Category Archives: Uncategorized

Life-saving goal needs $50,000 boost

March 7, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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More than $50,000 is needed by the Australia Red Cross Dubbo to ensure anyone who has a cardiac arrest is given the best chance of survival.

The Red Cross aims to make Dubbo a “Heart Safe City”. First aid trainer George Chapman wants to see automated external defibrillators installed in all high traffic areas, no more than two minutes apart.

The third $3300 machine was installed at Dubbo Grove Pharmacy on Boundary Road but 20 were needed, Mr Chapman said.

“I’ve had a lot of phone calls but haven’t seen much money,” Mr Chapman said.

I’ve had a lot of phone calls but haven’t seen much money.

The first aid trainer said the defibrillators were expected to save up to two lives per week. Dubbo Hospital treated 322 people annually in Dubbo with heart conditions and not all of those patients survived, Mr Chapman said.

The Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie has also jumped on board the campaign, launching an appeal to raise money for more AED units.

“We’ve had a great start but we’re hoping the community will actively get behind this campaign so we can reach our goal of having AED units in all high traffic areas of Dubbo that are no more than two minutes apart,” Mr Chapman said.

Club Dubbo has already donated two machines and another has come from Dubbo RSL Memorial Club. They are located in Myall Street, Tamworth Street and now on Boundary Road. Each location that has a defibrillator will have a sticker in the window in case it is required.

The benefit of the automated external defibrillators was that anyone could use them, Mr Chapman said. The machine talks its user through each step of the process.

The battery and pads will each last eight years.

Club Dubbo CEO Rod Firth said he would continue to support the campaign until there were enough defibrillators in the city.

Dubbo Regional Council is also supporting what mayor Ben Shields has called a ‘life-saving’ campaign.

“The survival rates of cardiac arrests that happen outside hospital will be given a much needed boost by having defibrillators in locations that are heavily frequented,” Cr Shields said.

Check out our upcoming first aid course in Canberra and learn how to use a defibrillator.

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Mental illness first aid for youth

March 5, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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First aid training was on the program agenda, but not methods such as CPR or the Heimlich maneuver. Instead, the Youth Mental Health First Aid training focused on ways to help youth experiencing a mental health crisis.

Twenty-five people — including high school and college students, teachers and professors, parents, a pastor and a nurse — gathered Saturday at the MU Extension in Boone County. The program’s goals were to demystify mental health stigmas and to teach people how to provide immediate help in a mental health emergency.

The participants each earned a certificate upon completing the day-long training. The event was cohosted by the MU Extension in Cooper County and Children’s Grove, a local charity that supports young people’s mental and emotional health.

Sarah Traub, a human development and family science specialist based at the MU Extension in Cooper County, and Alejandra Gudiño, an officer for MU’s Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, led the training. They followed a curriculum set by Mental Health First Aid, an international nonprofit that trains people to “identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.” The nonprofit also trains people to provide emotional support to people with a mental health or substance abuse problem.

Gudiño said they have offered the training to educators everywhere in Boone County except Columbia, where they hope to bring it soon.

She also said the idea is for people to have a conversation with and inspire hope in those they’re trying to help.

“Recovery is there, even in the most difficult cases,” Gudiño said. “Treatment is there.”

Both Traub and Gudiño stressed that the course is not meant to train people to diagnose mental illnesses, but rather how to care for people and help connect them with resources. Gudiño said she wants people to know how to talk to those suffering and “listen with good hearts and a little bit of information.”

During the training, participants talked about the importance of seeing mental illness the same way as physical illness.

“It’s important to have regular first aid because you don’t want to bleed out,” Katie Ensign, one of the participants, said. She said having mental health first aid is just as important, “because you don’t want to bleed out mentally either.”

Gudiño said this requires suspending judgment on others.

“We don’t judge people when they say, ‘Oh I have to go and put insulin because I have diabetes,’” she said.

Participants expressed various reasons for wanting to take the course.

