ResQ First Aid

10/16/2025

In a market flooded with promises of more energy, stronger immunity, and glowing skin, supplements can seem like an easy fix — but not all that’s “natural” is safe.

Most supplements are not tightly regulated, meaning what’s on the label isn’t always what’s in the bottle. Some contain hidden drugs, unlisted fillers, or doses far higher than what your body can safely handle.

⚠️ Here’s what can actually happen:
• Too much vitamin A or E can accumulate in your liver, leading to nausea, organ damage, or even failure.
• Excess zinc or iron can harm your kidneys and weaken immunity.
• “Natural fat burners” can increase blood pressure and strain your heart.
• “Immune boosters” taken in high doses can fuel inflammation instead of preventing illness.

These products are often marketed with impressive claims, but many companies are focused on sales, not science.

✅ What to do instead:
• Get your nutrients from real, balanced food whenever possible.
• Have your blood levels checked before starting any supplement.
• Only take what your healthcare provider recommends for your specific needs.
• Remember: health isn’t found in a pill — it’s built through consistency, nutrition, and care.

09/15/2025

A 52-year-old mountaineer in Italy fell into a crevasse and went into cardiac arrest. His body temperature dropped so low (severe hypothermia) that his heart stopped.

Rescuers didn’t give up. They performed continuous CPR for almost 6 HOURS while slowly warming him up — and unbelievably, he survived with no brain damage.

This real case shows why CPR matters: even when the odds look impossible, chest compressions can keep blood moving and buy time until the body recovers. 💙

👉 Never underestimate the power of CPR. Learning it could truly save a life.

Read the full medical case here:
https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13256-019-2282-6

Background We report a case of successful prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (5 hours and 44 minutes) following severe accidental hypothermia with cardiac arrest treated without rewarming on extracorporeal life support. Case presentation A 52-year-old Italian mountaineer, was trapped in a cre.....

12/27/2024

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just impact the body; it can also deeply affect the mind. While the physical toll is often the first focus, many of us experience emotional scars that are just as real. PTSD can develop after the shock of hearing “you have cancer” — the uncertainty, fear, and anxiety that follow can be overwhelming.

The mind and body are connected, and healing from cancer isn’t just about remission; it’s also about processing trauma. The constant worry, the invasive treatments, the waiting — all of this can leave a lasting impact. It’s important to recognize that trauma is part of the journey for many survivors, and healing isn’t linear.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to seek help. Your mental health deserves just as much attention as your physical health.

12/02/2023

Family conflicts are an unfortunate reality of life, often leading to emotional distress and strained relationships. When these conflicts escalate to the point of affecting innocent children, it becomes a matter of grave concern. I’m going to shed light on a personal experience of two people who have unjustly severed the relationship between their children, and my own.

The Impact on the Children:
Children are impressionable beings, and their emotional and psychological development is significantly influenced by their environment. When they are exposed to family conflicts, it can lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and depression. In the case of my daughter and her cousins, the abrupt cessation of their close relationship has left them, heartbroken and confused. They are being punished for a conflict they had no part in, which is not only unfair, but harmful to their emotional well-being.

The Unfairness of the Situation:
It is important to understand the children are not pawns to be used in adult conflict. They should not be made to bear the brunt of disagreements that they neither understand nor have control over. These family members’ decision to prevent the kids from speaking, is not only unjust, but also detrimental. It is a decision driven by spite and resentment, rather than the best interest of the children.

Children thrive on relationships. They learn about empathy, compassion, and cooperation through their interactions with others. By preventing their kids from speaking, these family members are depriving them of a valuable relationship. They are teaching them that relationships can be discarded at will, a lesson that could have long-term negative effects on their ability to form and maintain healthy relationships in the future.

The decision of these family members do several the kids relationship is not only unjust, but harmful to the children. It is a decision that needs to be reconsidered for the sake of their happiness and emotional health. One day, they will realize the error of their ways once the consequences have come.

