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A man from East Grinstead has expressed his support for a scheme to improve first aid awareness after he was miraculously brought back to life when he collapsed at a gym.

Steve Morris, 62, collapsed while exercising in February 2015 at the King Centre Gym and is only here today because of the properly trained staff at the centre.

He had a cardiac arrest whilst using the treadmill and doesn’t remember what happened next.

Two members of staff at the gym, one of whom was a defibrillator trainer at the premises, performed CPR and gave him one shock with the gym’s defibrillator which incredibly re-established his heartbeat.

He was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery to have two stents fitted. He’s now made a full recovery and is campaigning for more defibrillators to be made available in public places.

Steve, who was formerly a St John Ambulance Community First Responder, is supporting their new C.A.R.E campaign to improve cardiac aid awareness.

He said: “I’m backing St John Ambulance’s campaign, because, put simply, I’m here today because someone knew how to do CPR and use a defibrillator, which was on site.

“It’s so important that people are aware of this life saving equipment, and have the confidence to use it in an emergency.”

With 80 per cent of out of hospital cardiac arrests occurring at home, the first aid charity has announced the launch of its C.A.R.E for a Heart campaign – four steps to learn in advance, to give you and your loved ones the best chance of survival.

Up to seven out of 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest could survive if they are treated with a defibrillator inside the first five minutes.

However, half of people in the South East have no idea where their nearest life saving equipment is, according to new research by St John Ambulance.

The shocking statistic is revealed as the first aid charity warns that despite more than 30,000 people experiencing cardiac arrests every year in the UK, we are lagging way behind countries all over the world when it comes to knowing how to treat them.

St John Ambulance regional director, Elizabeth Harper, said: “Our research shows that while most people have some awareness of defibrillators, we still have a long way to go in educating people about what they need to do in a cardiac emergency.

“Home is where the heart is, it’s also where the majority of cardiac arrests happen, outside of hospital, which means it’s more likely to be our friends, family – or even ourselves – who need first aid in this life or death moment.

“None of us want to find ourselves in a situation where we couldn’t save a loved one’s life, any more than we’d want them to stand by helpless if we suffered a cardiac arrest.

“That’s why we are urging everybody to learn the four simple steps of C.A.R.E today; so that if the worst happens tomorrow, we can all act quickly and confidently, especially when every second counts.”

First Aid Training in Canberra. Cheap first aid course. Excellent Trainers. Good CBD Location. Check our website for more at www.canberrafirstaid.com

When you get a cut, you might say a few expletives because it hurts, freak out because, ugh, blood, or both. Then, of course, comes figuring out how to stop the bleeding ASAP. First aid to the rescue.

Not only will a few first aid techniques help stop a cut from bleeding, they’ll ensure your wound is clean and ready to heal as well as possible (this is key in preventing infection). Here’s what you need to know.

When you get a cut, your body immediately kicks into overdrive to try to stop the bleeding (but it may need a little help).

It does this via coagulation, aka the process of forming a blood clot, Joshua Russell, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care, tells SELF. (This is a normal mechanism, not like a blood clot that can form in the veins of your legs and, if it travels to your lungs, can put your life at risk.) In this complex process known as a coagulation cascade, an enzyme in your blood called thrombin allows a protein called fibrinogen to form a net-like structure that hardens and contracts. Coupled with platelets, which are components of your blood that plug up broken blood vessels, this helps to form a blood clot.

That’s usually how it works, anyway—there are some exceptions. Medications like aspirin can thin the blood, and health conditions like hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) can mess with the clotting mechanism in your body. This can all make it harder than usual to stop a cut’s bleeding on your own.

Your first step after you get a cut depends on how big the gash is.

If you nicked your finger while slicing up some tomatoes or cut yourself while shaving, you’ll want to first wash your hands to avoid infecting the wound, says the Mayo Clinic. Then, grab a paper towel, gauze, or tissue, and use it to apply pressure to the area to try to get the bleeding to stop, Matthew Kippenhan, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, tells SELF. Pressure on the wound helps to slow blood flow, which allows your body to more easily form a clot. The bleeding should stop or slow down significantly within a few minutes.