Heather Dougan, a senior at Southern Boone High School in Ashland, said she has been waiting since last year to take it. She wants to be a social worker, and hopes this training will help her decide whether she wants to work with youth.

Molly Ring, an art teacher at Benton High School in St.Joseph and an MU graduate, said she came to learn more tools to use with her own students. In the seven years she has been teaching, she said she has adapted how she responds to her students’ behavioral issues.

“I want to get to the heart of what’s going on instead of being reactive,” Ring said. “Behaviors are usually not independent. There’s always something that’s a deeper cause.”

She also said she focuses on building relationships with students and doesn’t always make discipline the first step.

“The primary thing that helps me, even in a frustrating situation in the classroom, is approaching those situations with care — genuine care and concern — and trying to make that the first priority,” Ring said.

The course also covered the national prevalence of mental health issues among children. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 21 percent of 13- to 18-year-olds experience a severe mental disorder at some point, along with 13 percent of 8- to 15-year-olds.

Participants brought up several potential problems with data on mental health illnesses. They discussed how it can misrepresent certain age groups, genders and ethnicities because some of those groups may be less likely to report mental illness for a variety of reasons.

Supervising editor is Tynan Stewart.

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Alby Davis to choke to death

March 4, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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THE MOTHER of Alby Fox Davis, who choked to death after swallowing a toy bouncy ball, has revealed more heartbreaking details about his death, including the size of the ball.

Anna Davis posted to her Instagram page, The Small Folk, on Saturday with a side-by-side image of the ball compared to a 50 cent coin.

Alby’s mum, Anna, posted this comparison to her Instagram page to show what the ball that choked her son looked like.Source:Instagram

The ball is larger than a 50 cent piece.Source:Instagram

The rubber ball, which was in a box of party favours for his upcoming fourth birthday celebration, got stuck in the three-year-old’s windpipe, preventing his ability to breathe. Ms Davis, who is currently pregnant, tried desperately to save her son, but within seconds he passed away in her arms.

The devastated mother took to Instagram today after what she described as “many ignorant, hurtful and incorrect assumptions that have been formed regarding the more specific details of Alby’s passing”.

“I tried to save our beautiful boy (including, but not only, undertaking CPR for 16 excruciating minutes until paramedics arrived),” Ms Davis, from Wynyard in Tasmania, posted on Instagram.

Anna Davis tried desperately to save her three-year-old son, Alby.Source:Instagram

“I was three feet away from Alby when the incident occurred and was by his side within seconds.

“The ball was larger than the 50c piece/film canister size-recommendation for toys given to young children, and the ball packaging states ‘not for children under three years’.”

“Being only a few days away from turning 4, Alby was almost one year older than this advice.”

Alby was due to celebrate his fourth birthday party.Source:Instagram

Ms Davis’ post was met with sympathy, with many commenters shocked by the size of the ball that caused her son to choke.

“We just went to a 4th birthday party where the prizes were these balls,” one person wrote.

“Could have happened to anyone.”

“I would have never, ever imagined this could happen with a ball this size,” another added.

“We have two, I just tossed them. Never again.”

While Ms Davis’ original tribute was met with heartfelt messages of support, some commenters questioned why CPR wasn’t conducted.

The set of six PJ Masks bouncy balls are sold in Big W for $10.Source:Instagram

The ball is made for children three-years-old and above.Source:Instagram

According to the packaging of the bounce balls, which are sold in packets of six for $10, are not suitable for children under the age of 3.

On Thursday, Ms Davis posted her heartbreaking tribute to her son, Alby, who is survived by his older sister Sage and younger brother Acre.

“Yesterday afternoon, our beautiful, beautiful Alby, our darling baby boy, grew wings and flew from this earth,” she wrote.

Anna Davis, with her three children, Alby, Sage and Acre.Source:Instagram

“Minutes pass like hours and the gaping hole in our lives and hearts is completely incomprehensible.

“We adore you beyond belief, our sweet little fox. Forever three, forever free.”

