Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics Latest Blog – Page 13 – First Aid, CPR, EMR Training Canadian Red Cross Training Partner

Can You Do CPR on Someone Having a Heart Attack?

IN THIS BLOG

How Do Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attacks Differ?
Heart Disease is a Leading Cause of Death in Canada
What does CPR do?
How CPR helps during a Heart Attack

When to Abstain from Performing CPR?
Survival Rates for Heart Attack After Performing CPR
Find a CPR Training Course Near You

IN THIS BLOG

Despite being a relatively new technique, CPR is most effective when it is performed as soon as possible following cardiac arrest. In many situations, it doubles or even triples the chances of survival when done promptly after cardiac arrest.

You can only perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on someone who is not breathing and has no pulse. Therefore, as long as the person having the heart attack is breathing and alert, there is no need to perform CPR. Knowing the difference between a heart attack, cardiac arrest, and other medical emergencies can help you make the right decision about performing CPR.

Whatever the emergency, call medical help and perform the necessary procedures. However, the question remains: Can you do CPR on someone having a heart attack?

How Do Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attacks Differ?

Cardiac arrest can differ from heart attacks in more ways than one. When a person is experiencing a heart attack, the blocked artery prevents the oxygen rich blood flow to the heart. Usually, these people can continue to breathe and talk and won’t require CPR, however they must seek immediate medical treatment at a hospital. However, someone experiencing a heart attack has an increased risk of a sudden cardiac arrest. During a cardiac arrest, the heart undergoes an electrical malfunction which leads to irregular heartbeat. If the victim loses consciousness and is not breathing, then it is important to start CPR.

Learn how to help someone having a heart attack

Learn and prepare your skills to assist a victim of heart attack as you complete the course with us. Call our toll-free number to know more.

Heart Disease is a Leading Cause of Death in Canada

According to data from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS), heart disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in Canada despite declining rates. Heart disease affects about 2.6 million Canadian adults over 20 years and over and is twice more likely to affect men than women.

What does CPR do?

CPR is the emergency procedure that can save a person’s life when their heart stops and they aren’t breathing (cardiac arrest).

During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping the blood required by other organs to function. This means that your organs are not receiving oxygen. When organs, especially the brain and lungs, don’t get oxygen from the blood, it takes just a few minutes before the patient dies.

The chest compressions and breaths used during CPR mimic the heart pumps and help keep oxygenated blood flowing to all the organs.

How CPR Helps during a Heart Attack

Performing CPR helps to keep the blood flowing throughout the body, ensuring the person’s vital organs get their crucial oxygen supply until emergency help arrives. Ideally, someone with the proper training should perform the procedure. These are the basic steps for performing CPR on someone who has no pulse or breaths:

Call for emergency services like 911
Check for breathing
Make sure the area is safe
Place the person on a firm and flat surface on their back
Open their airways and start CPR by pressing rapidly (2 chest compressions per second with both hands)
If you know how to use the AED, then attach it to see if it allows you to deliver the shock
Perform CPR if the AED advises against the shock
Finally, get a person to help you if you feel tired
CPR on small children and infants differs because of their size

When to Abstain from Performing CPR?

CPR training allows you to recognize when to perform CPR or abstain from it.

Don’t ever perform CPR when someone having a heart attack has a steady heartbeat and remains alert because it can harm the heart. Instead, call the paramedics and wait with the person until they arrive at the scene.

Additionally, if you perform CPR on a person with no breathing or pulse, immediately stop if they show signs of life, including opening their eyes or breathing regularly. Keep an eye on the person, and if their heart stops beating again, restart the CPR.

Survival Rates for Heart Attack After Performing CPR

Data from a 2020 analysis of 141 studies indicate that the survival rate of people receiving CPR for a heart attack has increased. However, it remains below 50 percent, and the average 1-year survival rate of people who had CPR remained at 13.3% between 2010 and 2019. According to the American Heart Association, when CPR is performed moments after going into cardiac arrest, the patient’s chances of survival double or triple than if you wait for treatment paramedics to arrive.

