Active First Aid

08/12/2025

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (CPR)

Start compressions as soon as possible when the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally — don’t delay. 

SPEED: how fast should I push?

Aim for 100–120 compressions per minute (roughly 2 compressions every second).

DEPTH: how deep should I push?

Press down to about 5 to 6 cm (in average adults).

RECOIL: what does this mean?

Make sure all of the pressure is released between each compression. By allowing the chest to return to its normal position before pressing down again helps the heart to refill with blood ready for your next compression.

MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS: does this mean I have to just keep pushing?

Yes, keep chest compressions going with as few breaks as possible - such as to give rescue breaths (no more than 10 seconds) or swapping with another first aider (a second or two). Someone should be pushing unless a defib, or a health professional (ie paramedic) asks you to stand clear.

The best place to learn how to do this is on a first aid course. www.activefirstaid.co.uk/basic-first-aid

05/12/2025

SIMULATION

In first aid education, simulation refers to the use of realistic practice scenarios that mimic real-life emergencies so that learners can apply their skills in a controlled, safe environment. Instead of just reading or talking about what to do, candidates act out situations as though they are happening in real time.

When faced with an actual emergency, candidates who have trained through simulation often respond faster, more confidently, and with clearer judgement

01/12/2025

MERRY CHRISTMAS FOLKS

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and thank you all for your continued support throughout the year.

Your encouragement means the world.

Wishing you health, happiness, and every success as we head into 2026.

28/11/2025

PAEDIATRIC AGE GROUPS

The 2025 Resuscitation Council UK and ERC guidelines clarify paediatric age groups for resuscitation:

• Infant: under 1 year
• Child: 1–12 years
• Adolescent: 13–18 years

Although pediatric patients still include everyone aged 0–18, the key practical update is that the pediatric (child) BLS protocol now applies up to 18 years old, replacing the previous “signs of puberty” rule for switching to adult protocols.

Because most cardiac arrests in young people stem from respiratory causes, the guidelines reinforce using pediatric resuscitation, including starting with 5 rescue breaths, for all individuals up to age 18.

27/11/2025

TEACHING FIRST AID DURING COVID

Facebook just resurfaced this memory from November 2020, when I was teaching a COVID-safe outdoor first aid course. It brought back just how challenging those times were for everyone.

First aid training was considered an essential skill, so we were permitted to continue—though only under very strict safety measures. My governing body, REC, was incredibly supportive, and together we developed clear, effective protocols to keep everyone as safe as possible.

I stopped teaching in March 2020 and only returned, very cautiously, in August that year. Seeing this reminder makes me appreciate the resilience, adaptability, and teamwork that carried us all through such an uncertain period.

26/11/2025

WHAT IS FIRST AID?

First aid is the immediate help you give to someone who’s injured or suddenly unwell. It’s all about simple, quick actions that can make a big difference—things like stopping bleeding, helping someone who’s choking, using an AED etc. You don’t need to be a medical professional to give first aid; you just need some basic training and the confidence to act. Remember you can do your first aid and the person can carry on their day, you can do your first aid and take the person to get further medical help or in an EMERGENCY situation you can dial 999 and get that medical help to come to you.

How is First Aid Different from What Paramedics and Doctors Do?

• FIRST AIDERS provide initial support. Their goal is to provide immediate but temporary care of someone who is hurt or becomes unwell. They use basic skills and simple equipment.

• PARAMEDICS, NURSES and DOCTORS are trained medical professionals. They can diagnose, treat, and make medical decisions using advanced skills, medications, and medical equipment. Their job is to provide full medical care, not just immediate first steps.

In short: First aid is quick, essential help. Paramedics and doctors provide full medical treatment. Both roles matter—and first aid often makes the professionals’ job easier and safer when called upon.

25/11/2025

CHOKING CHARLIE
After his sponge bath Choking Charlie is now as fresh as a daisy. For those of you who don’t know the Choking Charlie mannequin is an adult-sized training dummy made by Laerdal Medical. It’s designed to help people learn how to do back blows and abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) to clear a blocked airway.

It’s a realistic adult torso, molded from an actual human body to give accurate features like the rib cage and jugular notch, so students know exactly what to feel for. The whole point of Charlie is to create a believable choking situation in which to practice the skills involved. Trainees can place a mock “food blockage” inside the mannequin and practice clearing it. If you perform back blows or abdominal thrusts correctly and with enough force, Charlie will actually spit out the obstruction. That instant feedback helps learners to build confidence and perfect the techniques.