In a statement sent to news.com.au, the Coroner’s Office confirmed it had begun investigating the death of a child on Tasmania’s North-West Coast.

“A Coronial investigation has begun into the death of a child on Tasmania’s North-West Coast on Monday,” the statement read.

Alby died after choking on a small rubber ball.Source:Supplied

“As the matter is ongoing, no further information can be released at this stage.”

A GoFundMe page has since been launched to assist the family, who live in Wynyard Tasmania, as Anna is self-employed and her husband, Simon, is a relief teacher and isn’t entitled to paid leave.

The page has gained more than $240,000 in donations, with people around the country reaching out to support the family in any way possible.

Amber Cooper, who launched the GoFundMe page, said a memorial event will be help on Sunday evening at the C3 Church in Austin Street in Wynyard at 7.30pm for friends, family and community members who wish to light a candle for Alby.

On Friday, Tasmania’s Consumer Services Office said it was working with police to investigate the incident.

“We will attempt to establish the retailer from which the toy was purchased, and from there the manufacturer, to determine the specific nature of the toy and whether or not it complied with product safety laws,” executive director Dale Webster said.

“This office works closely with the ACCC and other state regulators on product safety issues. Consumer information and guides, including information on banned products and recalls, are available through a national website.

“My sympathies go out to this young family and the Wynyard community.”

If this doesn’t get you to book in to a first aid course then nothing will. www.canberrafirstaid.com

Woman helped save life three weeks after learning first aid

March 1, 2018

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THREE weeks after Katrina Pitman gained her first aid qualification, she helped to save a life.

And now after experiencing first-hand that tragedy can strike anywhere and any time, Miss Pitman encourages others to invest in learning lifesaving skills.

While aboard a cruise ship and headed to a party, the Fraser Coast woman saw an elderly man collapse.

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She rushed to his side and performed CPR alongside another person using the freshly learned knowledge.

The pair kept the man alive before a medical team arrived.

“I was relieved to know that I could help,” Miss Pitman said, speaking of the incident.

“If I didn’t know what to do, I would have felt helpless.”

The 30-year-old sleep study technician initially completed the first aid course as part of a job requirement, and said she never expected to be put in a situation of needing to perform lifesaving procedures.

“I was doing what I was taught to do; first seeking a response, looking for danger, and checking to see if they were breathing,” she said.

“Luckily I had another person to assist with the compressions.”

Miss Pitman was later informed that her quick reaction was a reason why the man was still alive when transported for treatment.

“I am no hero, I did what any able person would do,” she said.

“If you do find yourself needing to perform first aid, look after yourself, and seek counselling afterwards if you need to.

“It has really highlighted the importance of knowing first aid.”

Why many athletes will be struggling with asthma

February 26, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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As the world’s best winter athletes compete in PyeongChang for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, the heavy demands of both training and competition will leave many of them with breathing problems.

Exercise-induced asthma is the most common medical problem among winter Olympic athletes, especially among cross-country skiers. Nearly 50% of these athletes suffer from the condition, closely followed by short-track speed skaters at 43%. For figure skaters it’s 21%, Nordic combined it’s 17%, and for ice hockey it’s 15%. By comparison, around 9% of the UK general population suffers from asthma.

The combination of sustained high breathing combined with cold, dry air increases winter athletes’ risk of asthma-related conditions. (Indoor speed skaters also have to deal with increased pollution in the form of particulate matter from ice resurfacing vehicles.) Cross-country skiers, for example, increase their breathing rate from about six litres per minute at rest, to 180 litres per minute during a race. This huge increase in breathing results in large volumes of cold, dry air being drawn into the lungs. This can cause the smooth muscle in the airway to narrow, reducing the athletes’ ability to breathe normally.

Ice resurfacing machines release particulate matter. njene/Shutterstock

This happens by two processes. The first relates to the airway becoming dehydrated which causes a release of inflammatory cytokines – messenger molecules that cause the airway to become narrow and inflamed.

