The funny thing about emergencies is that you never know when they’re going to strike. But, medical emergencies, at least minor ones, can be planned for. A good first aid kit that’s well stocked can really help take the panic out of an emergency situation and help you and your loved ones get back to the business of living quick. Every home should have at least one well stocked kit to enable family members to handle minor situations that arise.

A first aid kit in a home should be put in a location that’s agreed upon by everyone. If it contains items that might be dangerous for little people, keep the kit out of their reach. But, do make sure family members who can use and benefit from it know its whereabouts.

When stocking a first aid kit for a home, it’s important to include basic items. The list includes:

Band-Aids. You should have several sizes of bandages included in a good first aid kit. It’s hard to tell when these will be needed and how large they need to be, so multiple choices help you cover your bets. Burn cream. Burns happen at home. There’s no way around it. Whether it’s from cooking or lighting a fire, they just happen. A good, medical grade burn cream included in a first aid kit can help take the sting out of the situation. Speaking of stings, bee stings, mosquito bites and other such insect run-ins can be real problems around the home. Inasmuch, a good kit should include anti-itch cream to help combat the effects of these critters. Peroxide. If a wound is present, it should be properly cleaned out. Peroxide is therefore a smart thing to include. Aspirin or baby fever reducer. If you don’t think these things belong in a kit, trying being up at 3 in the morning with a little one who has a high fever. If the medicine is kept in the first aid kit, you always know where to find it. Cold compresses. Sprains, strains and so on can require fast treatment to help avoid swelling. These portable first aid kit created compresses are wonderful for getting the job done and they are easier to bring with you if an emergency room visit is in order. Butterfly bandages. These are vital to include. These close small wounds effectively until medical treatment can be sought out.

Depending on any special needs in your home, you might need to have other items in your first aid kit. A home with a diabetic, for example, might want a glucose shot for crash emergencies and one with a small child might require lotion for diaper rash and so on.

Store bought first aid kits are great, but the ones that really pay off are those that have enough room for you to add items you think are important. Medical needs in each home can differ, so first aid kits should not be one size fits all.

If you are thinking about getting a hearing aid, you probably want one that is small, that no one can see, and one that can help you hear better and is comfortable. Well, there is good news for you! New Open Ear hearing aid technology has dramatically improved hearing capabilities as well as good looks.

The Open Ear style hearing aid is a discreet device that sends the sounds into your ear in one of two ways. Some Open Ear style hearing aids use a small tube with an earbud (a soft tip) on the end that connects to your ear. A more recent innovation in Open Ear hearing aid design is the receiver in the ear delivery system. The names for this type of product vary. You may see them advertised as RIC, RITE, or CRT. They all mean the same thing, the receiver (speaker) is actually in your ear and connected to the hearing aid by a thin wire.

Using a RITE connection provides several benefits. This is so the wire cannot kink from repetitive use and it will maintain its shape. Because the speaker is actually in the ear, the sound quality is better and the hearing aid can provide more high frequency amplification. Feedback (that annoying whistling sound) happens less often because the microphone and the speaker are further apart. Hearing aid manufacturers have also developed disposable wax guards for the speaker which are easily replaced. This style results in less breakdowns from earwax.

Of the current Open Ear products using RITE technology, the Oticon Delta hearing aid is one of the most popular. Oticon Delta has a small, triangular design. Because it is so small, this hearing aid looks like it could be a bluetooth communication device or a fasion accessory. The Delta hearing aid is available in a variety of colors, some trendy and some designed to camouflage. I find most patients want discreet colors which hide the hearing aid in your hair and make it virtually invisible. However, sometimes a patient will want to make a bold statement and pick a color like Deep Purple or Sunset Orange.

The Oticon Delta hearing aid was selected as an International CES Best of Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Award winner. Innovations 2007 recognizes the best-designed and best-engineered products in consumer technology, and is one of the most widely renowned consumer technology awards programs worldwide. The Oticon Delta hearing aid was awarded one of the highest scores in the Personal Electronics category based on its value to a user, aesthetics, contributions to quality of life, and innovative qualities.

