Posted: Jul 19 '16

Summer Fun & Summer Injuries: Are You Ready?

The children are out of school and perhaps you have a week or two off from work. It’s time to enjoy summer. With summer activities though, come summer injuries. Are you prepared? A simple one or two day first aid training course in Edmonton can give you the confidence you need to provide assistance until you can get the injured person to medical aid. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help with some of the most common summer injuries.

Sunburn

We’ve all done it, and we have all regretted it. The best treatment is prevention. However, if it’s too late the following steps may help:

• Use a cream or lotion designed to soothe and cool sunburns.
• Use water to cool the area, such as a cool bath, a swim in the lake or even just immersing the small areas such as a forearm into a sink of water.
• Stay hydrated and cool off with frequent small sips of water.
• Ensure you prevent further burning by moving into the shade or covering the area with light clothing.

Burns

From BBQs to the seat belt clip there’s plenty of ways we can accidentally burn ourselves while participating in summer’s events. Severe burns, such as those causing blistering may require medical attention. Cooling the burn as quickly as possible will help to prevent swelling, provide relief and prevent the burn from progressing.

• Cool the burn with cold running water for at least 10 minutes. If you do not have access to running water find any clean way possible to cool, such as using ice cubes from the cooler (do not apply ice directly to the burn) or wrapping that burnt hand around an ice cold drink.
• After reducing the heat from the burn cover the area with a sterile, non-stick dressing to prevent infection.

Breaks, Strains and Sprains

Severe strains or sprains may require medical attention the same way a break will. Support the injured area in the most comfortable position possible for transportation.

• For severe breaks keep the victim calm by talking to them reassuringly while awaiting emergency services.
• Rest, ice, compression and elevation can all help ease swelling and discomfort. If you ever forget this, think RICE.

Bug Bites and Stings

Mostly these are temporarily painful and not a medical emergency. Stay alert though for any indication that the reaction is more severe.

• Stingers left behind after a sting can be gently scraped out by using the edge of a credit card.
• Ice can help take the irritation, swelling and itchiness away from bites and stings.
• Immediately following a sting or foreign bite ask the person if they have any known allergies and if they have medication or an auto-injector.
• Watch for signs of severe rash, swelling or difficulty breathing. These are all signs the reaction is more severe and will likely require immediate medical attention.

Be prepared this summer for whatever it may throw at you! With our first aid training course in Edmonton, those of us at MI Safety can help you be prepared and ready to act if any summer injuries occur. Contact us today to schedule your first aid training course so you can be summer ready!