The second process relates to respiratory heat loss which results in airway narrowing through nerve stimulation. When the athlete stops exercising, the airway narrows even further by a dilation of blood vessels as the airways warm up again.

Although we know that exercise-induced asthma is common in winter athletes, it can be confused with other conditions, such as dysfunctional breathing patterns and exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction, that have similar symptoms to asthma.

If an athlete is diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma, they are usually given the standard treatment for asthma: a preventer asthma inhaler, containing steroid medication. This works by reducing the inflammation and sensitivity of the airways, helping them breathe. However, athletes have to be careful about the type of inhaler they use as some drugs – such as salbutamol – could put them at risk of an anti-doping violation.

Alternative therapies

As well as using drugs to treat exercise-induced asthma, athletes can supplement their inhaler therapy with:

Heat-and-moisture face masks: Face masks worn during training and prior to competition are able to capture the heat and moisture in exhaled breath and use it to warm and moisten the inhaled air as a defenceagainst airway dehydration and subsequent narrowing.

Fish oils: Studies suggest that the use of omega-3 fish oils can reduce airway inflammation and provide a protective effect against asthma associated with exercise.

Prebiotics: Recent evidence suggests that a dietary prebiotic supplement that targets the good bacteria in the gut can reduce the severity of asthma in physically active asthma patients and reduce airway inflammation.

Winter athletes who suffer from exercise-induced asthma can use an inhaler alone, or in combination with one or more of the above treatments. By doing this, athletes can maintain their airway health and function, allowing them to compete without compromising their performance.

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Snake found near streets in Melbourne CBD

February 23, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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A HIGHLY venomous snake has caught a lift into Melbourne’s CBD before causing lunchtime chaos and attracting a huge crowd outside Southern Cross station this afternoon.

DEADLY SNAKE GETS HEAD STUCK IN BEER CAN

DID YOU SEE IT? Email [email protected]

The tiger snake was found near the corner of Collins and Spencer streets around 12.30pm and was removed about an hour later.

Police formed a cordon around the creature, with the unusual sight drawing media and a large crowd which stretched onto Spencer St.

VENOMOUS VISITORS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN: SNAKE HUNTER

Snake catcher Barry came to the rescue to remove the creature around 1.30pm.

“He could have hitchhiked here,” Barry the snake catcher told reporters at the scene.

“They come up the Yarra (River), they come up the drains.

“It’s not very often they come right into the CBD, but they do live around here

“They eat mice and rats and we’re swamped with (them) at the moment.

“He’s injured we’re going to see if we can take him to the vets and get him fixed up.”

A tiger snake in Melbourne’s CBD.Source:Supplied

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning senior scientist Nick Clemann said snakes do turn up in the city from “time-to-time” but it was uncommon.

“It may have come from the nearby Yarra River, hitchhiked in building materials or come from a construction zone,” he said.

“It could even be someone playing a practical joke, I’d hope not in terms of safety and animal welfare, but that’s also a possibility that we can’t discount.”

But it seems the snake just hitchhiked a ride.

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said Victoria Police told council’s animal management officers that “a tiger snake had fallen from underneath a car”.

The spokeswoman said officers kept people away from the animal while they waited for the snake catcher, and flagged down a police van to help with traffic management.

“The snake catcher attended the scene and secured the snake before transporting it to a vet for assessment,” they said.

“While City of Melbourne park rangers regularly respond to reports of snakes in some in our parks, this is the first sighting of a venomous snake in the central CBD in recent memory.”

One southbound lane of Spencer St was closed during the incident.

City of Melbourne posted a photo of the snake on Twitter and urged people to avoid the area.

“We’re currently trying to remove a snake who seems to be a little lost,” the council wrote during the incident.

Metro Trains also urged passengers travelling to or from Southern Cross station to take extra care.

Known to be aggressive, the highly venomous tiger snake is one of Australia’s deadliest animals and is identified by its banded “stripes”.

DEADLY SNAKES YOU CAN FIND IN YOUR BACKYARD

CAN YOU SPOT THE DEADLY TIGER SNAKE?