Another popular new Open Ear hearing aid is the Phonak Audeo. Very tiny, light and discreet, the Audeo hearing aid has several features that make it an excellent choice. CrystalSound is the core of the hearing aid processor. It digitally amplifies the subtle, high-pitched sounds critical to understanding speech and makes sure nothing gets lost. Digital SurroundZoom is one the industry’s best directional microphone systems. All packaged into a cool, Red Dot Design Award winning form that combines style with ergonomics and practicality. The Audeo shape is designed to allow optimum placement of the dual microphones on the hearing aid for the best performance in noise.

Many Open Ear hearing aids can also be used for more than just high frequency hearing loss. By making a custom tip, they can be used for moderate to severe hearing loss at all frequencies. This allows even more hearing aid users to enjoy the technological and cosmetic advantages. Open Ear technology is the new breakthrough for hearing aid users.

When we think of the items that should be kept in vehicle first aid kits, a few common wound care supplies come to mind:

Antiseptic cleansing wipes Plastic adhesive bandages Butterfly closure strips Antibiotic ointment Burn relief cream

Since the purpose of an automobile first aid kit is to be prepared for unexpected situations, you may want to ensure that your vehicle is stocked with these less obvious safety supplies to ensure preparedness in different types of emergencies:

First aid tape, cotton tipped applicators and gauze in a range of sizes: While the basic wound care supplies mentioned above are important to keep in any vehicle first aid kit, having gauze in a variety of sizes as well as other wound care supplies provides the ability to treat wounds of varying severity. Instant cold compresses: An instant cold compress is a small pack that becomes extremely cold and acts as an ice pack when activated. An instant ice pack can be used to alleviate swelling when ice is not available, as is usually the case in roadside emergencies. Emergency blanket: Emergency blankets use reflective foil to trap body heat and maintain optimal body temperature in cold environments. Emergency blankets can be life savers in the event that you get stranded with no heat in frigid winter temperatures. Disposable gloves: Disposable gloves such as latex gloves, vinyl exam gloves or disposable nitrile gloves protect against the spread of germs when administering or receiving first aid. Gloves help prevent the spread of germs from the hands to a wound and vice versa in an emergency situation.

A vehicle first aid kit may not be something you think about often, but having the right medical supplies on hand to deal with unpredictable circumstances is an important part of vehicle safety. While we recommend keeping a complete first aid kit in your vehicle to prepare for emergencies, we also hope you never have to use it!

First Aid as the words suggest is the care given to a casualty before professional help is required. This help can literally mean the difference between life and death.

The aims of First Aid are:

To preserve life

To prevent the worsening of any injuries

To promote recovery

Why do we need First Aid and more importantly the correct products.

Accidents do happen particularly in the home [ approx 2.8million per annum ]

You are 20 times more likely to have a fatal accident than win the lottery!

Top 5 Accidents

A] Falls

B] Strikes & Collisions

C] Cuts & Tears

D] Foreign Bodies

E] Burns

First Aid Misconceptions

A] You should put butter/cream on a burn. WRONG. The only thing you should put on a burn is water. Keep the butter for cooking!

B] To do First Aid you need lots of training. WRONG. What you need is commonsense!

C] You need lots of expensive equipment.WRONG. The basics are readily available at affordable prices.

Who uses First Aid?

By law everyone in a working environment whether it is a one-man business or a worldwide plc. Also sports, leisure and the private sectors. Basically everyone, everywhere!

Try this test:

Using the alphabet think of all the areas from A – Z where people could be hurt from an abbatoir to a zoo. Once you have got to Z go back to the beginning you`ve just started!

MEDISCOT ONLINE with over 25 years experience offer a large range of First Aid, sports injury prevention, safety equipment, instruments, diagnostics and consumables along with medical information to all sectors.

New products include: mercury-free & digital thermometers, lego-type splints, safety knives. Check out our innovative MOBIMEDIC an interactive approach to learning about the most common first aid situations and what to do. This unique technology not only summarises traditional text in a simple and graphic format for effective knowledge retention but makes it more fun all at a touch of a button on your mobile phone! It has been adopted by organisations including the Red Cross and the Royal Lifesaving Society.

