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5 Easy Steps to Perform CPR at Home

But first, what is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) is a hands-on emergency and first aid procedure given to a person who has gone into a cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is a medical condition where the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating, often without warning. It is triggered by an abnormal electrical activity in the heart that causes irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias.

It involves performing two basic procedures – chest compressions and rescue breaths (also known as mouth-to-mouth). It can be used individually or both at the same time. The purpose of CPR is to restore breathing and keep the blood flowing to the brain and other organs until emergency services arrive. Without oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain, brain damage can occur within a matter of minutes.

Anyone can learn how to perform CPR via an online first aid course or through in-person training.

To help you with the basics, here is a four-step guide when administering CPR lifesaving assistance.

  1. Check the person’s responsiveness.

Before anything else, it is vital to know whether the person needs CPR or not. If the person is responsive when you attempt to talk or touch them, do not start CPR. However, it is always best to call emergency services right away, especially if the person seems confused or is unable to speak.

  1. Call Triple Zero (000)

Even if you end up performing resuscitation, the person may still need to be taken to the hospital by ambulance as soon as possible. If you do not succeed in performing CPR, the paramedics may be able to resuscitate the person using advanced medical equipment, such as an automated external defibrillator (AED).

There is also an instance where the paramedics will talk you through performing CPR on the phone until they are ready to take over.

  1. Chest compressions

Chest compressions or hands-only CPR allows the blood to move through the brain. This move helps keep the brain working until the heart restores to its normal function. When doing chest compressions, it is critical to keep the blood flowing with slight to no interruption.

  1. Rescue breathing

Also known as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, this CPR technique requires you to use your own breath to fill the person’s lungs with air. Hence, rescue breathing helps restore the person’s ability to breathe.

Providing rescue breathes has become one of the most controversial steps in performing CPR. There is an ongoing debate on how much resuscitation is enough or too much, and if it is even necessary.

If you perform rescue breaths at home, in the workplace, or even in public, make sure you know how to do it correctly.

Conclusion

The most important reason to get CPR certification is to help save someone’s life. Half of Australia’s population feels too helpless to act in a cardiac emergency due to a lack of first aid and CPR knowledge. Most teenagers and adults do not know how to perform CPR. Continue learning as you choose your career path.

If you are ready to get CPR certification, there is no shortage of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in Australia. Typing keywords on the search engine such as “CPR certification near me” will produce dozens of options in your area, including online courses. One of which is Jam Safety.

We look forward to seeing you on one of our courses some day.!

firstaid kit

Contents of a basic first aid kit

 First Aid Kit… 

Your first aid kit should be organised, properly stocked and available at all times. It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit in various locations such as at home, in the car and at work. You will soon be able to buy first aid kits for home, sports or work off JAM SAFETY website. Specialty kits will also be available to meet specific needs, i.e. Snake bite, electrical worker, personal packs.

The First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice (2012) by Safe Work Australia should be used as a reference to guide you in choosing first aid kits for your workplace.

It is strongly recommended that you participate in a first aid course so you will have the knowledge and skills to use equipment in a first aid kit to help someone who is suddenly injured or becomes ill.

Contents of a basic first aid kit

First aid kit contents vary according to their particular use. For example, a first aid kit for a farm will contain a few different items to a first aid kit for a city-dwelling family.

A basic first aid kit should contain:

  • Triangular bandages
  • Crepe (‘conforming’ or elastic) bandages of varying widths
  • Non-adhesive (non-stick) dressings of varying sizes
  • Disposable gloves (medium and large), preferably made of non-latex material
  • Thermal blanket
  • Notepad and pencil
  • Plastic bags of varying sizes
  • Adhesive tape (2.5 cm wide – preferably a permeable tape such as Micropore)
  • Resuscitation mask or face shield.

Other equipment can include:

  • Medium combine dressing pads (9 x 20 cm)
  • Large combine dressing pads (20 x 20 cm)
  • Adhesive dressing strips (bandaids)
  • Medium gauze dressing (7.5 x 7.5 cm)
  • Four sterile tubes of saline solution (minimum 10 ml)
  • One pair of scissors
  • One pair of tweezers
  • First aid booklet.

Medications in first aid kits

The First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice advises that first aid kits for workplaces should not contain medications. First aid is defined as the provision of emergency treatment and life support for people suffering injury or illness. The dispensing of medication does not generally fall within this definition. It is recommended that medicines are not kept in a first aid kit.

If you keep medicines for yourself or your family, such as paracetamol and aspirin for pain relief, they should be kept secure and out of reach of children.

Storing your first aid kit

Storage suggestions include:

  • Keep the first aid kit in a dry, cool location.
  • Make sure the first aid kit is easily accessible and that everyone in the family knows where it is.
  • Some items, such as solutions, may have use-by dates. Check regularly and replace when necessary.
  • If an item is used from the first aid kit, promptly replace it.

Learn how to use your first aid kit

A first aid kit won’t help if you don’t know how to use its contents. Buy a book on basic first aid to read about how to use the contents of the kit or, better still, participate in a first aid course. Refer to our website Jamsafety.com.au for upcoming courses.

