Australia is home to some of the world’s most venomous snakes, making snake bites a significant concern. With thousands of snake bites reported annually, knowing how to respond can be the difference between life and death. In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly what you should and shouldn’t do if you’re bitten by a snake.
Asthma affects over 2.7 million Australians, making it one of the country’s most common chronic conditions. For those living with asthma, having a clear and effective management strategy is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This is where an asthma action plan comes into play—a vital tool that outlines how to manage asthma.
Severe bleeding can be life-threatening and requires immediate first aid intervention. Understanding how to manage such emergencies is crucial for anyone, from healthcare professionals and first responders to everyday individuals.
Daffodil Day, celebrated annually on the 22nd of August, is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a symbol of hope and resilience for those affected by cancer. Understanding the impact of cancer in Australia, the significance of Daffodil Day, and how you can support those affected by cancer.
As we navigate through 2024, the landscape of COVID-19 continues to evolve, with new strains emerging and spreading across the globe. Australia is not immune to these developments, and it is crucial for businesses and individuals to stay informed about the latest COVID-19 strains. In this article we will discuss the current status of new strains of COVID-19 in Australia.
In today’s fast-paced world, being prepared for any situation is crucial, especially for menstruating individuals who often face unexpected menstrual emergencies. LFA First Response now offers a new EcoFemme Hygiene Kit for menstruating individuals in places like mines, schools, and workplaces.
Winter is approaching, and with it comes an increase in colds and flus circulating in workplaces and the broader community. One particularly common symptom of these illnesses is a sore throat. Understanding the different potential causes of a sore throat can help you manage and mitigate this discomfort more effectively during the colder months.
Heart Rhythm Week is a vital initiative aimed at increasing awareness about heart arrhythmias, their causes, and the importance of monitoring heart rhythms. In this article we will delve into what heart arrhythmias are, their causes, and types, and offer practical advice on how to check your heart rhythm.
Food allergies are a prevalent condition, affecting approximately 5 million Australians, according to the Centre for Food Allergy Research. During the upcoming Food Allergy Week (May 26th to June 1). Understanding what food allergies are, how they differ from food intolerances, and how they can be effectively managed is crucial, not just for the individuals affected but for anyone responsible for their care.
Australia boasts some of the most beautiful outdoor environments in the world, from pristine beaches to expansive outbacks. However, it also has one of the highest rates of skin cancer globally. The Australian sun, while a source of enjoyment and vitamin D, poses significant risks if adequate precautions aren’t taken. Understanding the risks associated with UV exposure and taking proactive measures like using sunscreen are crucial for skin cancer prevention.
In the dynamic world of sport, where the thrill of competition meets the physical demands on athletes, the unexpected risk of injury is ever-present. This month’s blog aims to equip sports coaches, trainers, athletes, and participants with the knowledge necessary to manage sports injuries efficiently, while emphasising the critical role of first aid in sports settings.
Immunisation is an incredibly important defence in the global health landscape, a simple yet profoundly effective tool in the fight against infectious diseases. This blog post aims to shed light on the importance of immunisation, dispel common myths, and illustrate how LFA First Response contributes to this global effort.
In today’s educational landscape in Australia, the safety and well-being of students are paramount, especially when it comes to managing allergies in schools. This blog aims to serve as a comprehensive guide on how to create safe learning spaces that accommodate all students, particularly those at risk of anaphylaxis.
In a world where health awareness is more vital than ever, understanding chronic conditions like Type 1 diabetes becomes imperative. This blog aims to clarify the complexities of Type 1 diabetes, distinguishing it from Type 2 diabetes, and encouraging our readers to rally behind the impactful Jump to Cure Diabetes initiative in 2024.
Swimming is a valued part of physical education in Australia, not only for its health benefits but also for teaching vital life skills such as swimming proficiency and water safety awareness. This month’s blog aims to explore the critical importance of first aid in swimming, particularly within Australian schools, and highlights the necessity of having the right medical and first aid supplies.
In the face of an escalating environmental crisis, the healthcare industry is under scrutiny for its role in contributing to global waste and pollution. The production and disposal of medical waste pose significant challenges, not just for the sector but for the planet as a whole. This month’s blog delves into the impact of medical waste on the environment.
School camps in Australia offer students unique opportunities for learning, exploration, and adventure. However, with our diverse landscape, wildlife, and climate, it’s crucial for teachers and decision-makers at schools to prioritise safety and preparedness. This month’s blog aims to provide valuable information and guidance on essential first aid supplies for Australian school camps, ensuring the safety and well-being of students during outdoor excursions.