All MEDISCOT ONLINE products come with ISO and C.E approval and guarantee quality and best value. For details please visit the following :

www.medi-scot.co.uk www.1staidwarehouse.co.uk

www.serviceproducts.co.uk

The government in their “preparing for emergencies” booklet advises everyone to learn basic first aid. MOBIMEDIC can help achieve this.

BE PREPARED – BE SAFE

CPR and first aid are two different, yet vitally important skills that should be learned by all individuals. Young and old alike, and persons from all walks of life, can and do greatly benefit from the knowledge of CPR and first aid.

CPR and first aid are often used interchangeably and are thought by many to be one and the same. The fact is, though both techniques are used in emergency situations, they are quite different skills. Both should be mastered by persons who wish to be able to improve the quality of life of those around them, but the differences between the two should be noted.

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a first response technique that is used for individuals who are suffering from heart attack. Using a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions, CPR can provide victims of cardiac emergencies with enough blood flow to the brain to increase viability and to reduce the risk of brain damage. CPR is also sometimes used in cases where victims are unconscious, such as drowning, in order to resume respiration.

First aid is the act of providing immediate, emergency care to persons who suffer from a medical crisis. First aid is an all-encompassing term that applies to the care given in multiple situations, including wounds, burns, allergies, bites and stings, poisonings, and nearly any other situation that might require medical care. The term first aid can be used to describe the treatment given in any situation, even those that do not require a visitation to a medical professional.

Both first aid and CPR training are widely available. In order to be able to provide the best possible care in emergency situations, individuals should seriously consider becoming certified in both. Training for CPR and first aid are available in an easily accessible, online format through American Health Care Academy at www.cpraedcourse.com. This training is thorough yet inexpensive. Above all, becoming certified in first aid and CPR can greatly increase the quality of life of all of those around you.

It’s amazing that a device as small as a hearing aid can change a person’s life as much as it does. Those of you who have had an experience of wearing a hearing aid must have wondered how it actually works, well they’re pretty amazing things. Here we will discuss the basic working of different types of hearing aids that are currently available on the market.

All hearing aids have certain things in common, all hearing aids have the same basic components without these components, hearing aids would simply be unable to function. These components are: a microphone that picks up sounds around you, an electronic circuit that amplifies this sound and a receiver that transfers amplified sound to inner ear to be heard. The circuit works with the help of a battery, and all this equipment is housed within a small case which can fit in a variety of different places.

So, you see the hearing aid is simply a sound amplifier. That’s how you are able to hear many sounds that you were previously unable to hear thanks to this advice. Hearing aids are split into two main categories, digital and analog. Analog aids are further divided into conventional and programmable aids. Programmable analog aids allow you to program specific functionality within the hearing aid to make it suitable for different environments, these settings can be changed by using a switch or a remote control.

Digital hearing aids work in much the same way as a programmable analog aid. The only difference is that these digital aids are self-adjusting. This means that the wearer doesn’t have to change the volume or any other setting manually. Digital aids are characterized by the sampled analog signals as only high and low impulses. These signals are then manipulated by using techniques of digital signal processing to add extra features to the hearing device, including noise reduction, automatic gain control, compression and sound generation. Digital hearing aids are much more expensive than analog because of this extra functionality.

In addition to this classification, hearing aids are also distinguished on the basis of their style. Four popular styles are BTE (behind the ear), ITE (in the ear), ITC (in the canal) and CIC (completely in the canal). Their names pretty much explain where they all fit. Each type looks different and each are suitable for different degrees of hearing loss.

BTE hearing aids are composed of an ear mold that fits behind the ear, and tubing that transmits the sound to the ear. They are easy to use, easy to clean and easy to maintain. However, because of their size they are quite noticeable. These types of hearing aids are especially designed for kids because they may struggle to manage the other types of hearing aids. ITE hearing aids completely fit inside the ear and are barely visible. They usually come with extra functions like a telephone switch to allow the user to easily listen to a telephone conversation. ITC and CIC work in a similar way, but ITC aids are somewhat bigger in size than CIC hearing aids. For more info see http://www.firsthearingaids.com/comparereviews/hearing_aid_manufacturers.html on kinds of hearing.

