Here is a good first aid training article from Belfast. Make sure you get yourself in to a first aid training course in Canberra. We offer great first aid training courses at a cheap cost and we believe we offer an excellent session also. First aid training will give you the skills to save a life and you will be grateful you spent the money to save a family member in need.
22Precious life: it’s very important parents know what to do if their child falls unexpectedly ill
Although more than 60 children a year die due to accidents in the home, almost a quarter of parents admit they don’t have any baby or child first aid knowledge.
A new study shows 21% of mums and dads have been forced to give a child emergency first aid, but only 31% said they felt confident doing it.
Instead, 38% were terrified the child could die, 20% were worried they would be left injured, and 11% panicked and froze completely.
As a result, St John Ambulance and the parenting channel ChannelMum.com have teamed up to produce a new video first aid course that features vital first aid techniques and signs of common illnesses, plus tips from TV GP Dr Dawn Harper, and real-life experiences from mummy vloggers like Charlie O’Brien.
The seven-video series can be viewed at www.channelmum.com/topic/first-aid
Isobel Kearl, national training officer at St John Ambulance, says the videos are a great starting point for parent first aid and highlight how easy and quick it is to learn essential life-saving skills.
She stresses: “For parents looking to further their first aid knowledge, our basic first aid courses take between just three to six hours and give hands-on experience. Once parents know what they are doing, they have the confidence to take action quickly and are able to act if needed.”
The ChannelMum study found the most frightening first aid scenario for parents is choking, with 53% saying it was their biggest fear. Almost a quarter of parents have faced the reality of their child choking.
The next most alarming situation is a seizure – with 14% of parents reporting their child has had one – followed by a severe allergic reaction, experienced by one in 20. Meningitis was a very real fear for 6% of parents, and 16% have had to treat their child for a burn. In addition, almost one in 10 has given CPR to a child.
The survey of 2,000 adults showed becoming a parent was the biggest trigger for 55% of parents who wanted to improve first aid knowledge, compared to just 11% who went on to learn more first aid after having a serious accident themselves.
The poll also revealed 84% of parents attempt to childproof their home to reduce the risk of accidents. However, just 42% keep a first aid kit at home.
And while 82% of families ensure they keep medicines out of children’s reach, over a third (36%) admit they leave laundry items, which can be toxic, within children’s grasp, and 54% have yet to secure TVs to stop them falling. A further 43% don’t tie up blind cords, despite them being linked to several child deaths.
Parents correctly identified that one minute a day spent learning first aid and minimising risks can cut the chance of children having a serious accident or needing first aid.
Siobhan Freegard, founder of ChannelMum.com says: “Giving first aid to a baby or child can be frightening, but not as frightening as not knowing what to do.
“We want to reassure parents they can learn first aid basics quickly, and they could make all the difference if their child, or someone else’s, falls ill.”
Quick life-saving tips
CHOKING:
Always cut food lengthways.
If your child is choking, never poke inside their mouth as this could push the blockage further down.
BURNS
Any burn bigger than your child’s palm needs urgent medical attention.
Put burns into cold water for at least 10 minutes.
Cover in clingfilm to keep sterile before getting help.
ALLERGIES
Have antihistamines in your home.
Treat a rash with antihistamines.
Swollen lips or tongue? Get to the hospital.
SEIZURES
If your child has a seizure, place them gently on the floor and clear space around them.
If the seizure lasts more than two minutes, get medical help.
If your child has a seizure without a temperature, get medical help.
CPR
ABC – Airways, Breathing, Circulation.
Start with five rescue breaths, then 30 compressions/ two rescue breaths and repeat until help arrives or the child breathes.
MENINGITIS & SEPSIS
Don’t wait for the rash – learn the other signs including joint and limb pain, light sensitivity, blotchy pale skin, flu-like illness and cold hands and feet. Babies may have a high-pitched cry.
Be aware sepsis can happen from any infection, and signs include no wet nappy for 12 hours, vomiting, convulsions, feeling cold, not feeding and hard to wake.