In the world of healthcare, cleanliness and hygiene are paramount. Properly cleaning and storing reusable medical instruments is not just a matter of compliance; it’s a fundamental step in ensuring patient safety and preventing cross-contamination. At LFA First Response, we understand the critical role these instruments play in your daily practice.
Surfing is not just a sport in Australia; it’s a way of life. With our stunning coastlines and world-renowned waves, the land down under attracts surf enthusiasts from all over the globe. However, the thrill of riding the waves also comes with certain risks. Surfers and beach goers can sometimes find themselves in situations where first aid knowledge is crucial. In this blog, we’ll delve into the importance of surf life saving first aid, common injuries in surfing, prevention and the essential surf first aid kit.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to pack for a family holiday, focusing on essential items for your travel first aid kit, and why choosing LFA First Response for your wholesale medical supplies is a smart choice for peace of mind. Before we dive into the specific items you should include in your family holiday first aid kit, let’s talk about why having one is crucial.
In the fast-paced school environment, the safety of students and staff is paramount. A key aspect of school safety is the presence of defibrillators, or Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), on school premises. On November 15 2023, Department of Education Director General Lisa Rodgers released an official CEO instruction mandating Automated External Defibrillators in all WA public schools by 30 June 2024, effective from 15 November 2023.
World Diabetes Day 2023 falls on the 14th of November, and it is not just another date on the calendar; it’s a day of global significance that calls for awareness, education, and empowerment. Diabetes, a chronic medical condition affecting millions worldwide, deserves our attention and action.
When accidents or illnesses occur in the workplace, immediate and appropriate first aid could mean the difference between a minor incident and a major crisis. An understanding of responsibilities and maintaining compliance with Australia’s stringent health and safety regulations is imperative. But who really is accountable for first aid in the workplace, and how is this managed effectively?
While schools are fundamentally places of learning, they must also be sanctuaries of safety. When accidents or medical emergencies arise, being equipped with the knowledge and tools for first aid can mean the difference between a minor injury and a major crisis. This raises the question: just why is first aid important in schools?
According to the Australian Snakebite Project, there are approximately 3,000 snake bites in Australia each year, with around 500 of those requiring medical attention. It’s crucial to understand the dangers of venomous snakes and how to stay safe in their presence. With International Snake Bite Awareness Day falling on the 19th of September each year, it aims to promote awareness regarding snake bite prevention, and proper first aid responses in the case of a snake bite incident.
Blood pressure is the force of the blood circulating against the walls of one’s arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day depending on the needs of your body. Sleep, exercise, breathing, the position of your body and emotional state can all have an affect on your blood pressure.
Dental Health Week is a week-long event which aims to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and how to take necessary steps to care for your teeth and gums. This year’s Dental Health Week is taking place from the 7th to 13th of August. Dental Health Week (DHW) is the Australian Dental Association’s largest oral health campaign.
While sore throats can strike at any time of year, they are more common in the winter months. The cold, wet weather leads to people spending more time inside, which increases the chance of spreading illness. Understanding what causes a sore throat, and how to determine the cause behind a sore throat.
Bandages have many uses in the treatment and management of injury. There are many different types of bandages with different applications to suit injuries as required. Simply put, a bandage can be used to hold a dressing or splint over a wound, put pressure on a bleeding wound or to support an injured limb or joint.
As we welcome the colder months here in Australia, many people are wondering how they can best protect themselves, their families and their workplaces from illness. Let’s take a look at why the colder temperatures bring more sickness, and what you can do to reduce your chance of getting sick.
First responders dedicate their lives to helping and protecting ordinary people. Those who work in emergency services such as firefighters, paramedics, marine rescue workers, law enforcement officers, lifesavers, SES workers and those working in other aspects of emergency response spend their lives helping our community.
Heart Week 2023 is running from the 1st to the 7th of May, and aims to raise awareness about heart disease, the importance of heart health checks and how to avoid risk factors associated with heart disease. Heart Week also aims to motivate people to take positive steps towards reducing their risk of developing heart disease.
Asthma is a chronic disease which causes inflammation to the airways as a result of particular triggers. World Asthma Day aims to raise awareness about asthma and asthma treatment around the globe. The 2023 World Asthma Day is being held on 2nd May 2023.
Rapid urine test strips offer a simple way of testing a urine sample for a handful of different things and identifying a deviation in the expected levels within the urine. It’s vital that health professionals and caregivers understand how to read a urine test strip result properly and grasp the meaning of the result.
How to tell if a wound is healing or infected, even minor wounds need to be cared for and observed for signs of infection or slow healing. let’s take a look at the healing process of a wound and how to clean a wound to ensure it can heal well.
