ALMOST 500 people have died in boating and watercraft accidents in Australian waterways in the past decade, prompting safety warnings as the mercury soars and holidays near.

The Royal Life Saving Society’s 10-year research report shows that, out of the 473 deaths in the past decade, 435 of them, or 92 per cent, were men. Thirty-five of the deaths were recorded in South Australia.

The report showed that high-risk behaviour such as not wearing life jackets, alcohol consumption and drug use were the main contributing factors to boating and watercraft-related drownings.

Surf Life Saving SA chief executive Clare Harris said simple things like having a charged mobile phone to call for help, wearing the appropriate safety gear and staying sober when on the water were all basic safety measures.

“The statistics indicate that males are more likely to overestimate their ability and underestimate the risk involved in aquatic recreation,” Ms Harris said.

“Life-threatening emergencies can happen anywhere and anytime. We often hear stories of how trained Surf Life Savers have assisted with first aid or performed CPR away from the beach.

“With thousands of trained Surf Life Savers in the community, we know their impact extends way beyond the coast line.”

Jesse Sciancalepore, 19, of North Haven, is among the Surf Life Savers who will be on hand this summer to help keep water lovers safe.

While he’s hoping he doesn’t need to be frequently called on for rescues, he knows the importance of first-aid training after saving a woman’s life last month on an Outer Harbor train with only two weeks of training behind him.

“I was on my way home from uni on the train. I was two weeks into my bronze medallion training so I wasn’t qualified yet, and one of the girls who was sitting on the seat in front of me just blacked out and fell on the floor,” Mr Sciancalepore said.
“Her heart rate and breathing almost came to a complete stop so I had to start CPR on her for about four minutes, until we sat her up and waited for the ambulance.”

Now a member of the North Haven Surf Life Saving Club, Sciancalepore started his first shift last week and has also been nominated for a Save of the Month award.

Its amazing how many people drown in a country that is an island. Make sure you stay safe this summer by learning to swim and taking notice of the red and yellow flags on our beaches. Also book yourself into a first aid course with Canberra First aid so that you are trained if a drowning takes place near you. Doing a first aid course can greatly affect the chances of survival when you arrive at an emergency. Book into a course now.

Published on October 31, 2016 at 9:03 AM · No Comments

Harriet Alexander
Published: October 25, 2016 – 6:18PM

Janelle Williams knew nothing about allergies or anaphylaxis when she walked into her doctor’s practice five years ago, covered in hives, eyes swollen shut and struggling to breathe.

She certainly didn’t connect her predicament to the meat she had eaten the night before or the ticks that had bitten her in the grass around her Freshwater home.

The surgery was in panic mode, her GP was yelling for somebody to call an ambulance, and she wondered briefly who was in trouble.

Then she realised it was her.

“I’d never had an allergic reaction before, no hay fever, nothing,” Ms Williams said.

“I was totally naive when I started having breathing problems how quickly it could escalate to your throat closing.”

An allergy test six weeks later would reveal an insidious culprit in mammalian meat, which extended not just to beef, lamb and pork, but products made with animal products such as dairy, wine and fruit juice, as well as gel tablets, toothpaste, bandaids and tampons.

“There’s just a whole range – you have no idea. I had to basically clean out my entire house.”

Two months ago, she went into anaphylaxis after breathing in the fumes of beef served in a plane.

Mammalian meat is one of many strange allergens that have surfaced in recent decades, but its even more bizarre trigger – tick bites – could hold the key to a cure.

Mammalian meat allergy has become more common since it was first reported in the Journal of Internal Medicine in 2007, and nowhere more so than the eastern seaboard of Australia.

In the tick endemic areas of the Sydney basin it is a more common food allergy than peanut allergy, with one in 550 people developing the condition in the northern metropolitan region.

Tick-induced Allergies Research and Awareness Centre immunologist Sheryl van Nunen made the connection between ticks and meat after noticing a trend of people admitted to hospital overnight with anaphylaxis, who developed reactions to the molecule alpha-gal in prick tests and had recently been bitten by the parasite.

She hopes that the cause-and-effect relationship between tick bites and a meat allergy could hold valuable clues to the causes of allergies generally.

“There’s no other allergy as far as food goes where we know why you became allergic to it,” Associate Professor van Nunen said.

“So we’ve got an unparalleled opportunity for both primary and secondary prevention of mammalian meat allergy.”

Alpha-gal is a combination sugar molecule found in all mammals apart from humans and old apes, but it is harmless when introduced orally because people have learnt to be tolerant to it.

But when it is injected into a human with the saliva of a tick that has picked it up from a mammal such as a deer, kangaroo or bandicoot, the body detects it as a foreign substance.