FEVER
Under six months a fever is 38 degrees C. Over six months it’s 39 degrees C.
Never treat children with aspirin – check the medicine label.
Child not getting better after 72 hours? Get medical attention fast.
A not so great article from the UK, doctors are missing heart attacks. Make sure you are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack by attending a first aid course in Canberra. We provide first aid courses in the nations capital at a great rate. The first aid courses are fun yet challenging. We give allparticipants a free first aid course manual when you arrive.
PRESS ASSOCIATION 11:31AM March 1, 2017
One sixth of heart attack deaths in England might be the result of hospital doctors failing to spot potentially life threatening symptoms. The findings from a major study of almost 136,000 cases of fatal heart attack between 2006 and 2010 indicate that many patients are dying because of missed warning signs. Symptoms of a heart attack include sudden chest pain or a “crushing” sensation that might spread down either arm, while patients may also experience nausea or shortness of breath.
But some heart attacks have more subtle symptoms that can be overlooked. Of the fatal heart attack victims studied, 21,677 almost 16 per cent of the total had been admitted to hospital up to four weeks before their death. Yet no mention of heart attack symptoms was made in their hospital records.
Symptoms such as fainting, shortness of breath and chest pain would have been evident up to a month before death in some of these patients, said the researchers. Lead scientist Dr Perviz Asaria, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: “Doctors are very good at treating heart attacks when they are the main cause of admission, but we don’t do very well treating secondary heart attacks or at picking up subtle signs which might point to a heart attack death in the near future.”
The team examined records of 446,744 NHS hospital stays involving heart attacks between 2006 and 2010, as well as the history of all 135,950 heart attack deaths in England during the four years. The total number of patients who died included those who had a fatal heart attack in hospital or at home or elsewhere. Now the researchers, whose findings appear in The Lancet Public Health journal, are calling for a deeper investigation into why avoidable deaths were occurring. “We cannot yet say why these signs are being missed, which is why more detailed research must be conducted to make recommendations for change,” said co author Professor Majid Ezzati, also from Imperial’s School of Public Health. “This might include updated guidance for healthcare professionals, changes in clinical culture, or allowing doctors more time to examine patients and look at their previous records.”
Far out, great work by those that have obviously attended a first aid course in the recent past. That fast acting from the locals has saved this mans life. Our thoughts are with him and his family. We hope that you are prepared for any first aid course you attend and ready for any emergency you come across. Book in to a first aid course at your local provider now.
By Casey Briggs and staff Updated Sun 19 Feb 2017, 12:31am
The friends of a man who was bitten multiple times on the leg by a shark in waters off far north Queensland saved his life with their rapid first aid response, paramedics say. Cairns resident Glenn Dickson was spearfishing with three friends off Hinchinbrook Island, which lies east of Cardwell, when he was attacked about 10:30am. Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) spokesman Martin Taylor said the 25yearold suffered severe blood loss with multiple bites to his left femur and calf and lost consciousness. “The friends have immediately pulled him out of the water and applied emergency first aid,” Mr Taylor said. “They put a tourniquet up high and tight on his femur and stopped the subsequent bleeding which was quite significant. “The initial actions by the three friends have definitely saved this gentleman’s life.” QAS senior operations supervisor Neil Noble said one of the friends was an exnaval officer with medical training. “This is a really good case where simple first aid can absolutely save a life and that’s what happened,” he said. “This is really a remarkable story and it’s quite rare and we’re really pleased that this gentleman will very likely have a positive outcome.” Mr Dickson was brought to shore by a boat and treated by paramedics on a jetty before a rescue helicopter arrived to fly him to Cairns Hospital. He was met by family on the helipad before going into surgery. “They’re pleased, they realised how close to the wire this came,” Mr Noble said. Mr Dickon went into surgery in a critical but stable condition. It was believed he was bitten by either a bull shark or a tiger shark. Topics: shark, animalattacks, humaninterest, cardwell4849 First posted Sat 18 Feb 2017, 12:05p
I’m so happy this doesn’t happen in Australia very often. Our first aid providers have been in many emergency situations and have dealt extremely well. Book in to one of our first aid courses in Canberra so that you are trained and ready to bounce in to action if a first aid incident occurs. Canberra first aid courses every week.