Due to the highly contagious nature of the flu, it can spread very quickly. Complications and hospitalisations as a result of the flu are common, especially in some high risk groups such as elderly people, young children, pregnant women and those with a compromised immune system.
A well-stocked first aid kit is a necessity in all workplaces, schools, businesses and healthcare settings. To be fully prepared in the event of a medical emergency, all the products in a first aid kit should be in good working order – and this includes still being within date.
Stretchers are an item of medical equipment used to transport patients or injured people to another location to receive medical treatment. Stretchers can be used to transport patients to an ambulance, and from the ambulance into the hospital or medical facility.
The hot weather is here, which means more and more people are spending time at the beach and in the water. Marine stings or bites can happen to anyone, and in Australia, there is the risk of a marine sting every time we’re in or on the water. It’s important to know first aid for marine bites and stings so that you know how to respond as quickly as possible.
One part of an immune response the body may undergo when sick is an increase in body temperature, which is known as a fever. Let’s take a look at how to use a thermometer, the different kinds of thermometers, and how to regulate body temperature.
Clinical waste has the potential to cause harm to patients, staff, the local community and the environment, so it’s important it’s disposed of properly. Let’s take a look at what is clinical waste, what goes into a clinical waste bin, and how to dispose of clinical waste.
The South Australian Government has recently passed the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022, requiring the installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all public buildings, including schools, universities, libraries, sporting facilities, and local council offices etc.
Advances in medical equipment over recent decades have contributed to faster and more effective health care. When medical personnel and first responders undergo proper training using medical training equipment and simulation scenarios, they respond faster and more confidently in an emergency.
Epinephrine is the fastest and most effective way to reverse the effects of a severe allergic reaction. In Australia, the EpiPen is the most common epinephrine auto injector, providing fast and safe emergency treatment for anaphylaxis. In this guide, we explain how an EpiPen works, and how to administer one in an emergency situation.
Dehydration is a common condition that can affect anyone, although small children, pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic conditions are at greater risk. While moderate dehydration can be treated on site with the right first aid, severe dehydration can be potentially life threatening.
Personal protective equipment or PPE is any clothing or equipment worn or used by workers to reduce health and safety risks. Common types of PPE include face masks, hard hats, safety classes, safety harnesses and respiratory protective equipment.
Heat and cold therapies have been used for centuries for treating injuries and managing pain. Naturally, heat and cold have different effects on the body so the different treatments shouldn’t be used interchangeably.
Restart a Heart Day is a global initiative aimed at educating people about the risks of cardiac arrest, how to spot the warning signs and what to do in an emergency. This year’s Restart a Heart Day falls on October 16th 2022.
Splints are an effective first aid treatment for injured bones, major sprains and muscle strains. When applied correctly, a splint will prevent movement at the injured site, reducing pain and stopping further injury.
Medical tape is used by health professionals for treating injured muscles, dressing wounds, preventing sports injuries and supporting recovery. It’s an essential component of first aid kits for health clinics, workplaces, sports clubs, schools and more.
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an essential first aid skill that can save lives in a medical emergency. Like most skills you don’t use on a regular basis, your memory and competence with CPR decreases as time goes on. That’s why it’s crucial for first aid providers to refresh their CPR skills regularly.
Chronic wounds are a growing problem in Australia, affecting over 420,000 of us every year. Raising awareness around wound prevention, treatment and management is an important first step to finding long term solutions.
Looking for a healthy, practical and successful fundraiser for your school community this year? Raise money, bring your community together and boost awareness around first aid with LFA’s first aid kit fundraiser.
Exposure to cold conditions can cause a person’s body temperature to drop, sometimes life-threateningly low. Knowing how to spot the signs of hypothermia and deliver fast and effective first aid is crucial. In this guide to hypothermia first aid, we discuss the signs of hypothermia, who’s at risk and how to provide first aid in an emergency.
Fast and effective emergency oxygen therapy can save lives for patients experiencing low oxygen levels. In this article, we look at when and how to administer oxygen in an emergency situation – and what oxygen therapy equipment you need to ensure a safe and effective treatment.
Bone fractures are a common type of injury, especially in children, sports players and the elderly. Although they are not usually life threatening, fractures should be managed quickly and effectively to ensure they heal properly. First aid for fractures can reduce pain, prevent further injury and improve healing outcomes for the patient.
When travelling remotely, it’s important to be prepared for any emergency. Whether you’re heading off road for work or pleasure, being prepared with an appropriately stocked first aid kit will ensure you’re ready to handle any unexpected first aid situations that arise.
Face masks are one of the best ways to protect against the transmission of airborne particulates – including airborne viruses such as COVID-19. However, not all face masks are the same. The N95 is one of the best rated face coverings when it comes to respiratory protection.