After that, you can gently run water over the wound and wash the area—not the wound itself—with soap. Apply an antibiotic cream to further avoid infection. Next up, you should cover the cut with a Band-Aid or gauze and tape (you should change this once a day, per the Mayo Clinic). This helps to protect it from outside germs or re-opening.

If you have a larger cut, the method is slightly different. “For larger cuts, stopping the bleeding immediately becomes a priority because it is possible to lose a significant amount of blood relatively quickly,” Dr. Russell says. That’s why he recommends applying direct, focused pressure on the site of the bleeding for at least 10 minutes to try to get it to stop. It can take several minutes before a stable clot begins to form, and using direct pressure on a wound will prevent significant blood loss in the meantime, he explains.

Once the bleeding has stopped, run tap water over the wound, wash around the area with soap (and clean hands!), then apply an antibiotic cream and a bandage, Dr. Kippenhan says.

In either scenario, you should get a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in five years and the wound is dirty or deep.

Some parts of your body are going to bleed more than others, so don’t automatically get nervous if you see a lot of blood.

If you got what seems like a pretty minor cut on your shin, but it seems like it’s taking forever for the bleeding to stop, don’t panic.

“The amount of bleeding is determined by the blood flow to the area and the pressure in those blood vessels,” says Dr. Russell. Bleeding from your lower extremities, like your shins and ankles, can be pretty severe because gravity causes blood to pool in veins of the legs, he explains. And a cut on your head is likely to bleed a fair amount, just because it has a lot of blood vessels, Dr. Kippenhan says.

While cuts are often not a huge deal, there are some distinct signs you should head to the emergency room or otherwise get medical attention ASAP.

Those include seeing bone, muscle, or any similar structure, and having a cut that’s big enough to worry you, Brett Etchebarne, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Michigan State University, tells SELF. Also, seek medical attention immediately if your blood is spurting instead of flowing normally, or if you haven’t stopped bleeding profusely even though you’ve gone through the above steps. These are all signs that you may need stitches to help close the wound or even surgery to repair internal damage.

It’s also a good idea to have a doctor look at any large cut over a joint (like your knee) since moving that joint could reopen the wound and cause issues with healing, Dr. Kippenhan says. Again, you might need stitches to make sure it can heal properly.

Another red flag is if you notice that you’re having any numbness or tingling after your injury. That could be a sign you cut an important nerve and didn’t realize it, Dr. Etchebarne says, so you know the drill: It’s time to see a doctor. Same goes for if you’ve noticed any signs of infection, like warmth, redness, or increasing pain.

Ultimately, if you have a cut and you’re not sure if you should get it checked out, call your doctor. Every cut is different, and they can help guide you on next steps.

That’s why paramedics are urging locals and travellers to take precautions when heading out this festive season.

“Preparation is key for these situations,” said critical care paramedic Neil Noble.

“Finding out that you need a first aid kit when you’re on the other side of Chillagoe is probably not the best time.

“Make sure you’re prepared, make sure you have a first aid kit that has everything you need and make sure you have people around who know how to use it.”

He said people often travelled to remote areas alone, which was dangerous.

“If you’re going to go out remotely, please have someone with you so that if you get injured someone else can call triple-0,” he said.

“You’d be surprised how many tourists come here and don’t realise that it’s not 911 here, it’s triple-0.

“The good thing is that even if you do dial 911 it does come through to us anyway.”

Mr Noble said anyone bitten by an animal should stay where they are, have first aid administered and call triple-0 for specialist help from paramedics.

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THIS Queensland woman got a particularly nasty kind of Christmas surprise, I’m sure a first aid course voucher would have been a better gift. It doesn’t get much more Australian than this.

Snake bite first aid course.

BEFORE you suggest that everyone loves a surprise on Christmas Day, spare a thought for this Queensland woman.

A Sunshine Coast resident was shocked to find a small but deadly snake lurking at the front of her house.

Shared on the Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers Facebook page, the post explained the unique Aussie discovery.

“A Caloundra resident got their Christmas present a little early this afternoon when she came home to find this Juvenile Red-bellied Black Snake curled up on her thongs at the front door … does it get any more Australian then (sic) that?” the post read.