First aid equipment explained

The various gauzes, dressings and bandages found in a first aid kit have different uses. Some of these include:

  • Adhesive strip dressings – small strips of gauze attached to a sticky backing. These dressings are used for minor cuts and skin injuries. In Australia, they are commonly called bandaids. It is important to be aware that some people are allergic to bandaids.
  • Non-adhesive dressings – best used for covering burnt or abraded (scraped or grazed) skin. Never use adhesive dressings on burnt or abraded skin.
  • Wound dressings – these thick pads are used to help control bleeding and reduce the risk of infection. Different sizes are needed for different-sized wounds.
  • Crepe or conforming bandages – these elastic bandages are used to create pressure, hold dressings in place, reduce swelling and provide some support.
  • Triangular bandages – these non-elastic bandages are used for slings, to hold splints in place and to restrict movement.
  • Sterile eyewash solution – used to flush eyelashes, insects, dust, sand or similar particles from the eye. Never attempt to remove an object that is embedded in or has penetrated an eye – in such an instance, seek urgent medical attention.

Where to get help

  • In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
  • St John Ambulance Australia (NSW) Tel: 1300 78 56 46
  • Safework NSW  Tel: 13 10 50
  • Australian Red Cross  Tel:  1300 367 428
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What is a confined space? And why do we enter them.?

Australian standards define a confined space as;

A ‘confined space’ means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that: – is not designed or intended to be occupied by a person. – is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person.

OK, but what is that in everyday terms?

To keep it simple, here are some examples you may see around your home, workplace or local neighborhood. The inside of your rainwater collection tank, stormwater pits, pipe systems and collection tanks on your street, the septic tank out the back of your grandparents house that you used to run over and shove sticks down as a child. Yea that contains sewage.! 

The exact definition of a confined space varies depending on the type of industry and uses. That is, confined spaces on a construction site are defined differently than confined spaces on a private property. Confined spaces that present special hazards to workers, including risks of toxic or gas accumulation, fires, falls, flooding, and entrapment may be classified as permit-required confined spaces depending on the nature and severity of the hazard. 

What are the requirements regarding confined spaces.?

A confined space entry permit must be issued for each entry into the confined space. Each permit only applies to one confined space and allows one or more workers to enter that space. A competent person who directs and supervises the work should be nominated and authorised to issue the permit on behalf of the business or undertaking.

A confined space entry permit is also required when a person enters a confined space to conduct the initial hazard identification or risk assessment. The permit may need to be revised after the risk assessment is completed. The confined space entry permit must list the following;

  1. Confined space to which the permit applies
  2. Name of any worker permitted to enter the space
  3. Period of time that the permit is in operation
  4. Measures to control the risk

How Dangerous Are Confined Spaces

Injuries and fatalities involving confined spaces are frequent and often involve successive fatalities when would-be rescuers succumb to the same problem as the initial victim. According to data collected by Fifty-nine confined space related deaths were identified over the period 2000-2012; an average rate of 0.05 deaths per 100,000 workers across Australia. This rate is comparable to contemporary US (0.07) and Quebec (0.07) fatality rates. Selman, J. and Spickett, J. and Jansz, J. and Mullins, B. 2017. Work-related traumatic fatal injuries involving confined spaces in Australia, 2000-2012. Journal of Health, Safety and Environment. 33 (2).

Safety precautions and confined spaces

Ventilation

Two of the possible risks of confined spaces are low oxygen levels and harmful atmospheres (including vapours and flammable gases).
It is impossible to smell oxygen or some lethal gases so the human nose is an unreliable indicator of safe or harmful atmospheres. Instead, the air in confined spaces needs to be regularly tested for oxygen and contaminants using proper equipment.
Purging or mechanical ventilation, such as fresh air blowers or extractors, should always be used, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Safety suggestions include:

  1. Use an in date and calibrated gas monitor, insure the unit has been bump tested prior to use. Do a safety check, make sure you test the environment prior to entering.
  2. Any equipment is suitable for use in a confined space, especially equipment being used in flammable areas, which should be non-sparking and flameproof.
  3. Operate the purging or ventilation system before anyone enters the confined space to make sure the atmosphere is safe.
  4. Operate the purging or ventilation system continuously while anyone is inside the confined space.
  5. Make sure the purging or ventilation line is close to the working face.
  6. Vent exhaust from machinery straight out of the confined space.
  7. When using vaporous chemicals such as solvents, refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for their safe use.

Observation and communication when working in confined spaces

Make sure the people inside the confined space are monitored from the outside. There should be a person trained in initiating emergency procedures observing those inside the confined space from a safe vantage point outside the space. Practical communication methods include:

  1. mobile telephones
  2. two-way radios
  3. closed circuit television
  4. hand signals
  5. rope signals.

Emergency procedures for confined spaces

It is vital to devise proper emergency procedures and to rehearse them often. Suggestions include:

  1. Contact safework for advice and information.
  2. Train employees in first aid.
  3. Keep a suitable first aid kit in an accessible place.
  4. Provide rescue equipment – such as lifelines, lifting equipment, stretchers, and air-supplied, escape-type or self-rescue respiratory protective equipment and train employees in how to use them.
  5. Install emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers.
  6. Ensure easy access to medical treatment and emergency services.

Conclusion

Always remember, never enter a confined space without proper control measures in place and never enter alone.!

We follow the above rules and regs every day when at work, they’re standard practice across all sites. Don’t take unnecessary risks when working at the home by letting the ‘She’ll be right’ attitude creep in. Always plan ahead.