Whether you’re a health care worker, first aid provider, business owner or school facilitator – World Hand Hygiene Day is the perfect opportunity to encourage better hand hygiene in your community.
Infections can easily be passed from person to person during first aid and medical procedures. Knowing how to prevent cross infection in first aid can protect first responders and improve outcomes for the patient.
Wounds range from minor cuts and abrasions to serious deep injuries and life threatening traumatic wounds. Many acute wounds can be treated using a first aid kit, while others require urgent medical attention.
Knowing how to use a defibrillator could save someone’s life. While less than 1 in 10 people survive a cardiac arrest outside of hospital, defibrillation within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest can increase their chances of survival to 70%.
Australia is notorious for its many stinging insects and poisonous animals. While the majority of insect bites in Australia cause a mild reaction that clears up in a few days, some insect bites and stings can be deadly.
Everyone is at risk of sunburn, even on cold and cloudy days. Knowing how to prevent skin damage from UV radiation is crucial since sunburn is responsible for 95% of melanomas, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Infection and inflammation can occur together in your body, but they aren’t the same process. In fact, they can have different effects on your body tissues, different causes and different treatments.
An EpiPen is a type of epinephrine injection device administered in the upper mid thigh when someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Having an EpiPen in an accessible location and in good working condition can save someone’s life.
Whether you’re camping with your family, with a school group or on your own, it’s important to have the right first aid supplies with you to deal with any emergencies that arise.
When someone is sick or injured, first aid provides them with immediate, potentially lifesaving care until full medical help is available.
Proper cleaning and sanitising of surfaces is essential for preventing the spread of infectious disease and protecting the health of the community.
Since the first 10-15 seconds after eye contamination are critical, eye wash stations should be located within 10 seconds reach of high-risk areas on a job site.
Thermal burn injuries cause around 5,900 hospitalisations and 100 deaths every year in Australia. Understanding how to provide first aid for burns can help improve outcomes, reduce the risk of infection and may even save a life.
A person who has suffered a severe injury can bleed to death in a matter of minutes without first aid. Emergency help should be called immediately if someone is experiencing heavy blood loss.Â
Safety procedures in the workplace are an important tool for helping make sure your staff stay safe while completing their work tasks.
Looking after your heart health is incredibly important. Most people don’t find out that they are at risk of or have developed coronary heart disease until they experience chest pain or heart attack.
Not all snake bites are venomous or fatal, but every snake bite should be treated as potentially life-threatening. Knowing how to treat a snake bite effectively could save someone’s life.
When you live with allergies, you may experience symptoms like sneezing, coughing and itchiness from time to time. Anaphylaxis is a much more serious allergic reaction which can be life threatening.
Billions of bacteria and microorganisms can be found in every environment, including on human skin. Most of these bacteria are not harmful to humans, but some microorganisms can be dangerous and even deadly to us.
The heart is one of the most important organs of the human body. Heart rhythm problems can lead to life threatening situations, including sudden cardiac arrest. Knowing how a defibrillator works could save a life.
Asthma is a very common condition, affecting 1 in 9 Australians. Knowing what causes asthma attacks, how to relieve symptoms and how to prevent asthma attacks can make all the difference in an asthma emergency.
Most wounds have the potential to heal on their own, but the healing process may be interrupted if a wound gets infected. In this article, we look at the signs of an infected wound, how to prevent infection and how to treat it.
Wondering how to become an accredited first aid trainer? In this guide, we look at the skills, qualifications and supplies you need to start training others in first aid.
In this article, we take a look at the questions “Why is wound care important?” and “What happens when a wound doesn’t heal?”. We also discuss the importance of using the right wound dressing to ensure a smooth and timely recovery.
LFA First Response is a Perth Metro and regional West Australian stockist of first aid room equipment suitable for use in school sports classes. We are a family owned and operated business that takes pride in offering expert, friendly and knowledgeable customer service.
Patient transfer is an important process that needs to be conducted with care and precision. Having an appropriate ambulance stretcher will help you to reduce the risk of injuring a patient when raising and lowering the cot.
First aid policies are in place in schools to ensure that students can feel safe and well when unexpected circumstances arise. In compliance with legal obligations, schools must have the necessary first aid facilities and treatment available to all people at the school.
Approximately 34,000 Australians and New Zealanders suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year. Only 1 in 10 will survive cardiac arrest and the chance of survival decreases by 10% every minute a defibrillator is not used.
When it comes to kit requirements for first aid in the workplace, our wide range of options along with the unique ability to customise kits ensures you will have the right product for your organisation.