A 13-year-old girl was taken to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Friday night after being hit by a vehicle in Langdon.
EMS said the vehicle that hit the girl left the scene. The teenager was flown to hospital by STARS Air Ambulance in serious but stable condition, with concern she suffered a head injury.
One of her classmates was nearby when the girl was hit and jumped in to help her out.
Nicolas Junor, 14, told Global News he completed his first-aid training a month ago through cadets.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever had to use my first aid. I took it a month ago. I was nervous and shocked and couldn’t stop shaking.”
Junor described how the girl landed after being hit, with half her body in some water and half in the ditch.
“She was flipped over head down.”
The boy said he covered her with a blanket.
“She was unconscious, having a seizure – didn’t look like broken bones. Road rash on her back, unresponsive, still breathing. I’m just praying and hope she gets better.”
According to EMS, the collision happened at Henderson Road and 4 Street N.E. just before 6 p.m.
Witnesses said it was light out at the time of the collision, and described the truck swerving at the girl and a friend before hitting them and driving off.
RCMP told Global News the vehicle is believed to have been a black truck, however, they do not know the make or model.
Police said the truck was last seen travelling east on Glenmore Trail.
We say it every first aid curse we run. I cant believe how many parents don’t do first aid courses in Canberra. Its basic life skills that will save your family members life. Book in today people. Do a first aid course in Canberra. Canberra First Aid and Training. First Aid is the best. First aid courses are better than any other activity you will do this year.
WHEN Amy Michelle and her family sat down for dinner they had no idea of the drama that would unfold.
As they ate their meal, a scary thing happened.
“My daughter choked and was unable to have an effective cough, and she turned blue,” Ms Michelle said.
“Somehow my brain clicked and I remembered my first aid training, requiring back and chest blows. Luckily I was able to clear her airway.”
Alyssa recovered but her mother decided to take her to the hospital for an assessment.
“The hospital said she was lucky and it was a good outcome,” Ms Michelle said.
The positive outcome was less about luck and more about training.
Ms Michelle moved to Casino a year ago from Melbourne. She trained as a registered nurse years ago and also did an essential first aid course recently which should be undertaken every two years.
She urged people to do a first aid course.
“You never know when something like this is going to occur. I’m just glad Alyssa is alive,” she said.
“If I didn’t have first aid knowledge, my daughter would be dead.”
Here is a good little article with lots of basic first aid procedures. Make sure you book in to a full first aid course though so that you can keep your accreditation up to date. First aid courses can deliver you with all of the skills that you need. In Canberra we feel that we train the best first aid courses so book in now.
HERE are the latest tips on how to treat the most common and serious medical conditions so you’ll know exactly what to do if one strikes.
BURN
“The number-one solution for a burn is 20 minutes under cool running water,” Peter LeCornu, national training manager at St John Ambulance Australia, says. “After that, cover it with a loose, non-stick dressing. If the burn is bigger than a 20-cent piece, see your doctor or a pharmacist. If it’s bigger than the palm of your hand, head straight to hospital.” Do not use ice or apply lotions, ointment or fat to the burn. If the burn is deep, seek urgent medical advice.
CANCER DIAGNOSIS
“If you’ve just received a cancer diagnosis, acknowledge that feeling a range of different emotions is normal,” Nicole Cook, clinical psychologist at Sydney’s MindFrame Psychology, says. “It can be quite overwhelming to think of all the ‘what ifs’, so try to stay in the moment. Discuss the diagnosis with whoever you feel most comfortable talking to. That could be friends and family or a counsellor. If someone close to you has received a cancer diagnosis, listen. It might not feel like much but it’s the best thing you can do.”