10/28/2023

It’s that time of year again – CPR Month is around the corner! This November, we’re not just spreading awareness; we’re taking action. CPR Month is an annual public education campaign led by the Canadian Red Cross to raise awareness about the importance of learning CPR.

Check out this CPR music playlist filled with songs that are 100 beats per minute – the recommended beat to perform CPR. Try practicing CPR to a song on the playlist. Record your best CPR video and share it on your preferred platform using the hashtags , , , , and . Make sure to tag and in your post so our social team can re-share some of the videos on our platforms.

Let’s Go!

Bee Gees- Stayin Alive
Taylor Swift- The Man
Lady Gaga & Colby O’Donis- Just Dance
Justin Timberlake- Rock Your Body
ABBA- Dancing Queen
Mariah Carey- Fantasy
Justin Bieber- Sorry
France Gall- Ella, Elle l’a Remasterise en 2004

09/12/2023

Over the years, I questioned how certain people can do so much wrong, and never have consequences. It’s disheartening to me, as I fight to maintain goodness in my life. I was raised by wonderful parents. I watched them always do the right thing. I remember asking my mom why she allowed certain people to treat her the way they did. She replied, “Its alright, God placed me in their life for a reason.” A person who does the right thing, owns their responsibilities, lays solid foundations that will last for generations. There are more important reasons to do the right thing, and trust me, there are times that I’ve struggled. If the following mean something to you, then you will have no problems.

1. Integrity matters.
Integrity sets the example that builds the foundation our children are growing upon. Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care. It can be hard sometimes, and if you mess up, get back on track. That’s integrity. When we practice it, our lives are well lived.

2. The truth will come out.
When we benefit from questionable actions and non-ethical practices, we leave behind a trail of pain for others. If you don’t pay the price for your actions, someone else will. But what happens in the dark comes to light. That’s guaranteed.

3. Your word is your bond.
If we are ever going to truly advance our families forward, it’s important we keep our word. Show me a person who is untrustworthy and I will show you a lonely person. There are critical moments in life in which we need a friend to grab our hands and lift us up. Will anyone grab yours when the time comes? Or will others believe you’re getting what you deserve?
When people didn’t do right; I prayed for them, I realized that they’re the ones suffering. It is the best feeling. It allows me to notice the blue skies, appreciate the green grass, hear the birds singing. The universe draws the same goodness my way.

It’s either in you or it’s not.

So next time you ask yourself, why do nice people always finish last?… remember you won the race a long time ago.

08/23/2023

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is an annual global event that aims to raise awareness about opioid poisoning and reduce the stigma of drug-related death. On August 31, 2023, join the conversation to change how opioid poisoning is viewed in our communities. Learn more and spread awareness about how to reduce opioid poisoning harm through education, awareness, and training. 
 
How you can participate:

Encourage others to get involved and make a difference, including signing up for the First Aid for Opioid Poisoning Emergencies course at Redcross.ca/OHR

Free online training (45–60 minutes)

•    Learn how to respond confidently to an opioid poisoning emergency.
•    Receive a free nasal naloxone kit upon course completion*. 
•    Understand how opioids and naloxone affect the body.
•    Discover strategies to reduce stigma and gain strategies for self-care.

Who is this course for? Anyone 16 years of age and older. 

06/05/2023

It has been shown that children with high self-esteem tend to be more responsible. They are better at:

* waiting for what they want. They believe that with persistence and practice they can reach a goal.

* acknowledging their mistakes and learning from them.

* sticking to a task.

* being willing to ask for help.

* being clear about their strengths and weaknesses.

* taking risks and trying new things.

* believing that they can solve problems they encounter.

How can parents instill a high sense of self-esteem in their children? One way is by providing messages that build each of the two essential components of self-esteem, feeling lovable and feeling capable.

Feeling Lovable

Children feel lovable when they have a sense of worth, when they feel appreciated and loved for who they are, regarding themselves as important and worthy of being loved.