As the black-coloured snake blended perfectly with the dark thongs, many commenters said they were stunned at how well the creature was able to match its host.

“I didn’t even see the snake! Blended so well with the pattern on the thongs,” wrote one user.

“I too had to look again after reading it,” added another.

Other commenters were quick to make light of the situation.

“Looks like a new antitheft device,” one wrote.

“Best antitheft device ever,” added another.

Killer Christmas presentSource:Supplied

SNAKE TIPS:

■ Leave it alone — snakes are not likely to chase you if you let them be.

■ If you see a snake inside, get all humans and pets out of the room, shut the door, fill the gap underneath with a towel and call a professional snake catcher.

■ If you see a snake outside, call a snake catcher if it disappears into a shed or under a vehicle.

■ Remember that even small snakes can be dangerous — baby brown snakes have venom right from the egg.

■ Stick to the trails in parks and reserves.

■ Keep your yard clear of long grass and rubbish.

■ Clean up after chooks and control rodents on your property as rats and mice are food for snakes.

Complete a first aid course to learn snake bite first aid. Check upcoming dates at www.canberrafirstaid.com

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A popular Sydney northern beaches playground is having an influx of snakes — and it has become so bad that parents are concerned it is only a matter of time before a child gets bitten.

Bryn Kay
Manly DailyDECEMBER 20, 20176:43PM

Stacey Mitchell with her two children and (insets) two snakes that have been spotted next to the playground. Picture: Joel CarrettSource:The Daily Telegraph

A POPULAR northern beaches children’s playground is having an influx of snakes.

It has become so bad that parents are concerned it is only a matter of time before a child gets bitten by a snake at Warriewood Valley Rocket Park.

A suspected red-bellied black snake near the playground. Picture: Supplied
A suspected red-bellied black snake near the playground. Picture: SuppliedSource:The Daily Telegraph

Warriewood mum Stacey Mitchell said she was reluctant to take her two young boys to the park.

“It’s more of a fear now,” she said. “You don’t mind seeing one in their natural habitat but when you start seeing more and more … you start to get worried.”

A diamond python near the playground. Picture: Supplied
A diamond python near the playground. Picture: SuppliedSource:The Daily Telegraph

In the past two months, Mrs Mitchell said, she was aware of up to 20 snakes lurking in and around the playground.

She said a popular northern beaches Facebook group had new sightings posted every two or three days.

Diamond pythons, eastern brown snakes and red-bellied black snakes were among the species.

Mrs Mitchell urged Northern Beaches Council to take precautions so risk was minimised for children and pets.

A diamond python near the playground. Picture: Supplied
A diamond python near the playground. Picture: SuppliedSource:The Daily Telegraph

“There are so many young children in the (Warriewood) valley now,” she said.

“What will it take? A young child to be hospitalised before the council says, ‘We’d better do something’.”

Mrs Mitchell has suggested the council put up warning signs around the park, which included a phone number to call if people saw a snake or were bitten. She also recommended the council should look at ways to rehome the snakes.

Another mother — who lives near the park and said her dog had been killed by a snake — backed calls for more signage. She also wanted to see overgrown grass surrounding the park cleared.

Council general manager of environment and infrastructure Ben Taylor said staff had been on site at Rocket Park and were reviewing the maintenance of areas around the park to discourage potential snake movement.

A diamond python near the playground. Picture: Supplied
A diamond python near the playground. Picture: SuppliedSource:The Daily Telegraph

“While snakes are a natural part of our environment, we urge residents to exercise caution and stay safe outdoors this summer,” he said.

Taronga Zoo reptile keeper Josh Hatton said location (the park is next to wetlands), warmer weather and the recent breeding season for snakes would have created the influx.

If you see a snake phone the council, 1300 434 434; WIRES, 1300 094 737; or Sydney Wildlife, 9413 4300

Incidents involving venomous creatures including snakes, spiders and marine animals caused 41,521 hospitalisations in Australia between 2001-2013, but it seems many of us are not confident in providing first aid in an emergency.

A survey conducted by Seqirus — which produces a range of antivenoms against Australia’s most venomous snakes, spiders and marine animals on behalf of the Australian Government — found nearly half of Australians were unsure or not confident about what to do if they, or someone they were with, fell victim to a venomous bite or sting.