PANIC ATTACK
Picture: iStock
“Panic attacks can be overwhelming and scary,” Cook says. “The first thing is to remind yourself you’re not in danger and encourage calm thoughts. A panic attack will cause rapid, shallow breathing, so try to counter that with slow belly breathing. If panic attacks are happening often enough to significantly impact your life or cause debilitating fear, see a psychologist.”
CHOKING
“Give the person five sharp blows to the middle of their back using the heel of your hand. Failing that, give them five chest thrusts – stand next to them with the heel of one hand on the lower half of their sternum and one in the middle of their back and thrust,” LeCornu says. If a child is choking, use back blows. Don’t tip them upside down or put your fingers in their mouth or throat.
SUNBURN
“Prevention is always the best cure,” associate professor Chris Baker, president of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, says. “But if you get caught out and are suffering from mild sunburn, use a simple moisturiser, such as sorbolene, and a cold compress on the area. Simple is best when it comes to after-sun lotions, and I’d avoid anything that’s highly perfumed or has an anaesthetic agent in it.”
HEARTBURN
Picture: iStock
“Mild heartburn can often settle with a glass of milk and rest,” GP Dr Elizabeth Sturgiss says. “For anything more severe, use over-the-counter tablets or liquids.” If that fails, seek urgent medical advice to rule out a more serious issue.
FEVER
Picture: iStock
“A fever is considered temperatures above 38˚C,” Sturgiss explains. “If you have a fever for more than 48 hours or if paracetamol isn’t helping to bring it down, make an appointment to see your doctor. If, however, you have a fever as well as neck stiffness, difficulty with bright lights, a bruise-like rash, drowsiness or confusion, get to the hospital. Exercising to ‘sweat out a fever’ is a myth so don’t try it. Children with fevers should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.”
ALLERGIC REACTION
“The most common form of allergic reaction is hayfever, which can cause sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, and a runny or blocked nose,” Sturgiss says. “If you’re having these symptoms for the first time, see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Then, over-the-counter medicines and steroid nasal sprays will help relieve symptoms. An acute allergic reaction can be caused by a range of things and cause a number of different symptoms, from itchy rashes and sneezing right through to life-threatening airway swelling and breathing difficulties. If it’s a severe allergic reaction, call an ambulance and give the person first aid while you wait for it to arrive.”
DIARRHOEA
“Keep well hydrated by drinking a combination of water and electrolyte solutions frequently,” Sturgiss says. “It’s also important to rest. If you’ve had ongoing diarrhoea for 48 hours, it’s worthwhile visiting your GP. If you’re vomiting too, don’t leave it any longer than 12 hours before seeing a doctor.”
TICK BITE
Picture: iStock
“It’s crucial you get the whole tick out, so only try to remove it if you’ve got tick-removal forceps,” LeCornu advises. “With normal tweezers, it’s really easy to get the body out but you often leave the head behind. If you don’t have the right forceps, get to a doctor.”
SPRAIN
Picture: iStock
“The message is simple: R-I-C-E,” LeCornu says. “That is, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Sit down with an icepack on the area for 15 minutes every two hours for the first 24 hours. Also use a compression bandage on the area for at least 48 hours and elevate it for as long as you can.”
MIGRAINE
Picture: iStock
“Make sure it’s a migraine and not a bad headache, which can be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen,” Sturgiss says. “Migraines tend to be on one side of the head and they throb. The best thing for migraines is aspirin washed down with coffee. We think spasms in the brain vessels cause migraines, and the aspirin and coffee work together to dilate them and relieve the pain.”
FAINTING
“If someone blacks out with no warning, they should see a doctor immediately,” Sturgiss says. “But if someone feels they’re about to faint and then does, it’s less serious. Put them flat on their back on the floor with their feet up at a right angle. If they don’t wake in a few minutes, call an ambulance. If they do wake, keep them lying flat for 5-10 minutes and then ease them up gently. Have them sip some fluids. If they’re acting oddly or feeling unwell, call an ambulance.”
OPEN WOUND
“The first step is to put gloves on to reduce the risk of infection,” LeCornu says. “If the area is bleeding, stop it by applying pressure. Then use water or saline and sterile gauze to clean the area and get any nasties out. After that, apply a soft, dry dressing. If the wound can’t be cleaned or if there’s something stuck in there, that’s when you should head to the doctor.”