Find a CPR Training Course Near You

CPR is an invaluable skill that is easy to learn and perform because it can help you to save a life. CPR training classes make it easier to learn how to perform the procedure correctly. Across Canada, First Aid course is a comprehensive guide that covers all the concepts for CPR training required in the workplace. Still, many people take the course to learn the correct procedure for any heart attack or cardiac arrest emergency in the home or when they are out and about.

Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics provides WSIB-approved Canadian Red Cross CPR training and certification in several areas of Greater Ontario, Eastern, and Western Ontario. Register today for a CPR training or increase your knowledge and complete a Standard First Aid & CPR training. We can’t wait to teach you important life-saving skills!

Register for First Aid & CPR Training

Choose from any of our locations across Ontario and gain the knowledge and skills to save a life!

Do You Need a Babysitting Certificate to Babysit?

A woman in a green shirt smiles while helping a child with braided hair and a top bun, who is writing with a pencil. They are sitting at a table with papers and a blue bag nearby. The setting appears to be an indoor educational environment.

Does your monthly allowance last the entire month for you? Have you ever considered kick-starting your career as a babysitter to earn money? Running a small babysitting business requires more than just the right babysitting skills and knowledge of first aid. However, you may be wondering, do you need a babysitting certificate to babysit?

First Aid for Insect Bites and Stings

IN THIS BLOG

What Type of Insects Should We be Concerned about in Ontario?
What are the Symptoms of an Insect Bite or Sting?

How to Provide First Aid for Insect Bites and Stings
Get Trained as a First Aider

IN THIS BLOG

What Type of Insects Should We be Concerned about in Ontario?
What are the Symptoms of an Insect Bite or Sting?
How to Provide First Aid for Insect Bites and Stings
Get Trained as a First Aider

The end of summer may be approaching, however Canada’s insects do not seem to be bothered by the weather just yet. For most people, now is a great time to go explore the wilderness this country has to offer. No matter where you choose to go for your next adventure, insects will find a way to adapt and survive in almost any environment and protect their territories, whether it’s in the water, in the mountains, or even in your backyard.

The swarming of insects is aggravating for most people, but insect bites could be a major concern for those with severe allergies. Insects don’t tend to attack someone unless they have been bothered by them directly. In this blog, we’ll discuss first aid for insect bites and stings.

What Type of Insects Should We be Concerned About in Ontario?

Insect and spider bites often cause minor swelling, redness, pain, and itching. These mild reactions are common. They may last from a few hours to a few days. Mild reactions from stinging or biting spiders and insects, such as fleas, flies, and mosquitoes, can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter medications.

Mosquitoes

A mosquito’s bites commonly result in a red, swollen lump on the skin. This can be painful and cause considerable itching. The majority of people infected with the viruses carried by mosquitoes experience either no symptoms or mild ones, such as a fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue. However, viruses such as malaria, west nile or zika can cause severe life threatening conditions such as paralysis or even coma.

Fleas & Flies

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects with a hard, gleaming surface that jump about. The majority of human flea bites cause only minor discomfort, which may be relieved by household treatment methods such as non-prescription cortisone cream.

The signs and symptoms of flea bites might include the following:

Zigzag lines on areas such as the feet, legs, and waist.
Intense itching.
A single hive or wheal.
Reddish spots that last even after other symptoms go away in people who aren’t very sensitive to them.
Blisters or open sores in people who are highly sensitive to flea bites.

Flies are known to make numerous bites in the same regions of the body. The size of the bite does not always indicate what type of fly bit a person. A tiny fly might give rise to a severe, inflamed bite. Swelling, itching, redness, and a tiny but apparent hole in the middle of a bite-like swelling are all signs that a fly has bitten you.

The symptoms of a fly bite can vary depending on the insect. Doctors understand that black fly bites can cause lymph node swelling, for example. Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to a fly’s sting. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include dizziness and weakness. Breathing difficulties or edema (swelling) in various parts of the body might begin to develop.

