AHEAD of Easter, Red Cross Australia is calling on every Australian to be First Aid ready in the event someone unknowingly succumbs to an allergic nut reaction, which can easily be hidden in delicious Easter chocolate treats.
In the event of a medical emergency, Red Cross believes you and your family can feel confident of taking the right actions if you are first aid ready.
Red Cross recommends keeping your first aid qualification up-to-date and a Red Cross First Aid App on your smart phone or tablet.
The hottest topics on the Red Cross First Aid App during Easter are always allergies, anaphylaxis and choking.
Red Cross first aid trainer, Anthony Cameron says: “If an adult or child is choking and unable to cough or breathe, call for an ambulance and perform five back blows between the shoulder blades, continually checking for an impact.”
If this does not work, lean them forward, position the base of your palm on the wide bone in the centre of their chest (two fingers for babies) and give five sharp chest thrusts checking for a response after each. Babies can be positioned face down on your lap to support their head.
“If you have a serious food allergy always keep your adrenaline auto-injector on hand, have their action plan accessible and notify those around you,” Anthony says.
Signs of someone suffering from anaphylaxis may include difficulty in breathing, a swollen tongue, tightness in the throat and difficulty talking.
Be first aid ready this Easter by downloading the free First Aid App from Red Cross, and then updating the App regularly to ensure you have the latest first aid techniques.
To book a Red Cross first aid training course go online to www.redcross.edu.au or call 1300 367 428.
Source: Red Cross Australia
