional help arrives.
We can supply either the full face mask shown in the picture, which has the advantage of delivering air via the mouth and nose, and has a tube for Oxygen to be connected to should it be available, or the inexpensive pocket face shield that can be with you at all times. The Face Mask is supplied in a hard plastic protective container and is ideal for storing close to your First Aid Kit we can supply this for £6 +P&P
Pocket face shields are £2.50 or in a keyring holder for £3.50 both + P&P contact us via our website if you would like to place an order. www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk

You Tube Presentation of an Alternative to Conventional CPR

2010-04-14T11:47:00.001-07:00

A You Tube Video Clip that demonstrates an alternative method of providing Basic Life Support that does not require you to provide rescue breaths. This method can be used if you as a rescuer are not comfortable providing rescue breaths to a stranger without a barrier device......... Enjoy CLICK HERE TO VIEW

What is the sequence in which you deal with a casualty?

2010-04-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

Stop - Think - Act

The answer is as simple as ABC

A= Assess the Scene for Hazards

Apply barriers

Approach the casualty

Airway (open airway if unresponsive)

Activate Emergency Services

B = Breathing (Look Listen Feel for breathing)

C = Circulation (If not breathing start with 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute)

After 30 chest compressions, deliver 2 breaths, then 30 more chest compressions, followed by 2 breaths, continue this until help arrives or you are too exhausted to continue.

Once started do not interrupt CPR, except for Defibrillation.

D = If trained to do so and a defibrillator is to hand connect the pads and follow AED prompts REMEMBER CPR SHOULD BE CONDUCTED ON A FIRM SURFACE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE CHEST COMPRESSIONS ON SOMEBODY WHO IS IN BED< GET THEM ON TO THE FLOOR FIRST!

Only if you have established if the patient is breathing do you move on to deal with other problems like, serious bleeding, shock management, spinal injury management etc.

If you have a mobile phone learn how to set it to "hands free"/ Speaker mode, this way you can continue to talk to ambulance control whilst dealing with the casualty.

Important information to have BEFORE making the 999 call

LIONEL

L = your location

I = Incident (What has happened)

O = What Other services you may require

N = Number of Casualties

E = Extent of injuries

L = Confirm your location

If possible have somebody wait in a prominent place for the ambulance to direct them to you.

This information is for guidance only and in no way replaces a formal course of training.

See our website for a full range of courses or come along to one of our low cost refresher sessions for some hands on practice.

www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk See our links page for interesting relevant information

Welcome to our Blog

2010-04-07T02:14:00.000-07:00

Hi, I would like to introduce our company. We are Life Force Training Services and provide quality HSE approved first aid training courses to businesses and individuals. we are staffed by ex ambulance service and nursing personnel and so, unlike many other training providers have a wealth of first hand experience that we would like to pass on to our students, after all would you feel comfortable flying in a plane if you knew that the pilots only had simulator experience?

On these pages we plan to publish hints and tips for those who may need a reminder on how to deal with an emergency situation. We will also publish dates of various open refresher training sessions that we regularly hold. These are low cost half day informal events that give you the opportunity to catch up on latest techniques and practice your CPR skills between recertification dates, for those who need it we can also issue a certificate of attendance to show that you have undertaken update training as part of your personal career development.

We have links on our website to various interesting video clips on "You Tube" which are well worth viewing. www.lifeforce-training-services.co.uk So keep in touch.

It may be of interest to you to know that we are distributors for Zoll Medical who produce a first rate AED that must rank as one of the most advanced yet affordable on the market. This machine, unlike any other , actually "talks" you through the whole rescue process prompting you on how to deliver CPR and actually gives feedback on the effectiveness of the chest compressions that are being given, with easy to apply pads and running on commercially available duracell batteries which give a five year shelf life, this must make it one of the cheapest AEDs to own. Contact us for further details