In some people, this process seems to reprogram their immune systems to detect the alpha-gal as an enemy the next time they meet it at the end of their fork.

Some research has shown that the number of bandicoot sightings has increased since fox baiting was permitted in 2003, which Associate Professor van Nunen points out was around the time that meat allergy started to be notified.

Some people lose the allergy after a few years if they have no further tick bites, but in others it appears to get worse.

The best prevention is to wear long clothes and insect repellent and avoid being bitten at all. If you are bitten, the tick should be removed with wart freeze rather than disturbed, which is when it releases its saliva.

It should not be squeezed or removed with tweezers, Associate Professor van Nunen said.

Shelley Peat’s daughter, Ella Bennett, was one of the first people in whom meat allergy was linked to tick bites.

Now 16, she developed the allergy when she was four, while attending a preschool on the northern beaches where ticks were plentiful.

“The last time she went to that preschool she would have had 100 ticks on her body,” Ms Peat said.

“I told the preschool they needed to do something about it and they said, ‘Oh, we’ve got lavender around the property’.”

Recently Ella’s allergy seemed to worsen – she has developed a reaction to barbecue fumes – but it has reduced in Ms Peat’s son, Kobi Bennett, 14, who thinks he is now clear.

“But he’s unwilling to have a bite of bacon.”

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/east-coast-meat-allergy-phenomenon-linked-to-tick-bites-20161025-gsa51n.html

Yes that’s right ticks are one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis. We will teach you all about anaphylaxis in one of our first aid courses in Canberra. We go over not only the treatment but the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis first aid course and also the information behind anaphylaxis. We run our first aid courses in a relaxedness environment where everyone gets the opportunity to practice the skills and also ask lots of questions. Book in now to a first aid course with us Canberra First Aid.

The 2016 World Mental Health Day theme ‘Dignity in mental health – psychological and mental health first aid for all’ provides an opportunity for us to focus on mental health needs and psychosocial support for individuals and families and how they can get the right help in crisis. The World Health Organisation defines mental health as the state of well-being in which individuals actualise life potentials and abilities, cope with stress of life, work productively and fruitfully make contributions to the community. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Mental illnesses are serious disorders that can affect your thinking, mood, and behaviour. There are many causes of mental disorders; gene, biological functioning and environmental factors. Your genes and family history may play a role. For example, your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, traumatic life events may also matter. Mental disorders are common, have preventable measures but treatments are available.

Stigma is a key problem for individuals with mental illness, as it may prevent them from seeking treatment and contribute to negative interactions with friends, peers, employers, landlords and law enforcement. Thus, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness may be a critical step in prevention and early intervention for mental disorders and may improve the quality of life of individuals with mental illness.

Part of the problem is that people don’t know the signs and symptoms of mental illness, which can result in years of needless suffering. But the bigger issue is that even when we do suspect that something is amiss, the stigma of mental illness often prevents us from telling our stories. This needs to change so that everyone can get the help they need to thrive.

Kenya joins the globe to mark mental health day But the roots of stigma run deep in our society, and they feed on fear and ignorance like social cultural beliefs, as mental disorders were often thought to reflect the unhappiness of the gods, or serve as proof that someone was possessed by demons.

Recent research indicates that Mental, Neurological and Substance (MNS) use disorders lifetime prevalence is 25 per cent, which translates to 1 in every 4 people will suffer from MNS at some point in their life time. It is estimated  20-40 per cent of patients seen in primary care have one or more mental disorders with projection that the burden of mental, neurological and substance use disorders will be 15 per cent of the total Disability Adjusted Life Years in 2020, higher than the 12 per cent in 2000. This enormous burden to the healthcare system and socio-economic development puts mental health into sharp focus and the time to act is now.

As a government, we want to play our part to revitalise mental health systems and services, while also changing the conversation about mental health for the better. In order to change our nation’s mindset around the mind, we need to start talking about mental health.

The task before us now is fourfold. First, is mental health promotion and fitness. Second we must help people understand the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses and substance-use disorders. Third, we must shatter the stigma that prevents people from seeking treatment. Fourth, we must create more effective prevention and treatment resources and embed them in the places where we live, work, worship and learn. Mental illness does not discriminate. It can strike anyone at any time. Fortunately, recovery is possible. Treatment works, but only if a person can get it. As we continue to work to reform our health care system, we cannot overlook the importance of including mental health care in the equation. One of my personal goals as Cabinet Secretary for Health is to work toward better integration of mental health services into the rest of medical care.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/article/2000223522/it-s-time-to-talk-about-mental-health

its at this time of year when most of us are aging a great time with friends and family, however some people aren’t enjoying things a special much. There aren’t a large amount of Australians living with mental health problems and we need to help them. Please spread the word that there is First Aid courses out there for mental health and many places and people to talk to. First aid is not only about the physical aspects but also first aid of the mental side of life. We are hoping to start running mental health first aid courses in the future. 

