First Aid Resources & Articles

Seasonal Concerns

First Aid for Cyclone-Related Injuries

Injuries during cyclones often result from flying debris, collapsing structures, and flooding. Knowing basic first aid can help prevent further harm while waiting for emergency services.

Seasonal Concerns

Preparing for a Cyclone

If a cyclone makes landfall, meaning that it crosses from the sea onto land while still being strong enough to be classified as a cyclone, the damage it can cause can be disastrous. Preparation is key to minimising the risks associated with cyclones. The damaging weather can last for days, exacerbating risks as hazards intensify.

Seasonal Concerns

Surviving Storm Season: Essential Tips

Severe storms are a common and dangerous occurrence in Australia, particularly in regions like Queensland. These storms can bring large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain, and occasionally tornadoes, all of which can put both people and property at risk. Preparing for and responding to severe storms effectively is key to ensuring safety.

Seasonal Concerns

Hazards of Spending a Day on the Beach

Australia is famous for its stunning beaches, but spending a day on the sandy shores Down Under can expose you to a unique set of hazards. From the intense sun and scorching heat to the abrasive sand and salty sea, beachgoers need to be aware of the potential risks and take precautions to stay safe.

Seasonal Concerns

Be Ready for the Rain: A Comprehensive Guide to Flood Preparedness

Floods can be devastating and cause serious damage to homes, businesses and communities. Preparing for flood risks is essential for staying safe and minimizing damage. This comprehensive guide to flood preparedness covers understanding flood risks, preparing for emergencies, essential first aid knowledge for floods, maintaining good health in flood-prone areas, and the importance of first aid training. With this guide, you can be ready for the rain and be better prepared for flood risks.

Seasonal Concerns

Hayfever Season in Adelaide and How it Affects Asthma

According to Asthma Australia, one in five people residing in Adelaide, the 'Garden City of Australia', live with hayfever and/or asthma. In this article, we’re going to cover both hayfever and asthma, and how to prevent symptoms to keep you safer.

Seasonal Concerns

Bluebottle Jellyfish Treatment and Prevention

Popular along the Australian east coast during summer, the Bluebottle jellyfish has stinging cells that contain toxic proteins and can cause intense pain, swelling, and even allergic reactions.

Seasonal Concerns

Murray Valley Encephalitis

Murray Valley encephalitis is a serious and rare virus carried by mosquitos that can result in brain damage or death. The best way to prevent infection by Murray Valley encephalitis is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Seasonal Concerns

Travel First Aid: Mosquito-borne Diseases

Mosquito-borne diseases are those acquired through mosquito bites. Though mosquito-borne diseases have a worldwide distribution, they pose a significant risk in tropical holiday destinations like Bali, where Aedes aegypti mosquitos are in abundance.

Seasonal Concerns

Barmah Forest Virus

Barmah Forest virus is a mosquito-borne diseases characterised by fatigue, joint pain, and variable rashes, which can persist for several months. The best way to prevent infection by Barmah Forest virus is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Seasonal Concerns

Travel First Aid: Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an inflammatory infection in the gut in response to bacteria, viruses, and parasites in food or water. In this article, we take a look at how to reduce your risk of gastroenteritis while travelling.

Seasonal Concerns

How to be SunSmart: Slip Slop Slap Seek and Slide

Slip slop slap seek and slide is the core campaign for the Cancer Council's SunSmart program. By taking heed of this campaign, you can reduce the immediate and long-term effects of sun exposure, including sunburn, heat stroke, and skin cancer.

Seasonal Concerns

First Aid for Smoke Inhalation

Smoke inhalation occurs when you breathe in the products of combustion during a bushfire, which can include particulate matter and deadly gases like carbon monoxide. Today, we look at how to treat smoke inhalation before medical help arrives.

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Common Health Issues in Winter and How to Beat Them

Though we are prone to poor health and chronic health conditions throughout the year, winter can increase one's risk of certain health conditions. It is important to be wary of these health conditions, so you can prevent, identify, and manage the symptoms.

Seasonal Concerns

Severe Storm Safety Tips

Many Queenslanders are familiar with severe storms, which can include storm surges, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. It is important to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during storms, as they can cause falling debris and asthma attacks.

Seasonal Concerns

Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke

Despite their similar signs and symptoms, it’s important to understand the differences between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, the most serious of heat-induced illnesses.

Seasonal Concerns

Heat Cramps First Aid

Heat cramps are the body’s way of signalling an oncoming heat emergency. First aid treatment for heat cramps is best done promptly, the aim being to avoid the symptoms progressing to heat exhaustion.

Seasonal Concerns

Heat Exhaustion First Aid

First aid treatment for heat exhaustion is a critical intervention. Heat exhaustion is a precursor to the more serious, life-threatening type of heat-induced illness. First aid includes cooling the casualty with fans and ice water.

Seasonal Concerns

Easter Holiday Safety

Whether you are heading to the beach, camping, spending the day by the pool, or having a few beers with mates surrounding a seafood barbecue, make sure you ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Seasonal Concerns

Road Safety: Christmas Holidays

Unfortunately, road accidents and fatalities over the Christmas period are often significantly worse than the rest of the year.

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Holiday Decorating Safety

Ladders are not the only cause of injuries in the festive season. For example, last summer, 23 New Zealanders visited hospital emergency with a plastic cricket bat injury

Seasonal Concerns

Protective Clothing for Bushfires

Readying protective clothing is essential for bushfire season, especially if you choose to defend your home. Protective clothing can reduce your risk of injury from radiant heat, embers, and other debris in the air.

Seasonal Concerns

Preparing a Bushfire Emergency Survival Kit

With large swathes of Australia now prone to bushfires, it is important to prepare for bushfire season. One way you can prepare for bushfire season is by putting together an Emergency Survival Kit.

Seasonal Concerns

How to Prepare Your Home for a Bushfire

Bushfires impact different parts of Australia over the entire year. As such, it is important to have your home prepared against bushfire threats, as this will go a long way to protect the safety of you and your loved ones.

Seasonal Concerns

Australia Bushfire First Aid Tips

Although many people associate fire casualties with heat and flames, smoke inhalation is actually the leading cause of death among those who get caught in fires.