Staying Alive

05/11/2025

🎆 Bonfire Night is here and it’s the perfect chance to bring some safe excitement to your team, family or community. At Staying Alive Training, we believe fun and safety can go hand in hand, and with a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the sparkle without the risk.

Here are some top tips to share around your workplace or home:

✅ Use a carrot as a handle for sparklers, yes, a simple carrot! It helps little hands hold the sparkler safely and avoids contact with the hot part of the metal stick.

✅ Always set up firework displays a safe distance from the crowd and away from potential hazards such as flammable items, buildings, vehicles or animal enclosures. A well-planned layout means everyone can enjoy the show without worry.

✅ When hosting your own fireworks: light them with a long-handled lighter, ensure the fuse is fully burnt or long enough before approaching, and never go back to investigate a dud firework — it could still go off. Secure the fireworks so they can’t tip or misfire.

Despite best precautions, accidents can still happen, burns are one of the most common injuries around fireworks. Time is critical:

⛑️ Remove the person from the source of heat, once safe to do so.

⛑️ Remove jewellery or clothing around the burn area unless it is stuck to the skin (do not peel off stuck clothing).

⛑️ Cool the burn immediately under running cool water for at least 20 minutes.

⛑️ Cover the burn with cling film (laid longitudinally, not wrapped around) to protect it and reduce contamination.

⛑️ Call 999 or head to A&E if the burn is large (bigger than the casualty’s hand), deep, affects face/neck/hands/feet/joints/genitals, or if breathing is compromised.

👉🏻 Use your community, your training culture, your business to spread this awareness. Encourage staff to think ahead, plan escape routes for fireworks, designate a safe “watch area”, make it fun but mindful.

Let’s enjoy the fireworks 🎇 — but let’s make sure everyone goes home safe.

31/10/2025

23/09/2025

🔴 CPR – Adults, Children & Babies: Knowing the Difference Can Save a Life

When it comes to CPR, how you deliver it depends on the age of the casualty. Understanding why these differences exist not only makes them easier to remember but also helps you feel more confident in an emergency.

✅ Adults
- Start with 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.
- Continue this cycle (30:2).
- We begin with compressions because in adults, cardiac-related issues are the most common cause of collapse. By starting with the heart, we are targeting the area of concern immediately.

👶 Children (1 – 18 years) & Babies (under 1 year)
- Begin with 5 initial rescue breaths before starting CPR.
- Then move into 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths (30:2).
- Why the difference? In children and babies, collapse is often due to a breathing issue rather than a cardiac issue. Those first 5 breaths are vital, they may be enough to restart breathing.

⚡ Quick recap:
- Adults → Start with compressions (30:2).
- Children & Babies → Start with 5 rescue breaths, then compressions (30:2).

💡 When you know why something is done, it’s easier to remember how to do it. That’s why we make sure our training always explains the reasoning, not just the steps.

📩 Want to learn CPR and other life-saving techniques?
Contact Staying Alive: admin@stayingalive.training

Would you feel confident performing CPR if faced with an emergency?

👉 Share this post, it could help someone remember the right steps at the right time.

16/09/2025

A Life-Saving Investment: Why Your Business Needs More Than Just One First Aider

Imagine a sudden medical emergency in your workplace. A colleague collapses. Every second counts. In that moment, the presence of trained individuals can be the difference between life and death.

While many businesses have a designated number of first aiders to meet regulatory requirements, we want to challenge you to think beyond the minimum. Here's why you should consider training more of your staff in life-saving CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use.

The Stark Reality: In the UK, there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) each year. The survival rate is tragically low - less than 1 in 10 people survive an OHCA. However, when CPR is performed immediately, and an AED is used promptly, the chances of survival can more than double.
A sudden cardiac arrest is a physical and mentally demanding situation. CPR is tiring, and maintaining the correct depth and rate of compressions is crucial for effectiveness. Having more than one person trained means colleagues can swap out, ensuring that high-quality, effective CPR can continue until emergency services arrive.

Beyond the Workplace Walls: The skills you provide your employees extend far beyond the office. What if an employee witnesses a cardiac arrest on their commute, at the gym, or in a local cafe? The training you've provided could empower them to become a lifeline for a complete stranger, a friend, or a family member.

Being the person who knows what to do in a crisis is a powerful and invaluable skill. The more people who are prepared, knowledgeable, and able to help, the better chance we all have of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

By investing in comprehensive CPR and AED training for your staff, you're not just meeting a safety requirement; you're building a culture of care and preparedness that benefits everyone.
Don't wait for a life to be on the line. Take the proactive step to make your workplace, and the wider community, a safer place.

Ready to empower your team with these vital skills? Contact Staying Alive today to book your workplace training:
Email: admin@stayingalive.training
Website: www.stayingalive.training

Share this post to spread awareness about the importance of CPR and AED training!

09/09/2025

🚑 Invest in Your Team’s Growth with Flexible First Aid Training 🚑

At Staying Alive Training for Life, we know that every business is unique, and so are your training needs. That’s why we offer a wide range of blended, face-to-face, and online courses designed to give your team the confidence to act in an emergency.

✨ What we offer:
✅ Flexible in-house training - we come to you, at a time that works best.
✅ Tailored courses - designed to meet your specific requirements.
✅ Blended & online options - perfect for busy schedules.
✅ Engaging, expert trainers - with real-world experience.

Whether it’s first aid, mental health first aid, fire safety, or manual handling, we empower your team with life-saving skills and knowledge that make a difference.