Feeling Capable

Children feel capable when they have a sense of power, competency and control over their lives, believe that they can handle challenges and that they are able to make a contribution to their environment, and when they feel pride in accomplishment.

It is the capable part of Self-esteem that most ties in to the Executive Role of parents and that fosters responsibility.

When children feel capable, they are more likely to meet their obligations, sign on for new tasks, try their hardest and feel good about what they do. All of these things will increase a child’s responsibility.

05/19/2023

What is the benefit of being your authentic self?

One thing I can say when I think of my late father is that he was always true to himself. This I learned at a very young age.

When we are authentic, we stay true to ourselves, and who we genuinely are. We are present in the here and now. We do what makes us happy, we follow our passions regardless of who we disappoint, or how it may be perceived by others. Living a life of authenticity is a constant effort, and means sacrifice.

Not everyone in our lives will respond well to our authentic self, because of how it may impact them. We have the opportunity for others to love us and accept us for who we are at our core. When we are being authentic, we are being vulnerable; we are showing all parts of us, the good with the bad. When we do this, we allow for more intimate and honest relationships, and we allow for true acceptance and unconditional love.

How do you know if you are being authentic?

You know you are being authentic when:
* Your job gives you a sense of purpose or fulfillment, rather than feeling drained and lacking energy .
* You believe your relationships are based off of honesty, and genuine respect for who we truly are.
* When out in social situations, you feel as though you are presenting the real you, rather than someone you’re not.
* You’re unsure of how others will respond to you, but regardless you are proud of who are and who you are being.

05/07/2023

Happy Nurses Week to all the amazing nurses out there who work tirelessly to provide the best possible care for their patients. Your selflessness and dedication to your profession is truly inspiring. Thank you for all that you do to make a difference in the lives of others. You are appreciated more than you know! 🏥💉🩺💙

04/21/2023

Thinking children just naturally grow up demonstrating perseverance, self-discipline or good frustration tolerance is unrealistic. These character traits are learned, and they’re learned from parents. Want to be sure your child will develop a good work ethic. Lead them into becoming a responsible, self-sufficient adult.
* Start chores young. It’s easier to introduce a good habit with a kid than to break a bad habit with a tween. When teaching children to work, you’ll find they typically need a lot of practice before they get it. Show them how to do a chore a few times and then work alongside them and help them do the chore.
*Model hard work in front of them. Remember: “More is caught than taught.” You can’t expect your child to work hard if they don’t see you working hard. So, be a good role model. Show pride in your accomplishments. Children are always watching and listening.

*Don’t focus on the things your child does wrong. Instead, focus on praising what they did well. Your words of praise will build your child up. They’ll be motivated and inspired to work hard and diligently.

*Treat school like a job. That’s right. Schoolwork and homework are a big part of the foundation for a good work ethic. Your child’s “job” is to keep up with schoolwork and do their best. School offers a huge opportunity to developing a work ethic.

*Don’t use bribes. When your child is lazing around rather than getting their chore done, hold back on your frustration and desire to bribe them. Telling them, “If you finish in 30 minutes, we’ll go to the park,” will only make them work for the end result, not learn the value of hard work. Talk to them about why they’re doing the work. “We need to pick up the toys so no one trips over them and gets hurt.”

*Encourage volunteering. Get your child out there to help in the community. Studies confirm this not only benefits others but develops a sense of pride in the volunteer.

Kids who persist and excel recognize that success comes from hard work and practice. When you put value in teamwork, cooperation and finishing tasks at home, your kids eventually will grow to be hardworking teens and adults.

04/11/2023

The apps and videos on the iPad were made by some very smart people and were intentionally designed to keep kids hooked and habitually watching.

Understanding that companies are motivated to keep kids spending time watching or playing is an important part of teaching media literacy.

It’s important that our kids understand the motives of the gaming companies and social networks: While these products sell us fun and connection, they also profit from our time and attention.