25/11/2025

COPING AFTER GIVING CPR

Having performed CPR myself — with both positive and heartbreaking outcomes — I understand the intense and often overwhelming emotions that can follow once everything has settled. Yesterday, I shared a post about a successful CPR outcome involving a kayaker in an incident in Sedbergh, Cumbria. If you’ve ever had to give CPR to someone in cardiac arrest, you may find yourself in shock and possibly struggling to process what happened. The Resuscitation Council (in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation) offers invaluable guidance and support to help you work through the impact of such a profound, life-changing experience.

If you give CPR to someone it can be a shocking and traumatic event. Get information and support on what happens after someone has a cardiac arrest.

25/11/2025

NOSEBLEEDS

Nosebleeds are very common—especially in children—and are usually nothing serious. Most can be treated easily at home. Nosebleeds that require medical attention typically come from deeper inside the nose and are more common in adults. These may be caused by injury, a broken nose, conditions affecting blood vessels, or medicines such as warfarin. Sometimes the cause isn’t known.

There’s been some confusion online about how to treat a nosebleed, so here’s the current recommended guidance.

How to Treat a Nosebleed

1. Sit the person down

2. Lean them slightly forward
• This prevents blood from running down the throat which can cause coughing, vomiting, or airway issues.
• Do NOT tilt the head back.

3. Pinch the soft part of the nose
• Squeeze the soft, fleshy part just below the nasal bridge.
• Apply firm, continuous pressure.

4. Maintain that pressure for at least 10 minutes
• Do not keep checking to see if it has stopped—continuous pressure is key.
• If still bleeding, apply pressure for another 10 minutes.
• If necessary do this up to 3 times (30 mins) if still bleeding seek medical help.

5. Encourage mouth breathing
• Helps the person stay calm and reduces pressure in the nasal cavity.

Do NOT:
• Do not tilt the head back.
• Do not put tissues or cotton up the nose (can worsen bleeding).
• Do not blow the nose for several hours after bleeding stops.
• Do not pick at a crusty nose!

Seek medical help if:
• Bleeding lasts longer than 30 minutes despite proper pressure.
• The nosebleed followed a head injury.
• The person has very frequent or recurrent nosebleeds.
• The bleeding is very heavy or the person feels faint.
• The person is on anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, DOACs) or has a bleeding disorder.

24/11/2025

Amazing real life story of a successful case of CPR on a Kayaker in Sedbergh yesterday well done to everyone involved.

24/11/2025

CHOKING ADULT

Much of the adult first aid choking treatment has remained the same: escalating approach of 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts. Calling 999 early is a vital part of the choking treatment guidance. It ensures that professional medical help is already on the way if the situation gets worse.

In summary:

1. Choking can worsen very quickly

A severe blockage can cause the casualty to collapse within seconds. Early activation of emergency services reduces delays in getting help.

2. Your attempts may not work

Back blows and abdominal thrusts are effective, but not always successful. If they fail, paramedics are already en route rather than being called at the last moment.

3. Immediate CPR may be needed

If the casualty becomes unresponsive, CPR must start straight away. Having 999 on speakerphone means you can receive real-time guidance and support.

4. Paramedics bring advanced skills and equipment

Emergency crews can use airway tools, suction, oxygen, and hospital transfer — things a first aider cannot provide.

5. Speeds up medical assessment

Even when choking is relieved, abdominal thrusts can cause internal injuries. Early 999 activation means quicker access to necessary medical checks.

23/11/2025

ASSESSING LEVEL OF RESPONSE
I often see incorrect explanations of the AcVPU assessment used to determine a casualty’s level of response. This comes from a misunderstanding of the difference between C (Confusion) and V (Voice). The graphic below helps clarify this.

C – Confusion - A casualty scoring C is awake but not responding appropriately. This may present as:
• Disorientation (e.g., not knowing the time, place, or person)
• Inability to follow simple commands
• New-onset confusion compared with their normal baseline

Key idea for C – Confusion

The casualty is awake but their thinking is impaired. They are conscious and have their eyes open, but their brain is not processing information or instructions properly, leading to inappropriate, incorrect, or absent responses.

V – Voice - A casualty scoring V responds only to verbal stimuli. Signs include:
• Opening their eyes when spoken to
• Making sounds in response to voice
• Following commands only after repeated prompting

Key idea for V – Voice

The casualty responds ONLY when verbally stimulated.
They are not fully alert, but they can react—opening their eyes, making sounds, or following instructions—but only after you speak to them, repeat yourself, or use a louder/firmer voice.