Andrew WU
Published: October 24, 2016 – 6:36PM

Cricket Australia are looking at installing sensors in helmets to help them gauge the impact of hits to the head as part of measures aimed at increasing the understanding of concussion in the game.

CA are in preliminary talks with several IT companies as they look to develop the technology but though the concept is still in its early stages there could be a finished product in two years, said the organisation’s sports medicine and sports science manager Alex Kountouris.

The development comes after NSW pair Daniel Hughes and Nic Maddinson were both ruled out of domestic matches after hits to the head in a one-day elimination final on Friday. While Hughes missed the final, Maddinson played after passing a concussion test on the eve of the game but suffered delayed symptoms during the match forcing him out of the Blues’ opening Sheffield Shield game this week.

While players, including Test captain Steve Smith, have been very supportive of CA’s introduction of concussion subs this season for the Big Bash and domestic one-day competition, there are no provisions for a concussed player to be replaced during a shield game as it would lose first-class status. If last Friday’s game was a shield match, NSW would have finished the game with only nine fit players.

Kountouris said it was difficult to prevent situations such as Maddinson’s but they were  conducting research to help better predict what type of head knocks led to discussion. Part of this will be the possible introduction of sensors in helmets to measure how hard a player has been struck and transmit the information wirelessly to an app.

“Maybe there’s a cut-off if they adsorb X amount of force, that’s when a concussion comes in,” Kountouris told Fairfax Media.

Kountouris said testing, both in the lab and with players, was required to understand the “complexities” around sensors and the data transmitted.

“How much force goes through when they’re running between wickets, ducking a bouncer, playing a forward defensive – the head’s moving back and forward. We have to understand what the normal forces are.

“There’s a lot to learn but we’ve started to look down that path.

“They’re trialling it in other sports. I don’t know if anyone’s done it well yet. We’re speaking to anyone who wants to speak to us. We haven’t seen anything that will work in cricket right now but we’re certainly looking whatever there is.

“Sensors are small these days,it’s not like a big GPS unit, you can fit them into a helmet and people won’t even know they’re there.”

CA is reviewing footage of every incident where a player is struck on the head, regardless of whether there is concussion, in a bid to find trends. How a player responds on impact – such as whether they collapse, kneel or wobble – is noted and combined with observations of the on-field doctor.

“We put that all together and look for a pattern if a concussion is likely to happen,” Kountouris said.

“It will be better in a year or two – we need to see quite a few of them to see a pattern. Otherwise you see one or two and think that looks a hard knock and resulted in a delayed concussion but five others might have it and not get one.”

Kountouris said the only way to guarantee no player took to the field with delayed symptoms of concussion would be to rule out any player struck but that was impractical.

“We’re going to be leaving people out when they’re not concussed. We need to get that balance right. We want the game to be as safe as possible but we also want to be able to play and not hold people back.”

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/concussion-in-sport-cricket-australia-looking-at-sensors-in-helmets-to-measure-force-of-hits-to-head-20161024-gs98o7.html

With concussion in sport becoming a major issue this might be a good device to test what force is resulted. Make sure if you are helping coach a sports team that you have completed your first aid training with a reputable company that can answer all of your questions on the day. At Canberra first aid training we can make sure you leave our course with all of the first aid skills that you will need. 2016 courses aren’t now fully booked out but if you are looking for a great Xmas present then let us know and we can organise a booking for that friend or family member that will save your life.

Updated 10 Jun 2015, 10:53am

PHOTO: The cone snail’s venom can paralyse fish and even kill humans. (Flickr: Phil Camill)

A crew member on a tourist boat has been stung by a cone snail on Whitsunday Island off north Queensland, causing his respiratory system to start shutting down.

The 25-year-old was walking barefoot in shallow water near Whitehaven Beach when the cone snail’s harpoon pierced his skin about midday on Tuesday.

Considering the incoming tide, there was only a small window for the man to be flown to hospital, RACQ CQ Rescue crewman Ethan Clissold said.

The pilot managed to land on a narrow patch of sand at Tongue Bay and the patient was brought to the helicopter by an inflatable boat.

“If we had any delays in getting him on the helicopter so the medical team could stabilise and administer pain relief, we would have needed to rethink our landing strategy, wasting precious time in the process,” Mr Clissold said.

The man was taken to the Mackay Base Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Aside from the pain, cone snail’s venom can, in severe cases, cause muscle paralysis, vision impairment, respiratory failure, and can be fatal.