A free smartphone app — Australian Bites and Stings: First Aid Guide to Australian Venomous Creatures — has been launched to equip people with accurate first-aid information.

Associate Professor Bill Nimorakiotakis, from Epworth Richmond Emergency Department, says it could save lives.

The app includes a new function that provides users with information on which venomous creatures are most relevant to their geolocation

Assoc Prof Nimorakiotakis said Tasmania’s island status meant it was isolated from some of the nasties found on the mainland.

But he said there were still many creatures here whose bites and stings can cause pain or even death — particularly among those who are allergic to their venom.

“It is all about being prepared and knowing what species pose a risk and what first aid can be given to save lives,” Assoc Prof Nimorakiotakis said.

“We want people to go bushwalking and enjoy the outdoors — particularly in Tasmania which is so beautiful — but we also want them to know what to do if they are bitten or stung.”

In Tasmania, people need to watch out for tiger snakes, jack jumpers, spikes on some fish, ticks, sharks and a number of biting insects including bees and redback spiders.

In some cases, where allergies are present, a bite from a jack jumper, bee or a wasp can prove fatal.

“When a patient is allergic, the ermegency become much more serious and anaphalaxic management is needed,” St John Ambulance CEO Roxy Cowie said.

“Luckily today many people who know they are allergic to certain species’ stings carry an epi-pen.

“We also encourage Tasmanians to carry a snake bite bandage when they are out and about. It enables you to wrap the affected area tightly until you reach emergency care. It really does save lives.”

Assoc Prof Nimorakiotakis said the most important thing to remember when bitten by a tiger snake was to not panic.

“In 50 per cent of snake bite cases people receive a warning bite which does not contain any venom. But where there is venom restricting the patient’s movement is very important.

“We need to look to what the Aborigines did and that is to immobilise the victim because movement spreads venom through the system faster.

“Compress the wound tightly and then seek emergency help.”

He encouraged Tasmanians to brush up on their first-aid skills and take advantage of the new Australian Bites and Stings App.

“It is an easy-to-use resource and should be a summer essential for everyone,” he said.

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A Year 10 pupil at Caister Academy practices CPR. Photo: ECCH

This countdown of those we count on will focus on a different person or individual every day up until Christmas, celebrating our healthcare heroes.

Simon Drewett, specialist trainer at East Coast Community Healthcare

Specialist trainer Simon Drewett says the best thing about his job is knowing more lives could be saved because of the first aid skills he shares.

Simon is part of the training and development team at East Coast Community Healthcare which was set up to share knowledge within the organisation and beyond.

Mum Sarah Ollett practices techniques to stop a baby from choking . Photo: ECCH

Clinicians and staff from the James Paget Hospital, Norwich City Council, GP surgeries and care homes across Norfolk and Waveney have all attended courses, as well as members of the general public. Subjects range from safeguarding and falls prevention to management training and customer care, all provided by staff who work in the relevant field of practice.

Just last month Simon was working with Year 10 pupils from Caister Academy teaching them what to do if they witness someone having a heart attack or severe allergic reaction.

The academy was the first to take part in the free sessions offered to all high schools in the area. Students learned how to recognise signs of cardiac arrest or choking, resuscitation methods for adults and children, use of a defibrillator and how to recognise and treat anaphylaxis.

In the summer Simon provided more free training to new parents in Lowestoft and Waveney teaching them what to do if a baby starts to choke. He taught them the correct procedure for clearing an airway as well as how to recognise when a child stops breathing and administer infant resuscitation techniques.

Simon said: “I love my job. First aid training really can save lives and giving these skills to other people is so important. You never know when you might need to use them. If you witness a cardiac arrest, or a child choking, and don’t know what to do, the chances of the victim surviving are severely reduced, so I like to think my job helps other people save lives even before medical staff arrive on the scene.”

A Department of Health study has shown that more than 1,000 lives could be saved each year in England if more members of the public were trained in CPR. The survival rate drops by around 10pc for every minute’s delay in providing defibrillation.

See Canberra First Aid Training for more information.