• SIMON BLACK
• THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
• AUGUST 16, 2013 5:16PM

A FREAK accident has left a 19-year-old man with a metal reinforcement bar embedded in the centre of his forehead at a construction site on the north shore.

The young man, Kieran Dodge, was clearing rubble with an excavator on Tyron road, Linfield when a bar snapped and drove into the cabin.

Construction worker, Kieran, 19, is cut free from the excavator cabin before being transported to Royal North Shore Hospital. Picture: Adam Ward Source: News Limited

“I heard him yelling out ‘help me, help me’,” fellow worker Eric Reddacliff said.
“We all thought he was joking and holding a piece of metal up to his head.”

“When I got closer I realised he had a re-bar (reinforcement bar) stuck dead-centre in his forehead.”

Fire-Rescue, police, ambulance and CareFlight teams were involved in the rescue shortly after 10am.

Emergency services work to stabilise Kieran before he was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital. Pic: Adam Ward Source: News Limited

Mr Dodge was treated by a CareFlight trauma doctor and paramedics as fire officers worked to cut him free.
Mr Reddacliff said the young man was conscious and speaking during the wait for the ambulance.

“He seemed ok,” he said. “I mean, he had a concerned look on his face but what do you expect.”

“This is one of the weirdest things I’ve seen. Just a freak accident.”

Construction worker Kieran was clearing rubble from a work site at Lindfield on Sydney’s north shore when an metal re-inforcement rod smashed through the cabin and into his forehead today. Picture: Adam Ward Source: News Limited

Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Greg Pace said fire fighters had cut the cabin from the excavator before transporting Mr Dodge to Royal North Shore Hospital.
“We were thinking about cutting the bar but the doctor was concerned about the vibrations,” Mr Pace said. “So we took the cabin off and got him out still holding onto it.”

He praised the young man’s bravery.

“He said he was in pain but he didn’t make a peep while we were working,” he said.

Mr Dodge was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.

Belconnen First Aid Courses, Woden CPR Courses, Gungahlin Asthma and Anaphylaxis Courses, whatever training you need make sure South Canberra First Aid course is thebest course provider you can choose. Our down to earth trainers, our relevant first aid scenarios and competitive quotes are what make us the best in the industry. Our course are conducted out of Ainslie Football Club and Dickson College to service locals in the Canberra. Book into a First Aid, CPR or a Childcare Training course and be ready for any emergency.

www.canberrafirstaid.com or 0449746357

At the National Asthma Council Australia, we know that if you are one of the 7 million Australians with allergy or the 2 million with asthma, you want to know how you could improve the health and wellbeing of you and your family. That’s why we developed the Sensitive Choice® program.

Our Sensitive Choice® blue butterfly symbol is a way of recognising products and services from companies that support asthma and allergy care. Products that carry the blue butterfly may be better choices for people with asthma and allergies.

The Sensitive Choice® program has over 200 products and services carrying the blue butterfly. Through a partnership between the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand and the National Asthma Council Australia, New Zealanders are also able to benefit from this program.

The program is a type of sponsorship program, although approved products and services must satisfy our independent Product Advisory Panel they do no harm and may offer relative benefits to people with asthma or allergies.

If you see the blue butterfly when shopping, stop for a moment and think about your family’s asthma and allergy care.

• Do you know your triggers?
• Are you taking steps to reduce your exposure to your triggers?
• Have you had an asthma and allergy review with your doctor recently?
• Do you follow your asthma or allergy action plan?

Canberra First Aid and Training will take you through how to treat an Asthma attack and help someone breathe well again. Complete a first aid course in Canberra as soon as possible so you are up to date and prepared to save someones life.

Sign up to a Canberra First Aid Course today.

Updated Mon 30 Sep 2013, 2:07pm AEST

 Fire authorities in New South Wales are warning of a long, hot summer, with 1.3 million households in the state classified as “high-risk” this bushfire season.

The official bushfire period starts tomorrow, but there have already been more than 1,000 fires in the past month alone.

At the moment there are 55 bushfires around the state, with 24 of them still out of control.

“That’s around us. It’s not around the corner, it’s right around us now,” Emergency Services Minister Mike Gallacher said this morning at the Rural Fire Service’s headquarters in Sydney.

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons is warning against taking a laid back attitude to bushfire plans, saying people should write their plans down.

“She’ll be right mate just isn’t good enough,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

“The Bureau of Meteorology have over the last six weeks or so dramatically revised the forecast as we head into the next three months leading into summer.

“We’re looking at above normal conditions in terms of temperatures and indeed a deficit of moisture, an absence of rainfall, across much of NSW.

“You’ve got the indicators that say we’re going to be in for a very difficult and challenging fire season.”