There is another type of hearing aid that is much less well known, this is called the bone conduction hearing aid. This is designed for people whose eardrum or ear canal becomes so damaged that other hearing aids are not feasible. The brain interprets these vibrations as sound. There is an additional component in this type of device, known as the oscillator, which receives sound signals and produces vibration according to their pattern. These aren’t very common, they’re only really used by people that have no alternative.

As traveling with pets becomes increasingly more frequent a practice, the number of pets injured while away from home is steadily escalating. When a cat or dog is unfamiliar with its surroundings, the animal may be more prone to various types of injuries, especially if the animal is particularly curious and overly inquisitive. Common pet travel injuries and illnesses include: insect stings, motion sickness, pet allergies, cuts, scrapes, and swallowing foreign objects. More serious injuries such as poisoning, infection, and broken bones may also occur.

Pet travel will become a much safer and more rewarding experience once pet owners are better equipped to handle emergency situations. Both knowledge of first aid, and the equipment available to facilitate such care are essential to ensure the best possible outcome for an injured pet. It is best to keep in mind the goals of administering pet first aid: first, to prevent further injury, and second, to minimize discomfort until the animal can be safely transported to a veterinarian.

These objectives determine much of what should be included inside a pet first aid kit. A dog or cat with a preexisting condition or illness may require the presence of additional items. The pet owner should decide what tools, medicines, and equipment to add depending upon their pet’s specific needs. All items should be stored in a waterproof container that can be closed securely.

Sample items in a pet first aid kit may include:

- Pet information card with pet’s current health information, veterinarian’s address and telephone number. Also include poison control hotline number.

- Latex gloves, cotton swabs, and hand wipes

- Rectal thermometer, and lubricating jelly pack

- Scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, oral syringe

- Triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream

- Sterile eye flush, eyedropper

- Old necktie (for making a muzzle)

- Bandaging materials (gauze squares and bandage tape)

- Clean towel

- Spare collar and leash

- Pet first aid booklet

Remember to package spillable items in leak-proof plastic bags, and rotate items so that medications and ointments do not expire. Store the pet first aid kit safely away from children and pets.

In a perfect world there would be no use for a pet first aid kit, but do not procrastinate. Having the necessary tools and equipment on hand during a critical situation can make a difference in the health and safety of your pet.

With vacation time at hand and more activities taking place, a well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment’s notice. Make sure that you and your family are prepared to treat the most common injuries, and emergencies that will take place over the summer.

This is also the beginning of the storm season. After a quiet start to 2009 Hurricane season, three storms have started in just 30 hours.

You and your family’s safety depend to a large extent on what you do now, before there is a storm on your horizon. Planning and preparation are the two most powerful survival tools at your disposal, and it is simply unwise not to make full use of them. To this end, be sure to have a comprehensive first aid / emergency kit close by.

A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment necessary to provide immediate care to an injured or ill person before treatment by medically trained personnel. The kit will be made up of different contents depending on the place where the kit will be used and the number of persons it needs to protect. Will it just be your family at the cottage, or will there be extra guests?

It is recommended that your first aid kit be assembled in a clean, waterproof container to keep the contents safe and aseptic. Most kits come in durable plastic boxes, fabric pouches or in wall mounted cabinets. The type of container will vary depending on where they will be used and will range in size from pocket sized through to large backpacks. A wall mounted first aid cabinet would be perfect at home or cottage, but a fabric bag would be better suited in your vehicle.

First aid kits available through your local stores are generally intended for treatment of very minor injuries only. Typical contents include adhesive bandages, gauze and a disinfectant. Specialized first aid kits are available for various locations and activities, and will focus on specific risks related to that activity.

For example, first aid kits designed for use in a boat will contain seasickness remedies. Kits designed for industrial applications will contain burn medication and a suitable infection barrier for performing artificial respiration. They will also have larger quantities of supplies to treat multiple victims.

Trauma injuries, such as bleeding from cuts and scrapes, bone fractures or burns, are usually the main focus of most first aid kits designed for the home; however these kits are also practical for use while traveling, at the cottage or during a disaster related evacuation. These kits will include:

Adhesive bandages

Adhesive tape

Sterile Dressings (applied directly to wound)

Sterile eye pads

Sterile gauze pads

Antiseptic wipes or sprays

Sterile non-adherent pads, containing a non-stick Teflon layer

Triple antibiotics

Bandages (non-sterile for securing dressings)

Gauze roller bandages

Elastic bandages (used for sprains)

Triangular bandages (used as slings, tourniquets and to tie splints)

Blood stoppers, to promote clotting for severe bleeding.