Bees, Wasps, Hornets

Bee and wasp stings are extremely painful, but they don’t transmit disease. Most people who have severe allergic reactions keep an EpiPen on hand, but for the majority of us, we just have to deal with the initial painful sting and wash out the area as quickly as possible. If your allergic reaction is minimal, you can take an allergy medication such as Benadryl.

Spider Bites

Although spiders can not be categorized as an insect, it is likely to be bitten by one under certain circumstances. While the majority of spider bites are not poisonous and only result in side effects like red skin, swelling, and pain around where the bite occurred, some other spider bites can pose a real risk.

If you experience any adverse reaction to a spider bite, such as difficulty breathing, swallowing, or swelling of the face, seek medical attention immediately. It can be tricky to realize that someone has been bitten by a venomous spider because the signs and symptoms are often indistinguishable from other medical conditions. The only definitive way for a First Aider to know for sure is if they saw the event happen. If you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, watch for signs and symptoms of a severe reaction. These can include nausea, vomiting, and joint pain within 72 hours of the bite.

Ticks

Ticks can be harmful because they may transmit disease. Black-legged ticks, formerly known as deer ticks, might transmit Lyme disease, and dog ticks can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lyme disease is an ailment that humans contract from the bite of a deer tick. Contrary to popular belief, people who are infected with Lyme disease may not experience symptoms immediately after they are bitten. It is critical that people with Lyme disease receive a timely diagnosis, since most patients respond well to antibiotics.

Learn how to Provide First Aid for Bites

Enroll in a Standard First Aid & CPR training course to learn how to prevent and care for insect stings and bites! Call our toll-free number to begin your registration.

What are the Symptoms of an Insect Bite or Sting?

Being aware of the symptoms helps you know when you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect. Some individuals do not notice the insect and may not become aware of a bite or sting until one or more of the following symptoms appear:

Aching, burning, or numbness in the affected area
swelling
rash can cause redness
The affected area or muscles may experience pain.
itching

The following are some of the most serious symptoms of a severe reaction that necessitates immediate medical treatment:

fever
loss of consciousness
difficulty breathing
nausea or vomiting
muscle spasms
rapid heartbeat

If you’re concerned about an insect bite and have flu-like symptoms the next few days, get examined by a doctor for tests to confirm whether you have an infection or disease that was transferred from the insect.

How to Provide First Aid for Insect Bites and Stings

First aid treatment may vary depending on the type of bite or sting. Typically, less severe bites and stings from mosquitoes, flies, spiders and bees can be treated with allergy medication and an ice pack to reduce swelling. Avoid scratching the area to increase healing speed. After a few days, the bite should reduce, but it is important to keep an eye on it to ensure it does not get worse.

First Aid for Bee Stings

In the cases of a bee sting, though, we suggest to do the following:

Remove the stinger if it’s still stuck in the person’s skin by scraping it away with a plastic card (such as a debit card).
Rinse the area with clean water.
Apply an adhesive bandage to the affected area.
Use ice or a cold pack to reduce swelling. Put a cloth between the ice and the person’s skin so you don’t accidentally freeze the skin.
To avoid infection, allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis, keep an eye out for any signs of these conditions.
Immediately call EMS/911 for medical assistance during severe reactions.

An epinephrine injection (EpiPen) is an adrenaline shot that helps control the severity of a severe allergic reaction, otherwise known as anaphylaxis. The EpiPen injection can be given to most people without medical assistance on the outer thigh, even if they are wearing clothing. Unless there is a first responder, anyone with the required training may assist them in giving adrenaline to assist save a life during an emergency caused by an allergic reaction.

First Aid for Spider Bites

To treat a non-venomous spider bite:

Rinse the region with water.
If the person has no documented allergies or sensitivities, apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound.
To help relieve pain and swelling, apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin, dry towel.