📍 Learn more: www.stayingalive.training
💬 Ready to empower your team? Get in touch today: admin@stayingalive.training

28/08/2025

📢 Did you know you can complete your first aid and safety training online, anytime, anywhere? 💻🩹

At Staying Alive, we’ve made it easier than ever to upskill yourself, your family, or your team. From First Aid for Parents to Fire Marshal Training and Safeguarding in Early Years, we’ve got something for everyone.

✨ Our Online Courses include:
✔ Annual First Aid Update
✔ BLS Annual Update for Primary Care
✔ Medical Emergencies for Dental Professionals
✔ Family First Aid / First Aid for Parents
✔ Infection Control in Child Settings
✔ Fire Marshal Training / Fire Safety for Early Years
✔ Level 2 Food Safety Training
✔ Safeguarding & Child Protection (Early Years)
✔ Chaperoning in Primary Care
✔ Risk Assessment for Early Years

💡 Plus - check out our Multi-Purchase Offer:
👉 Buy 2, save 5%
👉 Buy 3, save 10%
👉 Buy 4 or more, save 15%

📩 Message us today to book your training and start learning from the comfort of home.

Because knowledge saves lives, and being prepared is priceless. ❤️

🔗 Explore courses: stayingalive.training/online-courses

19/08/2025

🚨 Would You Know What to Do? 🚨
When every second counts, confidence and knowledge can save a life.
Let’s talk CPR and defibrillators – what you need to know for adults, children, and babies.

❤️ CPR Basics: What’s the difference?

👤 Adult CPR
▪️ 30 chest compressions (at least 5–6cm deep), followed by 2 rescue breaths
▪️ Compress at a rate of 100–120 bpm
▪️ Continue until help arrives, the person shows signs of life, or you’re physically unable to continue

🧒 Child CPR (1-18)
▪️ Start with 5 rescue breaths
▪️ 30 compressions: 2 breaths
▪️ Use one or two hands depending on the size of the child
▪️ Compressions approx. 5cm deep

👶 Baby CPR (Under 1 year)
▪️ Start with 5 rescue breaths
▪️ 30 compressions: 2 breaths
▪️ Use two fingers in the centre of the chest
▪️ Compress about 4cm deep

⚡ Defibrillator Use (AED)
▪️ Turn it on and follow the voice prompts
▪️ Remove clothing and attach pads as shown
▪️ The AED will assess the heart and guide you - you can’t shock someone by accident!
▪️ Continue CPR between shocks if advised

🟨 Public Defibrillators
Many are located in train stations, shops, schools, gyms, and town centres – often in yellow or green cabinets.
🗺️ Check your area and make a mental note of where the nearest one is!

✅ You don’t need to be a medical professional – you just need to be willing to help.
💬 Learn these simple steps and give someone the best possible chance of survival.

📅 Want to train your team? Let’s make your workplace heart-safe.

📩 Get in touch for our CPR & AED training sessions.

12/08/2025

☀️ Summer Safety: Bites, Stings & When to Take Action

Summer means sunshine, BBQs…and unfortunately, it can also mean insect bites and stings. Most are harmless and clear up quickly, but some can cause serious reactions, so it’s important to know what to look out for and how to respond.

🐝 Common Signs & Symptoms
• Pain, redness, or swelling at the site
• Itchiness or a raised lump
• In some cases: nausea, dizziness, or mild fever

🚑 When to Seek Medical Attention Immediately
A bite or sting could trigger a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which is a medical emergency.
Call 999 if you notice:
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• Rapid heartbeat or confusion
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

🩹 First Aid Treatment for Bites & Stings
✅ Stay calm – most reactions are mild.
✅ Remove the stinger (if visible) by scraping it out, avoid squeezing it.
✅ Wash the area with soap and water.
✅ Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
✅ Raise the limb if possible, to help reduce swelling.
✅ Use an antihistamine if itching is troublesome (follow packet instructions).

🚫 Don’t
❌ Don’t scratch - it can cause infection.
❌ Don’t apply ice directly to skin (wrap in a cloth).
❌ Don’t try to suck out venom or cut the wound.

💡 Extra Awareness Tip
If you know you have a severe allergy, carry your adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at all times, and make sure those around you know how to use it.

Stay safe, enjoy the sunshine, and remember: knowing what to do in those first moments can make all the difference.

08/08/2025

Feel Good Friday this week comes with a different kind of energy…

This week hasn’t been the easiest, not professionally, but personally. I’ve been really open in the past about being perimenopausal, and while I’ve been taking something to help balance things out, it hasn’t been working quite as well as I hoped.

Emotionally, I’ve felt more level, which is a huge relief, but physically, I’ve been drained. Really drained. Achy, uncomfortable, and with energy levels so low, I simply couldn’t get up at my usual 5 or 6am to swim, train, or walk. Those are my feel-good moments, the ones that help me regulate my emotions and support my mental wellbeing, and not being able to do them the way I usually do was tough.

But here’s the shift…

💡 I realised I could still do them – just differently.

I swapped intense for gentle. I moved when I felt fuelled and able. I adjusted, and I listened to what my body needed, not what my schedule demanded.

This week has reminded me that healing, wellness, and strength don’t always look like “powering through.” Sometimes, they look like pausing, adapting, and trusting that this moment, however uncomfortable, will pass.

And now, on this Feel Good Friday, I’m slowly coming out the other side. I feel stronger for honouring the hard days instead of fighting them.

To anyone else navigating a challenging chapter, whether hormonal, emotional or just life being life, I see you. Keep going, keep adjusting. You’re doing better than you think ❤️