CONCUSSION
“Concussion is the result of a head injury so it always needs to be treated seriously,” LeCornu says. “I’d call an ambulance straight away and then keep the person lying down until the ambulance arrives.”
CONSTIPATION
“Increasing your fibre intake with more vegetables, whole fruit with the skin on and wholegrains, as well as upping water intake, should be the first step,” Sturgiss says. “Exercise also gets the bowels moving.” If that fails, see your doctor.
URINARY TRACT INFECTION
“Book in to see your doctor,” Sturgiss says. “While you’re waiting, keep your fluids up so your urine is almost clear – that will help flush the bugs through. You can also get effervescent drink sachets that will make your urine less acidic so it’s less painful.”
DEPRESSIVE EPISODE
“People who are depressed tend to think negatively and be self-critical so an easy tip is to ask yourself whether you’d talk to a friend in the same situation as you’re talking to yourself,” Cook says. “Writing your thoughts down and trying to challenge them can also help. So can exercise because it improves mood and sleep quality. Last of all, ask for help – it’s never too soon.”
CHEST PAIN
“Chest pain that lasts for a few seconds is something that should be followed up with your doctor,” Sturgiss says. “But if chest pain lasts more than a few minutes or comes with difficulty breathing, racing heart or feeling unwell, call an ambulance quickly.”
STOMACH ACHE
Picture: iStock
We’ve all had that queasy feeling but Sturgiss says, “Severe or persistent tummy pains should be discussed with your doctor, who will do a comprehensive assessment of your medical history and a physical examination. There’s no common remedy for a stomach ache and they can be caused by so many different things so it’s really important to get to the bottom of the cause.”
TOOTHACHE
Picture: iStock
“Even a mild toothache warrants a visit to your dentist,” Dr Gary Smith, president of the Australian Dental Association Queensland, says. “The most likely cause of a toothache is sensitivity, decay or a cavity, all of which need treatment. Other causes include fractures, gum disease and even things unrelated to the teeth such as sinus infections and heart disease. Have regular check-ups.”
ASTHMA ATTACK
“If a person is having an acute asthma attack, they will have difficulty breathing, trouble speaking and may even collapse,” Sturgiss says. “Help them use their puffers and call an ambulance. If someone has undiagnosed asthma and is experiencing wheezing, coughing or breathlessness when exercising, they should book in to see their GP. It’s also especially important for people with asthma to avoid cigarette smoke.”
* If you or someone else is in need of urgent medical help, call 000. For 24-hour health advice and info: Health Direct, 1800 022 022. For 24-hour mental health support: Lifeline, 13 11 14.
Make sure you get in to one of our famous first aid courses held in Canberra. We provide our students with nationally recognised certificates for all first aid courses attended. Our first aid courses are the best in Canberra and we offer a range of online learning before your practical training session. We look forward to seeing you and hope that yu read al of our first aid courses testimonials.
WHEN a red-bellied black snake is hungry, not even the world’s second-most-venomous land snake can escape the menu.
On Saturday Sean Shaw captured footage on his phone of a red-bellied black snake chasing down and digesting a brown snake on a dirt road near Myponga.
In the video the red-bellied black snake, with a more-than-handy size advantage, clamps down on the smaller reptile, injecting its venom.
The brown snake tries desperately to retaliate, but cannot penetrate the scales of its hunter, despite trying again and again.
Mr Shaw — who used to work for Adelaide Snake Catchers — said he first saw the red-bellied black chase the brown snake over the road as he drove past, and stopped to film the fight.
“After about a 20-minute tussle the red-bellied black snake eventually was able to swallow the brown snake,” he said.
The red-bellied black snake clamps down on the brown snake. Picture: Sean ShawThe brown snake tries to fight back. Picture: Sean Shaw
“The whole episode took maybe half an hour.
“When we left the brown snake was about half swallowed but (the red-bellied) seemed to have stalled!”