Butterfly closure strips (to close wounds)

CPR mouth piece

Splints, to stabilize broken bones

Burn dressing (sterile pad, soaked in a cooling gel)

Gloves (disposable)

Trauma shears, for cutting clothing and general use

Tweezers

Alcohol pads (sterilizing equipment)

Flashlight

Instant-acting chemical cold packs

Alcohol rubs or antiseptic hand wipes (hand sanitizer)

Thermometer

Emergency blanket

First Aid Booklet (Read the entire booklet so you’ll understand how to use the contents of your kit) 

It is an excellent idea to include Aspirin, primarily used for central medical chest pain, as an anti-coagulant and Acetaminophen for pain relief.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen can also be used in the case of a strained joint.

Don’t forget extra prescription medications if you are going away for your vacation.

Remember to check the contents of all of your kits regularly and replace the items that have been used before you need them again.

While there is no way to predict when and where an injury or natural disaster may occur, being prepared with the proper first aid and emergency gear will give you and your family a much better chance of getting through the difficult times.

Knowing dog first aid skills are very important, just as with humans and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency may mean the difference between life and death for your dog. Dog emergencies or any other extreme medical situations require that you get your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Of course, not every possible ailment will need professional treatment but better safe than sorry. If your dog ever receives any kind of injury it is always best that you be aware of what to do in advance (depending on what type of injury the dog has received). Different kinds of injuries require different kinds of treatments. Many kinds of injuries may require immediate medical assistance. It is a very good idea to know how to prevent any dog emergencies, treat various minor injuries with first aid and just when you need to seek immediate veterinary assistance and care.

In case an emergency ever were to happen it is easy to prepare for it in advance by creating your own dog first aid kit. It is very easy to create. Good ideas for containers could be a lunch box, a tackle box or some other shoe box sized plastic container. Water-proof and strong enough to withstand mild pressure is the best idea.

It would be a great idea to label the first aid kit on all sides with something such as “Dog First Aid Kit”. It’s also a very good idea to list a description of your dog(s) including it’s name, color, weight, any health issues, distinguishing characteristics with a recent photo labeled with the name of every pet that you own.

An index card with the numbers of your local veterinarian, poison control, and other canine emergency numbers for your dog (emergency vet, etc) is also a good thing to include in the dog first aid kit. Here is a list of several items you should put in your dog first aid kit with brief explanations as to what each item is for. Remember, your dog’s health may depend on it.

Dog First Aid Kit Basic Ingredients List:

Activated charcoal: for poisonings (1 gram per pound, mixed with water),

Antihistamine tablets: for insect stings and allergic reactions,

Betadine or Nolvasan: cleaning open wounds,

Blankets: several if possible, to help prevent against shock in the event of an accident or injury as well as a good way to transport an injured dog,

Blunt nosed scissors: to cut tape and clip. Keep these scissors with the kit.

Canine rectal thermometer: to take the dog or puppies temperature,

Cortisone ointment: Used as a topical anti-inflammatory,

Cotton balls and swabs: Used mainly to clean wounds,

Eyedropper or dosage syringe: to apply medications to your dog,

Eyewash: to irrigate the eyes of your dog,

First-aid cream: to sooth and protect wounds,

Gauze bandage: for wrapping wounds,

Gloves: both thin plastic to avoid contamination and thicker ones if you have a fear of being bitten,

Hand towels: to dry hands, for clean up, etc.,

Hydrogen peroxide (3%): has various uses, one of which is to induce vomiting,

Kaolin and pectin: to help diarrhea (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds),

Magnifying glass: to help locate any tiny objects

Muzzle: even the best dog may bite when in extreme pain. If you don’t have one you can also make one from strips of soft long fabric, tube socks, etc.,

