Do CPR Charts Really Help?

Posted on 17th January 2013 by coastalfa Posted in First Aid News

Resuscitation chart poster with a coloured header and step-by-step first aid instructions

A person has collapsed and stopped breathing, you’ve never been trained in CPR and all you have is a CPR flowchart available. Is the CPR chart really going to help you? Well this is the question that has been answered thanks to the latest research. The study investigated whether a CPR flowchart had any real … Continue reading →

Beat The Heat – How To Prepare For Hot Weather

Posted on 7th January 2013 by coastalfa Posted in First Aid News

Bright sun in a blue sky beside a thermometer, illustrating hot-weather first aid

With temperatures across New South Wales expected to soar over the next couple of days, the Ambulance Service has released great tips on how to beat this extreme weather. Ambulance Chief Superintendent Ian Johns says the heat will affect everyone and it’s important not to under-estimate the heat and over-estimate your ability. It is very … Continue reading →

Stranger Revives Snorkler With CPR

Posted on 3rd January 2013 by coastalfa Posted in First Aid News

Large wave crashing over rocks with a crowd watching from the shore at Kiama blowhole

A stranger from the crowd, has revived a man using his CPR skills and has left the scene before he could be thanked. The incident occurred yesterday near the Kiama Blowhole where a snorkeller became unconscious and had to be rescued. A passer-by came to the snorkeller’s aid and started delivering chest compressions. The bystander … Continue reading →

NSW Ambulance Service Says Learn First Aid

Posted on 2nd January 2013 by coastalfa Posted in First Aid News

Close-up of an Ambulance Service of New South Wales paramedic uniform badge

From the NSW Ambulance Facebook Page “Learn First Aid! That’s the message we would like to extend to the community today following a spike in water related incidents around our beaches and swimming pools. In the past 24 hours, our paramedics assisted more than twelve people across the state who drowned or nearly drowned, some … Continue reading →

Dramatic Ice Rescue

Posted on 30th December 2012 by coastalfa Posted in First Aid News

Footage of the dramatic ice rescue which happened yesterday at Wrightwood, California. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yOuxVAOaAE

Should You Remove Clothing Before CPR?

Posted on 29th December 2012 by coastalfa Posted in First Aid Research

Man in a suit dramatically pulling open his shirt

No, not your clothing, the casualty’s. Keep yours on. A recent study has investigated whether, when performing CPR, it is better to remove a casualty’s clothing or to simply just leave them on. The researchers conducted a simulated trial exploring the how the presence or absence of clothing, affected CPR and chest compression quality. The … Continue reading →

I Survived CPR

Posted on 28th December 2012 by coastalfa Posted in First Aid News

Beach lifeguard in uniform posing with a family on a seaside promenade

“TWO weeks ago today I was dead. Literally. A complete stranger pulled me out of the surf at Coogee Beach. I had no pulse. I was blue. My lips were deep purple. Two other strangers came to assist, one with piercings, the other in a soccer jumper. Another stranger, whose second language was English, yelled, … Continue reading →