While shocking, snake catcher Corey Renton, from Snakeaway Services, says it’s not that uncommon.
“Red-bellies are actually reptile eaters,” Mr Renton said.
“Brown snakes much prefer rodents while red-bellies eat frogs and lizards, they live in dams and creeks naturally.”
Red-bellied black snakes are dangerous to humans but their bites are not usually life threatening.
We have students every week in our first aid course ask about blue bottle stings. these are one of the most common stings that occur especially in summer when everyone is at the beach. Please learn the correct first aid course techniques by attending one of our cheap but effective first aid courses. We complete our first aid courses at the Dickson Tradies.
A 15-year-old girl was stung in ten places by bluebottles last month, as ambulance bosses revealed more than one person a week was hospitalised by marine life across the northern beaches last year.
Bluebottles were the most common culprit, with 43 calls for ambulances due to the creatures including for the girl, who was injured on December 5.
Sophie Bowman 4 checking out the bluebottles on Fairlight Beach in 2014. Picture: Bradley Hunter
She was stung across her legs, hips and stomach at Manly.
Last February, a 25-year-old male was also taken to hospital after struggling to breathe at Narrabeen, after being stung.
Meanwhile, three people who were stung by jellyfish in 2016 called ambulances, one person was the victim of an octopus sting, while 29 people were stung by stingrays, which are notorious in Pittwater.
A bluebottle jellyfish. Picture: Kit Wise
There were four stingray cases on December 30 alone across NSW, including a 55-year-old man who was stung at Ku-ring-gai Chase.
There were no incidents involving sharks in the area, which covers Sydney Harbour Bridge to Palm Beach.
The figures are the highest overall out of Sydney’s four ambulance districts.
However, while bosses said bluebottles are a part of summer, brought in to beaches by northeast winds, stings should be taken seriously.
Manly Daily reader Kim De Kock’s image of Bluebottles at Little Manly
NSW Ambulance paramedic Matt Burke said: “Bluebottle stings can induce a potential anaphylactic or severe reaction in some people, particularly if there is any immune compromise.
“If you get a series of stings or if you get stung around the airway, you can get some swelling and some possible airway compromise.”
He said it was important to remove the affected person from the water and perform basic first aid as soon as possible, and call triple-0 if necessary.
The figures from across NSW show ocean bites and stings peaked in January and February.
Bluebottle washed on the beach. Picture: Regi Varghese
WHAT TO DO
Bluebottles Rinse area with seawater to remove remaining stings, place in hot water
Stingrays Place in hot water, control any bleeding with pressure; if the barb is embedded, do not remove it, but get to hospital
Blue-ringed octopus Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and get to hospital
Good fast thinking by the local on scene. Wasn’t needed but with the increase in children being locked in cars I can understand someone smashing the window. If you do need to complete cpr on someone it is great to have done the training. Book in to a first aid course in Canberra now with us at Canberra First Aid. Our first aid courses are excellent teaching you a range of first aid skills in a safe and relaxed environment.
Ben Guarino
A US police officer smashed a car window to rescue a baby, only to discover it was a doll. Photo: Roger Whiteway
Lieutenant Jason Short believed he was about to save a life.
A 911 call – someone had spotted a baby left alone in a car on a hot July day – prompted the US police officer to rush to the Walmart shopping plaza in Keene, New Hampshire. There, just as the call had said, he spied an infant in a car: a blanket, a bottle and finally two bare feet, motionless, emerging from beneath the fabric.
He drew his baton, smashed the window and saved the child.
Ainslie, the doll ‘rescued’ by police.
Something was wrong. He described the infant as appearing lifeless or dead. Short began administering CPR. It did not work. He called for an ambulance, and then he checked for an obstructed airway.
“And I went to put my finger in its mouth and it was all resistance,” he said to WMUR-TV. “And I’m like, ‘This is a doll.'” He called the ambulance again, to relay its services were no longer needed.