The deadly reptile is often associated with watery environments such as creeks, dams, drains, lagoons, wetlands and swamps, according to the Australian Museum.

Being a native snake, the species is protected.

Originally published asRogue snake invades major CBD street

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What it’s like to be stung by a stonefish

February 22, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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A MAN who stepped on a stonefish while on holiday in Queensland has detailed his horrific ordeal — and how nothing could stop the excruciating pain.

Emma Reid

Gladstone ObserverFEBRUARY 21, 20182:43PMMan stung by stonefish

“I DESCRIBE the pain as excruciating because the word comes from crucify, and that’s exactly what it was — there’s was no other way to describe it.”

That’s what Keven Renshaw said after he was stung by the most venomous fish in the world, the stonefish, The Gladstone Observer reports.

Mr Renshaw, originally from Ireland, and his partner Grace Scantlebury, from Rockhampton, were supposed to be on a relaxing weekend away at Bargara, east of Bundaberg.

But, a day into the getaway, disaster struck as the couple enjoyed the clear ocean waters of Seventeen Seventy.

“I thought a fish had bit me at first and I pulled my foot away,” Mr Renshaw said.

“But from the moment you’re bitten you know you’re in trouble.

“It was like a blunt puncture trauma, like some had hit you right in the soft tissue.”

Stonefish are common in Queensland.Source:istock

He was stung between his toes on his left foot as he walked in waist-high water along the beach.

“There were a few rocks on the beach but we never thought to watch out for stonefish,” he said.

The stonefish venom causes severe pain and swelling and can kill tissues, stop your arms and legs from functioning and put your body into shock.

In just 10 minutes, the 51-year-old said his pain went through the roof.

He said it felt like the webbing between his toes has been sliced.

“It went from a sharp painful thing to being excruciating,” he said.

“It was like hitting your toe with a hammer and then rubbing over it again and again with a nail file.

“I guess you have a lot of nerves down there.

“I’ve been through pain in the past where I’ve needed a screw in my skull and nothing compares to this.”

Keven Renshaw said it was the worst pain he has experienced.Source:Supplied

Mr Renshaw said he’d had a heart attack a few years ago and, as a nurse himself, he knew the venom wouldn’t be good for him, so sought immediate medical attention.

“The coughing started pretty quickly and I went downhill,” he said.

“I had three green whistles of painkillers and it didn’t do anything.

“The venom is not good for your heart, as it can set off an arrhythmia or fibrillation.”

Three green whistles didn’t do much to stem the pain.Source:Supplied

He said the pain radiated from his foot where the barb remained.

“I was trying to man up and be a man about it,” Mr Renshaw said.

“But you can see from the pictures, I couldn’t handle it.”

Five hours after he was stung Mr Renshaw was at Bundaberg Hospital where they eased the pain with anaesthetic. The following day he had surgery to remove the barb.

Mr Renshaw had to get the stonefish barb surgically removed.Source:Supplied

He praised emergency services and said he was well looked after by ambos and hospital staff.

Mr Renshaw said the message for beachgoers was to never take anything for granted.

“You always think it will never happen,” he said.

“But this broke me and it was such a struggle and brought me to tears.”

This article originally appeared on The Gladstone Observer and has been republished here with permission.

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First aid first: how to help your child

February 21, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

First Aid Training in Canberra. Excellent provider with great customer service. Free First Aid Training Manual.

Every parent has been there.

Your child has had a fall. Or they have a fever. Either way, it may be serious.

Or perhaps it isn’t – but you just can’t be sure.

So maybe you head straight to A&E.

Fevers and falls: the top reasons why parents visit A&E

British Red Cross research has found that two of the main reasons parents take their children to A&E are falls and fevers.

And over 40 per cent of parents said they brought their children to A&E because they were worried and didn’t know what to do.

The research also found that more than half of parents ask for advice before going to A&E. That’s where we can help.