If you’ve been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse spider, take the following steps:

Call 911 if you believe the person was bit by a black widow or brown recluse spider.
Thoroughly rinse the area with water.
Apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin, dry towel to reduce swelling

First Aid for Tick Bites

Brush the tick away if you discover it on the skin; grasp the head of the tick with tweezers or a tick removal key if it has burrowed into the skin. If you are able to remove the tick, be sure to wash the area well with soap and water. If you cannot remove the tick completely, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Lyme disease is usually transmitted from the bite of a small deer tick that carries the bacterium. Although not every bite infected with this bacteria causes Lyme disease, it is important to carefully evaluate any bites since early detection and treatment are essential for preventing serious medical complications.

Get Trained as a First Aider

There are only a handful of species of venomous or poisonous insects but it is important to understand how to care for you or a loved one regardless of what bites. Some people have extreme reactions to bug bites or stings, including anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening. Don’t let insects ruin whatever is left off summer- learn how to prevent bites and provide the best first aid to deal with them!

Our Standard First Aid training at Coast2Coast covers the training needed to assist in a variety of emergencies, including insect stings and bites. Complete your training in an all-in-class format! With this course, you will learn how to provide aid through hands-on experience. Pick your location and sign up today!

Register for First Aid & CPR Training

Choose from any of our locations across Ontario and gain the knowledge and skills to save a life!

How to Stop a Nosebleed

A child with braided hair and a small amount of blood from her nose sits calmly as an adult gently wipes her face with a tissue. She is wearing a pink shirt and appears to be indoors.

A bleed from the nose is not usually a sign of a severe problem, but it can be pretty frightening. Doctors call nosebleeds epistaxis, which refers to a nosebleed from one or both nostrils. It is usual for a nose to bleed for anything between one and fifteen minutes, and the flow can either be light or heavy. Frequent nosebleeds can indicate a problem and lead to anemia if not controlled.

Is it Difficult to Become a Private Investigator in Ontario?

A person with long hair is sitting inside a car, holding a camera with a large lens, focusing on an out-of-focus couple walking on the sidewalk. The scene is captured through the open car window.

Generally, in Canada, the most challenging part of becoming a private investigator (PI) is getting a license for the province you want to become a PI. Otherwise, the process in Ontario is more straightforward than you might think.

What Can You Use as a Splint?

A man in a red shirt and white sneakers sits on an indoor sports court, holding his knee in pain. A colorful soccer ball is nearby. The blurred background suggests a gym or sports hall setting.

With the onset of summer and the increased number of outdoor activities, the probability of getting injured also increases. If you have injured a bone or joint, then splinting it may help. When dealing with such conditions, provide pain relief to the injured region using splints.

How to Know When Someone Needs CPR

A group of six people sits on chairs, attentively watching an instructor demonstrate CPR on a mannequin. They are wearing gloves, and an automated external defibrillator is placed nearby on the floor.

CPR is one of the most essential life-saving skills that can help someone survive if they have stopped breathing after cardiac arrest or an accident. However, a lack of knowledge is debilitating during an emergency because it can prove harmful.

How to Help Someone With Anxiety

A diverse group of five people sit in a circle, engaged in conversation. They are seated on light blue chairs in a bright room with a gray brick wall and framed photos in the background. A potted plant partially obscures the view.

It is normal and healthy for all of us to have some anxiety, but when it becomes excessive, it can be a problem. In small amounts, stress is beneficial because it keeps us alert to threats and dangers. People with severe anxiety need help and support because they may not be able to control their thoughts and fears, causing them to spin out of control.

Choosing the Right First Aid Course in the GTA

WSIB Approved
Choose Coast2Coast for Your Training

IN THIS BLOG

Different Levels of First Aid Training
Different Training Providers
WSIB Approved
Choose Coast2Coast for Your Training

There are several reasons why everyone in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) should consider taking a First Aid course. The first one is if it is a requirement for their work or school. However, First Aid is also important for everyone because the knowledge & skills obtained may help save the life of someone in an emergency in the future.

The first aid course has two levels which are Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid. We recommend our students complete Standard First Aid as it focuses on practicing the skills and polishing the knowledge through hand on practice as compared to Emergency First Aid. This blog will guide you in choosing the right first aid course in the GTA.