The doll, as it turned out, belonged to a Vermont resident named Carolynne Seiffert. That the figure was so realistic was not a mistake. Seiffert, whose 20-year-old son died in 2005 from Hunter’s disease, collects lifelike dolls as a form of coping with the loss. She owns about 40 of them.
Such dolls are known as reborn dolls, mimics of human babies in exquisite artificial detail. Many start out as regular, $30-a-pop toys, although the end product can fetch thousands of dollars. As The New York Times described in 2005, in the processes of “reborning” a doll the item is first dismantled, cleaned of paint and recoloured, “often using a blue that helps the artist achieve a realistically veiny look. Glass eyes may be substituted for the original plastic ones. Hair is removed and replaced, sometimes with hand-implanted mohair or even human hair. ” To simulate the weight of a real infant, the doll’s body cavity may be filled with pellets.
There is little medical research into the value of reborn dolls for grief. But columnist and psychiatrist Gail Saltz wrote at Today in 2008 that dolls may act as transitional objects, items that help overcome a sense of abandonment. “For some women, such a transitional object eases them into ways of finding more external methods of dealing with their needs of caretaking and loving a being who loves them back,” Saltz wrote. “It is the concretised fantasy of getting unconditional love.”
Seiffert, who named the $2,000 doll Ainsley, sent a statement to WMUR, saying that “I’ve been laughed at and embarrassed by all the fuss,” and, “You can’t know how people choose to deal with their losses in life.”
Keene Police Chief Brian Costa said he would pay the $300 to fix Seiffert’s window. He supported Officer Short’s actions.
“If all indications are that a baby is in a car in upward of well over 90-degree weather,” he said to the Union Leader, officers will break car windows. This is not the first time emergency responders have broken car windows to save what turned out to be dolls; police recommend that such items are left in car trunks so as to be completely out of view, or taken with their owners.
Being left alone in a parked car can be dangerous to young children. By the last week of July 2016, 21 children, many younger than 2, died of heat exposure after being left unattended in a car in the US. The annual average is 37 deaths.
“I would never assume that it’s a doll,” Short said to WMUR. “I would always assume that it’s a child. I would never do anything different.”
Seiffert said she will affix a sign to her car, to warn other would-be rescuers to leave her windows unbroken as Ainsley is not real.
Since Christmas Day in NSW, four children aged under five have drowned – three in pools and one in a fish pond.
SLSQ Academy Operations Manager, Ken Clark, said while prompt calls to triple zero are “wonderful”, CPR from a knowledgeable bystander could save lives.
“The first four to eight minutes are crucial,” he said.
Mr Clark said it’s often after a tragedy that people wish they had the skills to perform CPR.
“People say “oh I wish I had done that class, I’ve been wanting to for ages but never got around to it’,” he said.
Part of the benefit of CPR training, Mr Clark said, is that it gives people the confidence to help out in the case of an emergency – a skill all backyard pool owners should have.
“What it does do is it gives you the skills to be a first aider – in your mind, you say ‘I can do this’,” he said.
“Any attempt at resuscitation is better than no attempt but there’s nothing like practice, so good CPR is even better.”
While proper pool fencing and a secure gate is also vital to prevent backyard drownings, Mr Clark emphasised that parents must still watch their kids.
“You’ve got to supervise the kids,” he said.
“But teaching them to swim is the first thing.”
The drownings have prompted calls for swimming lessons to be mandatory in all Australian primary schools.
In an opinion piece for Fairfax Media, YMCA NSW chief executive Leisa Hart said all Australian kids “deserve the skills to survive”.
“Astonishingly, it’s thought that three out of five Australian children leave primary school without basic swimming skills,” Ms Hart said.
Ms Hart said the government, schools, Surf Life Saving Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia and other organisations need to work together to teach children water safety.
For Certain! Every pool owner needs to have completed CPR in a first aid course. It costs minimal and it will save your family members life. Make sure you book in early to our first aid course as we are booking out around 1 week before course dates now. Our first aid course is excellent. Our first aid course is cheap. Our first aid course is the best in Canberra. Boo in to our first aid course now.
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