A pulse oximeter is a device used to estimate the amount of oxygen in the body.  Simply put, a pulse oximeter measures how much light haemoglobin absorbs in your blood. It does this using two different...

Here’s our roundup of the best first aid courses and first aid training available in Sydney. All of these first aid training providers will supply a certificate with each course.  Our free online first...

In this first aid blog post we discuss two important heat related conditions – heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion normally happens gradually. Working in high temperatures, medication and drugs (for...

In this first aid blog post we discuss the first aid for falls in elderly patients. While less than ten per cent of falls result in fractures, accidents are the fifth leading cause of...

‘Pneumo’ means air (as in pneumatic) and ‘thorax’ means chest, so pneumothorax simply means ‘air in the chest’. However it is not air in the normal anatomy of the air passages, but air in...

Croup Croup is an acute inflammation of the larynx and upper part of the trachea and is otherwise known as acute laryngotracheitis. Features of croup Croup is a viral illness. It affects children between the...

Hypovolaemic circulatory shock is a clinical state in which blood supply to the body’s tissues is rendered inadequate by loss of blood, fluid or the loss of plasma in burns. It may be caused...

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can both occur in patients who have diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin (known as ‘Type 1 Diabetes’) or the...

Some first aiders and first responders are trained to take a blood pressure using electronic or manual methods. In this blog post we discuss Blood Pressure and its relevance for first aiders. Blood pressure...

Showing videos during first aid training is a great way to make first aid classes more fun and interactive! Videos also help highlight some key first aid points such as the importance of early...

Abdominal emergencies usually present with abdominal pain in association with other signs and symptoms. Even in hospitals with a wide range of diagnostic facilities it can be difficult to rapidly assess and diagnose an...

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an essential first aid skill which everyone should know. Online CPR courses are a great way to learn this skill. CPR is used to help victims of a cardiac arrest...

Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the membranes (also called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by a viral, bacterial or rarely a fungal infection.  Whether meningitis is mild or life-threatening...

When conducting physical examinations and head to toe surveys the acronym DCAP-BTLS can help in your discovery of injuries. Although not everyone likes acronyms, DCAP-BTLS is a useful way to structure your thinking when...