Trying some #FirstAidFirst when a baby or child is ill or injured could help you find out what’s wrong. It can also help you relieve symptoms and know whether or not they need to go to hospital.

Our online first aid advice and baby and child first aid app provide clear, easy steps to follow whenever your little one is poorly or hurt.

Our first aid for baby and child course will give you further peace of mind.

And here is some simple first aid advice for fever and falls:

What to do when your baby or child has a fever

The British Red Cross is helping parents learn what to do if a baby or child has a fever with a new animated video.

The first thing to do is check the child’s temperature with a thermometer. If it is above 37°C, your child has a fever. They may have flushed skin and be sweating.
Reduce their temperature: remove excess clothing and give the baby or child a drink, such as water, diluted juice or their normal milk.
You can also give the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup.
If a child has a temperature above 39° – or above 38° for a baby less than six months old – seek medical advice.

What to do when your baby or child bumps their head

When children bump their head, they may be in pain and get a headache. There may also be a lump on the head and they may look pale.

Get the child to rest and put something cold on the injury. This could be frozen vegetables or a bag of ice wrapped in a tea towel.
If the child gets drowsy or vomits, or their symptoms get worse, seek medical advice.

What to do when your child has a sprain or strain

If your little one falls and twists an ankle or overstretches another part of the body, they may have a sprain or strain.

They may feel pain around the injury and it can start to swell. A bruise may also develop.

Get your child to rest the injured part of their body.
Put an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables on the injury for up to 10 minutes.
You can also give them the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup.
If their injury doesn’t improve, seek medical advice.

A&E is always there in an emergency

Your GP, pharmacist, walk-in centre or NHS 111 can also help when your child is hurt or ill.

But you can do a lot as well.

Try #FirstAidFirst before taking your child to A&E. It can help you find out what’s wrong so you’ll know what to do.

Maybe you’ll decide you don’t need to take your child to hospital after all.

Or maybe you’ll help them calm down and feel a little better for the trip to A&E.

Both are good news for you and your child.

So give yourself some peace of mind – try first aid first.

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Shortage of life-saving medicine terrifying parents

February 20, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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Managing my son’s food allergies has become more difficult as he’s gotten older.

No longer in my constant care, I can only hope that I have taught him enough to save his own life.

Philip, 13, was born with severe food allergies to egg and tree nuts. That means when he eats these foods his over-active immune system mistakenly thinks they are poison, and attempts to shut his airways to prevent them getting in, suffocating him in the process.

It’s called anaphylaxis, and it’s deadly.

The only way to stop the reaction is to administer a shot of adrenalin via an auto-injector.

In Australia, the only auto-injector available is called an Epipen which is produced by American big-pharma Mylan and distributed locally by Mylan Australia.

Except they’ve run out.

And allergy families are feeling real fear.

My daughter was allergic to milk for the first two years of her life but thankfully grew out of it. Philip, however, has grown out of some of his allergies, however those that remain have become worse.

Philip carries two EpiPens with him at all times. Image: Provided

As a teenager, Philip has learned to carry his life-saving medication with him everywhere. He straps an auto-injector pack to his leg wherever he goes. It carried two EpiPens.

Those pens expire in June.

For some allergy families, their EpiPens expire sooner, or already have done.

Maria Said from Anaphylaxis Australia told 9News there has been a series of problems with EpiPens since November 2017 when the EpiPen Junior ran out, and now the adult EpiPens have also run out.

Last March some EpiPens were recalled due to flaws in the product.

“There has been a role on of problems and this has caused some unrest and some anxiety,” she said. “We’re trying to support people through this.”

The only way to access life-saving adrenalin in the absence of an auto-injector is to call an ambulance however when it comes to food allergies, particularly the more severe anaphylaxis, an injection is needed in the first few moments of the reaction.

By the time the ambulance arrives, it’s often too late.

One in 20 Australian children are living with a food allergy and two in 100 adults. Image: Provided

But it’s not the fact Mylan is having trouble doing it’s job that is the real issue. It’s the fact they are the only provider of EpiPens in Australia.