Few know its full effect with just 36 people dying from the unassuming killer in the past 90 years, University of Queensland chemistry professor David Craik said.

The cone snail has a proboscis that hangs out like a lure to attract fish, which are then harpooned.

At the end of the proboscis they have a hollow tooth, through which the venom is injected.

The venom is designed to paralyse, however not much is needed for it to kill fish, or humans.

In the case of the tour crew member, Dr Craik said the venom would have blocked his nerve impulses that control muscles associated with breathing.

“The fatal dose of the venom could be as little as two milligrams for a 70 kilogram adult so that’s comparable sort of toxicity to what you get with some snakes,” he said.

“It is a pretty deadly venom and if you’re unlucky enough to have a decent amount injected then potentially the consequences could be fatal.”

PHOTO: The incapacitated boat crew member was flown to Mackay. (Supplied: RACQ CQ Rescue)

Phil Nguyen calls them black-belt heroes. He credits, in part, the taekwondo training of a group of men at a Kanata martial arts academy with their ability to act quickly, calmly and effectively on Saturday to save a life.

“They had the presence of mind to understand the gravity of the situation, the self-control to stay calm and the courage and strength to take action. To me, they are black-belt heroes.”

Saturday was to have been a day of celebration at the Black Belt Excellence: Kanata Martial Arts Academy run by Nguyen, known as Master Phil. Close to 100 members of the dojang and their families were gathered to watch members test for black belts and to celebrate. But something went seriously wrong during one of those tests.

Robert Pizzuto was sparring with a 51-year-old partner. Both men were testing for their second-degree black belts.

Suddenly, his sparring partner started to drop. Pizzuto said he thought the man was fainting, so he helped him down to the ground. But when he noticed the man’s ear lobe was turning blue, he knew he wasn’t breathing and he began chest compressions while another member of the academy checked his breathing. Pizzuto, who works at Statistics Canada, had taken CPR training through work.

Meanwhile, another member of the academy called 911 and was told there was a defibrillator nearby. Another man ran, barefoot, across the parking lot to retrieve the defibrillator from a nearby community centre. Marko Strojanovski and Steven Duford made up the other half of the “black-belt heroes” group.

By the time paramedics were loading the patient into an ambulance, he was arguing with them that he was fine and didn’t need to go to the hospital. He underwent a procedure at the Heart Institute on Saturday night and is now recovering.

After the ambulance left, Nguyen said he turned to Steven Leu, operations superintendent with the Ottawa Paramedics Service, and said: “This was supposed to be a day of celebration.” Nguyen said he was feeling despondent. But Leu replied: “It is a day of celebration. When we arrive at these sites, the outcome is not always positive. You guys did exactly what you had to do.”

Leu calls the incident a textbook case of the “chain of survival” working properly.”This is the way the system is supposed to work.”

By the time paramedics arrived, the man who had collapsed in front of a crowd at the dojang was breathing and starting to regain consciousness.

Paramedics originally reported that he had suffered from cardiac arrest, which has a survival rate of only five per cent outside the hospital. Nguyen said Sunday he had been told he had a heart attack.

Still, bystander intervention, training and access to defibrillators increases survival rates significantly.

Saturday’s incident was an excellent illustration of what happens when the key elements of what is known as the chain of survival work, said Leu. They include: early notification of 911, early bystander CPR, early defibrillation and early paramedic care.

“It took a village to save a man’s life,” said Nguyen.

On Sunday, some of those involved in the rescue gathered at the martial arts academy. Many were still shaken.

During the rescue, Nguyen said, some of the bystanders were in tears. He and the rescuers had to stay calm. But on Sunday morning, he said, he cried when he thought about how close it had been.

“I now know what a hero is. It is someone who is extremely scared, but still does what has to be done. You don’t feel like heroes — none of us does. We were scared, and still feel very vulnerable and very grateful.”

Pizzuto, meanwhile, said he has a new appreciation for the importance of portable automated external defibrillators, and thinks every gym should have one. He said he will push for the dojang to get one “even if I have to raise the funds myself.”

The City of Ottawa maintains a database of publicly accessible defibrillators. When 911 receives a call about a cardiac emergency, the closest available defibrillator is identified. The public can register their defibrillators on the database at 613-580-2424 ext. 22454.

Please remember that this article is taken from America and in Australia our Emergency services number is 000. It is very common in society now that people are attending a first aid course for work. We have found that a majority of our students are attending our first aid course due to work. We love having all students attend and our first aid course and we are proud to be owned and operated in Canberra. We look forward to you booking it to one of our first aid course shortly.