He says the RFS has been focusing on hazard reduction burns around Yass, Coonabarabran and the Shoalhaven area, the worst effected places in January when 50 homes were lost to bushfires.

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins says serious fires recently at Barrenjoey and Winmalee show the blaze risk is not only a rural problem.

“People in suburbia need to know they can be impacted by bushfires. Now is the time to act,” Commissioner Mullins said.

He has singled out residents in areas including the Blue Mountains, Lane Cove, Warringah and Sutherland as needing bushfire plans.

“What this season is shaping up to so far is not only a reminder of last season in country and regional areas, but of course the fire risk is at the door of the Sydney Metropolitan Area,” Mr Gallacher said.

Its going to be a long hot summer in Oz this year. Canberra First Aid has the motto ‘Be prepared. Save a Life” This not only relates to first aid in Canberra but those hot summer days bringing fires.

RICH KINSEY COLUMN: A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

By admin / 19 October 2013 / Canberra First AId, Emergency, First Aid, Training / fNo Comments

If someone you know were having a rough time in life, would you have the courage to ask them if they were thinking about killing him or herself? Is it worth that nervous feeling in your gut to just ask the question? Are you worried that asking the question could potentially put the idea in a friend or loved one’s head?It will not put the idea in their head, and you must ask the question. Asking that tough question could save the life of a friend or loved one.

A week ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a class sponsored by the Ann Arbor Police Department Chaplains entitled “Mental Health First Aid.” The class was taught by Police Chaplain Don DesNoyers, who did an excellent job. Chaplain DesNoyers gave us a fresh perspective on mental illness and an action plan to help those in crisis.

Chaplain DesNoyers first gave us some staggering statistics about mental illness. Did you know a quarter of us have a diagnosable mental illness? Our textbook, “Mental Health First Aid USA,” also cited “a national survey of Americans found 19.6 percent of adults (18 or older) experienced a mental disorder in any one year.” That is huge and yet the stigma of mental illness pervades our society. That stigma attached to mental illness is the reason those afflicted do not seek the professional help they need.

In the last hour or so of the class Chaplain DesNoyers gave a good example. If a neighbor or friend was suddenly stricken with serious debilitating medical ailment—say they were suddenly paralyzed or had to take time off work for cancer treatment—would it not be natural to lend them a hand. Perhaps you would make them a casserole, mow their lawn or, as winter is just around the corner, shovel their walk for them.

If that same neighbor was diagnosed with a debilitating mental illness would you do the same thing or would you warn the kids to stay away from the crazy guy or gal next door?

In my own chosen profession there is a huge stigma attached to mental illness in our ranks. First of all, rest assured before they hand you a badge and gun to go forth and keep the community safe, you are investigated and psychologically evaluated to make sure you are mentally stable.

After that there really was not much after care until recent years when departments realized that some critical incident stress debriefings were beneficial for some of the many terrible things first responders encounter. These proactive programs have helped first responders, combat veterans and citizens who have been faced with tragedy and trauma.

When I started in police work 1982, I remember being told to be careful because cops are six times more likely to commit suicide than to be killed in the line of duty. Suicide in police work is sometimes referred to as “cop’s disease.” My non-scientific, anecdotal experience of cops I have known throughout the years, who have died by either means, is pretty close to that 6:1 ratio I was given so long ago.

The advice given us rookies was to exercise more, drink alcohol less and seek professional help only if you really need it. Seeking professional help — which is really the healthy and most beneficial thing — could end your career however or at least impair any upward or lateral mobility in the field of law enforcement.

In police work and the world in general, education is the key to removing the stigma attached to mental illness. The more we as a population understand that mental illness is just merely another illness which happens to affect the mind, the more we can both compassionately and effectively deal the problem.

Chaplain DesNoyers gave another example. Just as one afflicted with cardiovascular disease can die from a heart attack, one with a mental disorder can die—by suicide—from a “brain attack.”

What can we do in a psychological crisis to avoid tragedy? First and foremost provide the person afflicted with HOPE.

Just as in standard first aid, mental health first aid deals with the most life-threatening conditions and attempts to stabilize the patient until professional medical or mental health providers can take over.

Recall the “action plan” for standard first aid, to treat the most life threatening conditions is A-B-C: Airway, Breathing and Circulation.

The action plan for mental health first aid is A-L-G-E-E.

The “A” stands for “Assess for risk of suicide or harm.” This is where you must ask if a person is thinking of killing or hurting themselves or others. If so, what steps have they taken to do this—e.g purchased a gun, cut themselves or taken pills. You must also ascertain where the person is located and then CALL 9-1-1 and get the police responding right away.