Since when did it become a good idea for a lone big-pharma to be responsible for the manufacture and distribution of life-saving medication?

Since when did it become a good idea for any company to have a monopoly on a life-saving medication or device?

Two years ago a rival product called the Anapen attempted to launch in Australia and the news was music to my ears.

It was a better product, lasting two years instead of the one that an EpiPen does.

The company was never able to establish the Anapen in the Australian market or any market.

That has left allergy families at the mercy of Mylan and it could cost lives.

One in 20 Australian children are born with a deadly food allergy, according to current data, and two in 100 Australian adults are living with the deadly condition.

“First and foremost we have to get to the bottom root cause of why we’ve got this shortage and why these shortages keep happening.”

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved two alternate products but they aren’t available yet.

Pfizer is the company responsible for manufacturing EpiPen products and has released a statement blaming “manufacturing problems” for the shortages.

Not good enough.

This is the third problem with EpiPens supplies in the past seven months. Image: 9News

Allergy experts are telling allergy families to keep their expired EpiPens and use them as long as the adrenalin inside them isn’t discoloured. This can be observed through the observation window in the product.

Associate Professor of the Australian National Allergy Strategy, Richard Loh, told 9News that while using expired adrenaline is safe, it may not be as affective at treating an allergic reaction.

The TGA has been told new supplies of EpiPens will be available by February 23.

Let’s hope so.

What else can we do?

If you are concerned about the EpiPen shortage email me at [email protected]

To find out more contact Anaphylaxis Australia on 1300 728 000.

To learn how to use the epipen in a first aid course please book in to a training session in Dickson at www.canberrafirstaid.com

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Guard yourself against sudden cardiac arrest

February 19, 2018UncategorizedRyan Davis Philip

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Fluttering of your heart is not always a sign of love, nor is skipping of a beat. The fluttering could be a sign that you need to pay attention to your heart. So what if your health parameters are more or less fine, but if your heart is not beating right, it is reason enough to see a doctor. Arrhythmias, also called irregular heartbeats, fluttering, palpitations, and so on, can put you in grave danger, even causing a sudden cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, in India, we do not have a national registry for cardiac deaths, so it is difficult to predict the number of people dying due to SCDs. But a look at the macro factors removes any doubt whether Indians are at the brink of cardiac emergency. An India Spend research in the year 2016 showed cardiovascular diseases (CVD) kill 1.7 million Indians every year. What is abnormal beating of the heart?Our heart beats regularly and non-stop while we are alive. It keeps on pumping blood — even when we suffer a heart attack, the pumping of blood does not stop. Our normal heart-beating rhythm is around 60 to 100 beats per minute when the body is at rest.

The rhythm can vary if a person does some extra physical work, or is under the effect of some emotional or psychological stimulus. But arrhythmia is much different — it is the change in our normal heartbeat that is triggered by an alteration in the sequence of the electric impulses our heart receives.Vanita Arora, Director & head Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab & Arrhythmia Services, Max Super Specialty Hospital Palpitations triggering cardiac arrest When the heart is not functioning properly for a prolonged period of time, it gives rise to a situation that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest, which is different from a heart attack. A sudden cardiac arrest means that the heart has suddenly stopped functioning due to irregularity of electric impulses. A sudden cardiac arrest leads to almost instantaneous death. A person who is suffering from cardiac arrhythmia for a long time is at a high risk of cardiac arrest as the electric system of the person is not functioning properly. Some of the common symptoms of various forms of irregular heart eat include breathlessness, dizziness, fluttering in the chest or irregular heartbeats even in normal circumstances. Other symptoms include chest pain, palpitations, sweating, and confusion. In case the symptoms are detected, the patient should be taken to a cardiac specialist.A proper check-up from a cardiac electrophysiologist will help determine whether arrhythmia is dangerous or not. With due medications, increased physical activity, certain dietary changes, periodic monitoring of pulse, and managing risk factors can ensure a person continues to live with a healthy heart.

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