Nail clippers: best case scenario, have both human and canine nail clippers,

Non-stick adhesive tape: to help tape bandages in place,

Non-stinging antiseptic spray: to help clean wounds,

Pepto-Bismol , Maalox or Kaopectate: to help relieve minor stomach upsets,

Petroleum jelly: for use with the rectal thermometer, also an aid in constipation (1/2 teaspoon per 10 pounds),

Saline solution: can be used for many things such as irrigating wounds,

Stretch bandages: for wound dressing,

Styptic pencil: to stop minor bleeding,

Syrup of Ipecac: used to induce vomiting (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds),

Tweezers or hemostat: use to pull our splinters or other small foreign objects,

Vegetable oil: for mild constipation (1 teaspoon per 5 pounds, mix it in with food)

If you can think of other items to add to your dog first aid kit, feel free to do so. This list is just a place to get you started in creating your own dog first aid kit.

Any of the following symptoms or injuries require IMMEDIATE medical action from your veterinarian. Contact your vet immediately if your dog or puppy has any of the following:

Been hit by a vehicle,

No pulse or heart beat,

Broken bones,

Puncture wounds to the abdomen or chest,

Spurting blood,

Bleeding from nose or mouth,

Bloated abdomen,

Repeated vomiting,

Pale gums,

Diarrhea for more than 18 hours,

Muscle tremors,

Problems with breathing or swallowing,

Refusal to eat for 48 hours,

Seizures or disorientation,

Unusual swellings (especially ones that are sudden, hard or fast growing)

In any emergency situation try and keep as calm as possible and to get your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. If anything ever happens, call first to see if the office is open, and to let the vet know what has happened and that you and your dog are on your way.

If your veterinarians office is not open for whatever the reason, call your nearest emergency vet clinic. Always keep all emergency phone numbers, including those of your veterinarian and emergency veterinarian clinic, near your telephone.

When it comes to protecting you and your cherished family and friends, you recognize the importance of having a high quality and professional unitized plastic first aid kits. Those kits are easy to use and easy to understand. They usually start at a 61-piece unit which will carry everything you need to quickly treat an emergency, and can hold you over for most circumstances until help arrives in many cases.

The case has a handle made for easy carrying, and there is even a wall mount which allows for instance access. The contents are snugly placed in this plastic case which means you are going to have less shifting. Each of the items are individually wrapped to insure cross contamination is minimized, and you will easily be able to replace the contents with the permanently affixed sticker on the inside that has a list of the contents.

What can you expect to find in this 61-piece unitized plastic first aid kit?

Adhesive plastic bandages – When you need bandages you will find this kit has a multitude of bandages individually wrapped for your protection. When it comes time to restock these individually wrapped bandages, you will not have to fight and struggle. Instead, you will even find it easy to reorder. Small adhesive bandages to large adhesive bandages are included to insure you have bandages for every situation.

Non-stick pads – If you do not want to have an adhesive plastic bandage, you may find these nonstick pads extremely useful. In addition to being used as a bandage, these can be used to stop the bleeding. Or place on top of a wound to keep contaminants out until help arrives. These nonstick pads are wonderful and a must for any reputable and reliable unitized plastic first aid kit.

Triple antibiotic ointment – There is nothing as recognizable as being beneficial to the healing process as triple antibiotic ointment. These just happen to be individually wrapped for your convenience. Simply massage the individually wrapped package of triple antibiotic ointment and apply to a clean wound to promote healing. These are easy to replace, and since they are individually wrapped, will have a longer life expectancy.

Alcohol cleansing pads – When it comes to cleaning a minor wound, there is nothing quite like the cleaning power of isopropyl alcohol. These alcohol cleansing pads will offer you the ability to properly cleanse any minor wound in preparation for doctoring.

Instant cold compress – While these have not always been a necessity in unitized plastic first aid kits, these are today an important part of the whole case. These are ready in an instant to be used as an instant cold compress to slow down swelling and offer relief.

Scissors – No matter what kind of unitized plastic first aid kits you have, you will find that scissors offer many benefits. You can snip bandages to the proper size, snip open individually packed items, or even snip clothing that can be in the way. You may find it necessary to run an alcohol pad over the blades when finished to insure they are not contaminated.

You simply get more when you use unitized plastic first aid kits.