The “L” stands for “Listen non-judgmentally” or, as Mr. DesNoyers so succinctly put it, “Shut up and listen” to the person in crisis. Listen, do not provide immediate simple answers, but instead try to understand their perspective.

The “G” stands for “Give reassurance and information.” Here you are helping the person realize they are not alone and their problem can be managed or even overcome. You give the person hope.

The first “E” stands for “Encourage appropriate professional help.” Give the person referrals in the form or telephone numbers or other sources of contact. You can always give them the United Way 2-1-1 Information Line that can give the person in need the proper agency and telephone number to call.

The “professionals” may include primary care physicians, mental health professionals, certified peer counselors, psychologists or psychiatrists. The first aid provider must understand that the person may not call immediately, but the person in crisis is at least given the “tools” if and or when they decide to get professional help.

The last “E” stands for “Encourage self-help and other support strategies.” This is encouragement designed to get the person to look into appropriate coping mechanisms like exercise, relaxation therapy or read about self-help options in published materials.

Whether you can remember the ALGEE acronym or not, just remember if you think someone is about to hurt or kill themselves or others call 9-1-1 and get them assistance right away.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or just think the world is closing in on you and there is no hope, please call someone. Whether it is 9-1-1, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 or a trusted family member or friend, please reach out.

Thanks to the Ann Arbor Police Department, the Chaplains and especially Don — that was outstanding training. If you are interested in attending a Mental Health First Aid class contact Chaplain Don DesNoyers at: [email protected]

Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.

Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now writes his “Semper Cop” column about crime and safety for The Ann Arbor News.

A very interesting article from America. Canberra First Aid and Training although focusing on first aid would like to acknowledge that there is becoming a rapid growth in mental health problems in Australia. Please ask your friends and family how they are going and are they ok from time to time.

First Aid training in Canberra in the future will have a larger emphasis on mental health and wellbeing in the future so sign up to a course today in Canberra with Ryan and his great staff. 

PARENTS WARNED IMPROVE FIRST AID SKILLS TO PREVENT CHILD DROWNINGSFirst Aid

By admin / 30 December 2013 / Canberra First AId, CPR, Emergency 

THREE toddlers have drowned in NSW this month, sending a harrowing reminder to parents to watch their children at all times this summer season.

All parents should know first aid and CPR because knowledge is the difference between life and death, according to a Randwick paediatric nurse.

As school holidays and the Christmas silly season arrives, author Sarah Hunstead is reminding parents of the dangers that can happen with children around water, insects, small objects and hot surfaces.

“Always watch children near water. Many assume drowning is a loud splashy affair, however a toddler can drown in less than 30 seconds and it can be very silent,” she said.

In the past ten years 67 children under five years of age have drowned in a NSW swimming pool.

DROWNING TRAGEDY STRUCK IN SECONDS

Her key message is to stay calm during accidents and the best way to be in control is to be empowered with knowledge.

Ms Hunstead has released her first book to teach parents baby and child first aid.

“In a lot of situations first aid may not be able to help children who have fell into water. But a recent Surf Life Saving Australia report showed an increase of 50 per cent of toddlers drowning in the past twelve months, maybe if parents are better trained in CPR this statistic will be lower.”

In the past ten years 67 children under five years of age have drowned in a NSW swimming pool.

An 18-month-old girl was playing beside a relative’s pool in Griffith on Sunday afternoon, when the adults watching her glanced away “for a matter of seconds”, and she fell in and drowned.

The same day, a two-year-old boy was pulled unconscious from a backyard pool in Windsor Downs, in Sydney’s northwest.

A week ago, a two-year-old boy died after falling into a pool at a house in Cronulla.

Sarah Hunstead’s A Life. A finger. A Pea up a Nose. is available at sarahhunstead.com for $24.95.

Canberra First Aid endorse the above book as a great resource. Learning CPR and First Aid is vital for all parents, make sure you get trained today. When an emergency happens you will be happy to have the skills. Heading into the summer now is the time to get first aid training in Canberra. 

By admin / 20 June 2014 / Canberra First AId, CPR, Emergency, First Aid, Training / No Comments

KIMBERLY GILLAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013

Men are 20 times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death while exercising than women.

For every million male athletes, 10 will suffer sudden cardiac death, compared with one death in every two million female athletes, according to researchers from Paris Descartes University.

Unlike a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, sudden cardiac death happens when the heart stops because electrical impulses that make it beat stop working.

The researchers interviewed emergency workers across France about how many cases of sudden cardiac death they had experienced in people doing moderate to vigorous exercise.

Of the 775 reported cases between 2005 and 2010, just 35 were women.

They calculated that 6.6 male cyclists would suffer sudden cardiac death per million male cyclists, compared with just 0.3 female cyclists per million.

