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First aid and related topics. New articles published several times a week.

Vaccines are design to stimulate the production of antibodies to provide immunity against an infectious disease. Flu vaccines comprise inactive versions of flu viruses, and a variety of ingredients that enhance their purity, potency, and effectiveness.
Virus

Virus

What is in the Flu Vaccine - Ingredients

Flu viruses can change their surface structure from one year to the next. As such, new flu vaccines are developed each year. Flu vaccines comprise numerous ingredients that aid their development, purity, and efficacy.

Influenza (flu) vaccines are a brilliant measure for reducing the number of flu cases. Flu vaccines comprise numerous ingredients to ensure their potency, purity, and efficacy. As such, they can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe.
Virus

Virus

Flu Vaccination Side Effects

Every year, new flu vaccines are developed to protect against fresh strains of the flu virus. Flu vaccines can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about receiving the flu vaccine.

Heart problems are a leading cause of death in Australian children and babies. These problems range from congenital heart defects like 'a hole in the heart', to arrhythmia and congestive heart failure. It is important to know their signs and symptoms.
Disease

Disease

Responding to Heart Problems in Children

Heart problems are the leading cause of death in Australian children. As such, it is important to understand how to prevent, identify, and manage symptoms of heart problems in children. This will help avoid serious complications.

Muscles cramps are often called 'charley horse'. They are sudden, involuntary contractions in the muscles that can cause significant pain. They are often caused by muscle exertion, strain, or fatigue, though they can indicate something more serious.
Injury

Injury

Muscle cramps and spasms

Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in the muscles. The exact cause of muscle cramps is unknown. However, they are usually caused by overuse of the muscle, though they can be caused by underlying health conditions.

Hiking safety article header
Danger

Danger

Do Not Assume any Hike will be Danger or Accident Free

Hiking is best enjoyed when everyone looks out for their safety and that of others. Even a trek planned by seasoned hikers is not without risk. All members of a hiking party are vulnerable to minor inconveniences, such as scrapes, sunburn, and insect bites, as well as more serious perils, such as fractures, heat strokes, and anaphylactic shock.

The number of flu cases reported each year can vary dramatically, as the length and intensity of each flu season is rarely identical. However, both the 2020 and 2021 flu seasons were much less severe and widespread compared to pre-COVID seasons.
Virus

Virus

What Happened to the Flu in 2020 & 2021?

This year, the flu is hitting Australia hard. We've lost our natural immunity against the flu, as it all but disappeared for the last two years. It is important to understand why the flu disappeared, so we can manage the current flu season.

Hydrofluoric acid is a chemical used in many Australian workplaces. When it comes to hydrofluoric acid, severe injuries can be caused by skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, or inhalation. These include burns and blistering on the skin.
Injury

Injury

Hydrofluoric Acid Burns

Hydrofluoric acid is a chemical used in many Australian workplaces. It can cause chemical burns and other serious injuries. First aid training is vital for understanding how to manage symptoms of hydrofluoric acid exposure.

There are three types of sleep apnoea. Anyone can get sleep apnoea, but certain contributing factors increase the chances of someone developing this sleep disorder.
Disease

Disease

What Is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder ranging from mild to severe in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Untreated sleep apnoea has a negative impact on your overall physical and mental health. As such, it is important to understand how to prevent, identify, and manage the symptoms of sleep apnoea.

It is recommended that all first aiders regularly renew their first aid certification. First aid techniques are not used often, and so your knowledge of them may wane over time. This could impact your ability to confidently handle emergencies.
First Aid Training

First Aid Training

How Long is a First Aid Certificate Valid for?

First aid training can instil people with the skills to save a life. However, like a lot of skills, knowledge of proper first aid technique can wane over time. For this reason, it is important that all first aiders refresh their skills regularly.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that affects the lungs, nose, and throat. Though generally a mild illness, the flu can cause severe symptoms in certain high-risk groups. As such, it is important to understand how to avoid the flu.
Virus

Virus

Decrease Your Risk of Flu

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that affects the lungs, nose, and throat. Though the flu generally only causes mild symptoms, it can lead to serious health complications among certain high-risk groups.

Regular physical activity is important for staving off a variety of physical and mental conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Despite this, many Australians are not meeting minimum exercise guidelines on a daily basis.
General Health-Related

General Health-Related

Healthy Diet and Regular Exercise

Regular physical activity is important for staving off a variety of physical and mental conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and anxiety. Despite this, many Australians are not meeting minimum exercise guidelines on a daily basis.

While sitting in a special needs classroom at Henley Beach Primary School, five year-old student Lucas Mazzei choked to death. His tragic and untimely death has raised questions about first aid requirements in South Australian public schools.
First Aid Training

First Aid Training

Adelaide School Tragedy Inquest

An inquest into the death of a young boy at an Adelaide school has found that the first aid response was "hampered by panic and communication difficulties." As such, it has raised questions about whether South Australian teachers are aptly equipped to deal with first aid emergencies.