Learn more about First Aid Courses in GTA

Enroll in the right first aid course for your career in GTA! Call our toll-free number to begin your registration.

Different Levels of First Aid Training

There are several reasons why someone will decide to take First Aid & CPR training in the GTA. Emergency and Standard First Aid are the two most popular First Aid levels. The main differences between the two courses are the time it takes to complete the training and how extensive the learning experience gets in each of the courses.

Most workplaces and schools state what level of training is required, but someone may want to do the course as they prepare to become a parent, caregiver, or to help someone in an emergency. Read on to find out the essential differences in First Aid training and choose the right course.

Which First Aid training is Right For You?

People requiring First Aid training should always verify which course is required before registering. Let’s discuss our most popular First Aid & CPR training courses:

Standard First Aid & CPR/AED

Standard First Aid CPR/AED training complies with the provincial workplace regulations of several careers. With this online blended course, there are two sections, and it includes a 7-8 hour online section and 8 hours of in-class training.

In addition to the online blended training format, there is also the traditional course which requires two days of in-class training. Participants learn all the skills to confidently help victims of life-threatening and non-life-threatening emergencies from accidents and illnesses.

At Coast2Coast, we combine Standard First Aid with CPR level C to ensure participants can provide CPR to adults, children, and infants.

Depending on the workplace, WSIB in Ontario may recommend employees complete Standard First Aid & CPR/AED. The requirement includes some employees at provincial and municipal levels with workplaces that have more than five employees per shift or floor. Employers must ensure that enough employees have the Standard First Aid training so that someone with the training is available at all times during work hours.

Some of the occupations requiring Standard First Aid & CPR/AED training include professionals and scholars in the following fields:

Daycare employees
All police and border control
Firefighters
Ski-patrol and lifeguards
Employees in personal support, babysitting, childcare, youth groups, and special needs persons
Construction workers
Healthcare workers, nursing students, and pharmacists

Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED

Some jobs just require Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED training. WSIB in Ontario recommends it for some workplaces and individuals that require less intense First Aid training. Once again, it’s necessary for employers to make sure that the requirements laid down by the WSIB Regulation 1101 must be met at all times. This includes having access to a First Aid Kit and employees depending on the size of the organization being first aid certified. It is essential that everyone checks with their school or job before registering.

Training for Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED varies according to the level chosen but is more or less an eight-hour course. Participants can choose an all-in-class course or the online, blended course.

These occupations usually need an Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED certificate:

Staff at recreational facilities and community centers
Taxi drivers
Provincial and municipal drivers
Councilors and youth workers
Parks and Recreation staff
Coaches and instructors
Technicians working in medical labs

Different Training Providers

The proper training and approval are vital in First Aid training. Coast2Coast is a Canadian Red Cross and Heart & Stroke training partner. The top-notch professional instructors also provide medical students with the following Heart & Stroke training:

Basic Life Support
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS) training

WSIB Approved

It is essential that First Aid training for the workplace in Ontario is WSIB approved. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board ensures all workplaces practice the required health and safety standards, and the board provides liability coverage for employees. Employers cover the fund entirely.

Choose Coast2Coast for Your Training

Choosing the right First Aid course in the GTA is easier than you think. Coast2Coast, a Canadian Red Cross training partner and WSIB approved First Aid training provider, offers several courses, making it easy to find the First Aid training required for any career in the province. Based in the GTA of Ontario, Coast2Coast makes it easy to register and participate in its First Aid courses provided by only experienced instructors.

Always be prepared to save a life, get certified today!

Register for First Aid & CPR Training

Choose from any of our locations across Ontario and gain the knowledge and skills to save a life!

What You Must Know About Opioid Overdoses

A person lies unconscious on the wooden floor, with an outstretched arm and scattered white pills near an overturned brown bottle. They are wearing a white shirt, and a crumpled tissue is nearby.

Over time, reliance on opioid usage has increased in Canada. Figures from responses to a Canadian Community Health Survey in 2018 show that 13% of Canadians reported using opioids the previous year, and 9.6% of them used it in ways that could harm their health.