Important information about swine flu

There were an estimated 55,000 new cases of swine flu in the UK last week, and 29 people have died so far. Read the latest official advice to help protect yourself and others.

Key messages

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:

• Read up on swine flu symptoms then use the NHS Direct swine flu symptom checker
• If you are then still concerned, stay at home and call your GP
• If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy friend or relative to visit your GP to pick up a document entitling you to antiviral medication
• They will then need to pick the medication up at a collection point your GP will advise on (a local pharmacy or similar)

Note: If you belong to a high-risk group it is particularily important you start taking antivirals as soon as possible. High-risk groups include people with long-term conditions, those over 65, children under five and pregnant women.

Key actions

Swine flu is spreading fast in the UK with several hundred new cases being confirmed daily. Prepare now:

• Establish a network of “flu friends” – friends and relatives – who can help if you fall ill. They could, for example, collect medicines and food for you
• Make sure that you have an adequate amount of paracetamol-based cold remedies in the house in case you become ill

Key reading

• For the daily updates on the swine flu outbreak go to Swine flu latest news
• For an explanation of swine flu, its symptoms and treatment, go to Swine flu A-Z
• For quick questions and answers go to Swine flu Q&A
• For information in other languages and formats go to Swine flu – other languages

Good hygiene

Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu. You should always:

• Ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water
• Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs
• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• Place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible
• For more on the changes announced by government today go to Swine flu latest news.

Go to Directgov for essential cross-government information on swine flu, including latest advice on travel, schools and other public services

For information specific to Scotland, go to NHS24

For information specific to Wales, go to NHS Direct Wales

About Heart Attacks

Your heart needs a constant supply of oxygen-containing blood to keep it healthy. A heart attack happens when a blood clot in an artery interrupts that blood supply.

Chest pain is the most common warning sign of a heart attack. But there are other signs and symptoms and these can vary from one person to another. Too often people ignore symptoms because they think of the classic ‘Hollywood’ heart attack where someone collapses to the ground and is unconscious. In reality heart attack symptoms are not always this extreme.

A heart attack can happen at any time of the day or night. It can be brought on by intense physical or emotional stress but it’s just as likely to happen out of the blue when you are resting.

It is estimated that every 6 minutes someone in the UK dies from a heart attack.

• Coronary heart disease remains the UK’s single biggest killer with almost 94,381 deaths in 2006.
• Anyone can experience a heart attack. Every year about 126,000 men and 101,000 women suffer heart attacks.
• Around a third of heart attack patients die before they reach hospital.
• You are three times more likely to survive if you call the emergency services immediately and receive medical help in the first hour. Don’t wait – call 999 immediately.

You can help us save lives by learning how to recognise the signs of a heart attack and calling an ambulance immediately when you recognise the signs in you or other people.

http://www.itg-first-aid.com/index.htm

Know the Symptoms of a Heart Attack and start now to avoid them

Knowing some of the symptoms someone may experience when having a heart attack. It’s important to remember that the symptoms of a heart attack can vary from one person to another they can be mild, severe, or somewhere in between. No two heart attacks are the same. Symptoms can range from a severe pain in the centre of the chest, to having mild chest discomfort that makes you feel generally unwell. In many cases, chest pain or tightness are accompanied by a range of other symptoms.

Even if you already have coronary heart disease or have had a heart attack there are still things you can do to help keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of further heart problems.

You can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and having a heart attack by avoiding smoking, taking regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity 5 times a week), eating a balanced diet which is rich in fruit and vegetables and low in salt and saturated fat.

There is no evidence that non drinkers of alcohol should start drinking alcohol in order to reduce their risk of developing coronary heart disease or having a heart attack. However, if you do drink already, then drinking in moderate amounts can help to reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and of having a heart attack. A man should have no more than 3-4 units a day and a woman no more that 2-3 units a day.

http://www.itg-first-aid.com/index.htm

HSE website links for first aid at work GB rules changes

More details please see http://www.itg-first-aid.com/index.htm

The HSE sites with new guidance can be found at

http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/new.htm What’s New

http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/training-guidance.htm April 2009 Guidance

If you are an EFR instructor then you can contact them direct with any questions or contact Keith at ITG on 07808 001622 or see http://www.itg-first-aid.com/index.htm

EFR First Aid at Work GB New Centre set up arrangements

I have been in touch with EFR and they say that first aid at work centres set up after 1st October 2009 will get the rest of the year and the next year included for the fee.  If you set up before the 1st October you will need to pay again in January 2010.  This only applies to new centres.

You will need this set up for all First Aid at Work courses including the new 3 day FAW and the EFAW one day course that is now required in the work place where you will be teaching the Appointed Persons course at the moment.

http://www.itg-first-aid.com/index.htm

Staying Safe in Dangerously Hot and Humid Weather

The human body produces its own heat. The brain, as well as other vital organs, must remain within a relatively narrow core body temperature in order to function properly. In order to maintain the proper core body temperature, the body must control how much heat is retained or lost. The skin controls most heat loss or retention.

Full story http://firstaid.about.com/od/heatcoldexposure/qt/07_high_heat.htm

Treat a Stingray Sting

If you manage to surprise a stingray and get stung, you are likely to have a very painful reaction. There is little known about the toxin in a stingray sting, other than it is protein based and can be dangerous.

Full details please see: http://firstaid.about.com/od/bitesstings/ht/06_stingray.htm

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter – ideal “toy” for first aid training

We will be getting some fingertip pulse oximeter gauges in and available for sale at no more than £85 which is a lot cheaper than many companies.  They are idea to use with your class as  a training aid to show pulse and oxygen Sat levels. We will also be bringing in hand held ECG gauges so you can also show the heart beat graphically at about £160. Let us know if your interested an we will be in touch when they arrive.

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Features:

Small & lightweight design ( total 28g without batteries )

Digital LEDs display

Display SpO₂,PR,Pulse bar

Low power consumption

automatically power off

Battery-low indicator

2 AAA alkaline or rechargeable batteries

Accommodates widest range of finger sizes from pediatric to adult

Standard Accessory

2 AAA Alkaline batteries

Operating manual

Hang string

Treat Chlorine Gas Exposure: Mixing Bleach and Ammonia

In case your mom didn’t tell you, mixing bleach and ammonia can kill you. The nitty-gritty details of the chemical reaction aren’t important, but the end result is a release of chlorine gas. Chlorine gas is so dangerous, it was used as a chemical warfare agent in World War I.

If you discover someone exposed to chlorine gas, follow these steps to stay safe and get the help needed.

Full information please see http://firstaid.about.com/od/hazardousmaterials/ht/bleachgas.htm