Swimming saw fewer sudden cardio deaths, with one male death per million swimmers, compared with 0.2 women per million.

People over the age of 35 were most at risk, with the average age of death being 46 for men and 44 for women.

Sudden cardiac arrest, which is also known as massive heart attack, kills around 33,000 Australians a year. Most deaths occur outside of the hospital.

It can be treated with a defibrillation shock from an ambulance. Patients need to be treated quickly, because every minute that passes after the sudden cardiac arrest decreases a person’s chance of survival by 10 percent.

“It is vital that CPR and defibrillation are given as soon as possible, along with calling Triple Zero (000), to provide the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest,” said Dr Robert Grenfell, the cardiovascular health director at the Heart Foundation.

Source: Medical Daily Author: Kimberly Gillan; Approving editor: Rory Kinsella

Learn many important skills to help others in you local community / gym. First Aid and CPR can be learnt in as little as 5.5 hours and courses are available in South Canberra and North Canberra. Provide First Aid and Provide CPR courses are conducted close to Canberra CBD and are priced appropriately for all. The use of the defibrillation machine is crucial and a hands on course offered by South Canberra First Aid and also Canberra First Aid will have you trained and ready in the case of an emergency.

To book a course please contact Ryan @ Canberra First Aid and Training by emailing; [email protected]

Canberra First Aid is now offering the new course code of HLTAID004 to cater for the ever increasing changes to the Educational and Child care requirements. Although we have been offering the the combined course of First Aid and Asthma and Anaphylaxis for a number of years, it is great to offer the Provide an Emergency First Aid and response in an Educational and Care Setting HLTAID004 in Canberra and surrounding areas.

Canberra First Aid conducts private courses for all Childcare organisations and centres. Please contact Ryan – 0449746357 or [email protected]

Students and courses

This infographic provides a snapshot of Australia’s publicly funded vocational education and training sector. It presents statistics about student characteristics, qualifications completed, where and what students studied, and participation rates. Statistics about young people’s participation in education and training is also presented. More information including longer term trends, detailed data and explanatory notes are available. The states and territories are diverse in terms of economies, industry and VET policy and this needs to be considered in any detailed analysis.

An interesting infograph on Vet Training in Australia. This is also a good reminder that First Aid courses in Canberra and run by Canberra First Aid and Training are all VET courses. We also want to mention that from January the 1st 2015 onwards all participants in a first aid course in Canberra will need to obtain a USI before their training. To find out more please head to http://www.usi.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

June 19, 2014, 8:06 pm

ReutersRescuers help transport injured researcher Johann Westhauser inside the Riesending cave in Untersberg, south of Munich in this still image taken from video from a camera mounted on the helmet of a rescuer released by Bavaria’s mountain rescue team “Bergwacht Bayern” on June 16, 2014. REUTERS/Bergwacht Bayern/Handout via Reuters TV

BERCHTESGADEN(Reuters) – An injured explorer trapped in Germany’s deepest cave system for 12 days was finally brought to the surface on Thursday after a complex rescue operation, Bavaria’s mountain rescue service said.

Johann Westhauser, a 52-year old speleologist, injured his head in a rock fall on June 8 and was unable to climb back to the surface on his own as the ascent involved steep shafts and narrow tunnels.

The rescue took so long to complete because the injured man could not stand and the ascent involves steep and narrow horizontal and vertical shafts.

“He left the cave at 11.44 a.m. (0944 GMT),” said a rescue service spokesman, adding that medics were looking after him.

Some 70 rescue workers were in the cave to help recover the man while further teams, along with doctors, were waiting above ground, the local mountain rescue service said.

The man was one of the researchers who discovered the Riesending or “massive thing” cave system. Located near Bavaria’s border with Austria, it is 1,148 meters deep and has tunnels, shafts and caves extending over 19.2 kilometers.

It normally takes 12 hours to climb from the site of the accident to the surface.
(Reporting by Marcus Nagle; Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Stephen Brown)

First aid training skills can come in handy at any stage as shown in this article and you can even administer the techniques too yourself.

Canberra First Aid and Training is North Canberra’s leading training course provider.

Canberra First Aid and South Canberra First Aid is offering First Aid, CPR and Childcare Asthma and Anaphylaxis training courses that are close to civic.

Our First Aid courses are conducted using pre-course workbooks and face to face training of 5.5 hours (this time also includes your CPR training).

Our 2 hour CPR course is time efficient and is great for the time poor individual.

South Canberra First Aid can come to you at your location, at a time that suits you or please come to our public courses at The Ainslie Football Club or Dickson College.

First Aid and CPR in Canberra and Queanbeyan has never been so Simple!