Maltings Training

18/11/2025

On the road again. First Aid Response Training today Pilgrim’s Food Masters

16/11/2025

FEMALE CPR
Research shows that women who collapse in public are less likely than men to receive bystander CPR.
A large study in the US (over 300,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests) found that women were about 14% less likely to receive bystander CPR and defibrillation than men. medschool.duke.edu+2obgyn.duke.edu+2
According to the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Register (OHCAR) in Ireland, bystander CPR was attempted in about 84 % of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 2022. HSE.ie+2nationalambulanceservice.ie+2
Overall, bystanders gave CPR in 37% of such instances. However, men received this assistance 45% of the time in public, compared to 39% of women. This means men were 1.23 times more likely to receive CPR from a random member of the public. Furthermore men had a 23% increased chance of survival compared to women.
Three main factors that consistently make women less likely to receive bystander CPR when they collapse in public:
1. Fear of touching a woman’s chest
Many bystanders worry about:
• being accused of inappropriate touching
• placing hands incorrectly
• hurting the person’s chest or breasts
Even though CPR is performed on the centre of the chest, not the breasts, this hesitation is one of the strongest documented barriers.
2. Misconception that women are “less likely” to be having a cardiac arrest
Women’s cardiac arrest symptoms are sometimes less stereotypical and can be misread, causing delays in recognising the emergency. People often mistake women’s symptoms for:
• fainting
• a seizure
• a panic attack
3. Fear of causing injury
Studies show some bystanders—especially men—fear breaking ribs or “doing harm” to women, who they perceive as more fragile.
In reality, cracked ribs are a likely product of performing cpr, but CPR is always worth the attempt.
SPECIAL NOTE — CPR ON WOMEN
“CPR is performed on the centre of the chest, not the breasts.
Clothing may need to be moved aside to place AED pads — this is normal and medically necessary.
Do not hesitate. CPR works the same for everyone. You’re giving that person a chance to live.

16/11/2025

Would you know the difference between a Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack ?

15/11/2025

14/11/2025

Lessons for Living Longer
People who live in the world’s Blue Zones are living longer. What are they doing to increase longevity?
Modern lifestyle including sedentary behaviour and poor eating habits are a breeding ground for chronic illness. That makes it harder for people to live longer. Yet, there are regions around the globe where people do appear to be living longer and healthier lives.
In these so-called Blue Zones, residents statistically live the longest and produce people ages 90 and above at seemingly extraordinary rates. The specific areas are Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece) and the Seventh-day Adventist religious community in Loma Linda, California (USA) (Buettner 2008).
What do they do that’s so different ?
1. Plant-Based Diets Predominate
Diet is an entrance ramp to better health. The average tofu-laced menu in Okinawa may differ from what’s on offer in a Costa Rican village, where beans and rice dominate, but a parallel among Blue Zones is that diets are predominantly plant-based.
2. Physical Activity Fills the Day
Physical activity in all Blue Zone areas involves a consistent flow of natural movements, including those involved in gardening, pounding corn by hand to make tortillas, practicing tai chi daily and shepherding livestock in the hills.
3. Purpose Defines a Long Life
Okinawnas refer to it as ikigai, which translates to “a reason to live.” Elders who begin each day with a sense of purpose and ful-fillment while recognizing how they contribute to their communities, seem to live long lives, feel positive, upbeat and happy.
4. Social Circles Reinforce Health
The Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda live in tightknit communities, while Okinawans have their moai, a social circle meant to provide support during life stressors and reinforce shared healthy behaviours. These communities focus on face-to-face time and not Facebook likes.
Ref : Buettner, D. 2008. The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. Des Moines, IA: National Geographic.

12/11/2025

Upcoming Paediatric First Aid Programme incorporating PHECC Certified Cardiac First Response. final Remaining places.

11/11/2025

Is it time to renew your First Aid Response Certification ?
PHECC FAR Certificates are valid for a 2 year period, and recertification is a 2 day course.

Upcoming course dates : November 20th / 21st.
Contact :derek@maltingsdtraining.ie
086.2625994 for details.

09/11/2025

What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when an electrical issue causes your heart to stop beating and pumping blood suddenly. The lack of blood flow to the brain and other organs can cause a person to lose consciousness, become disabled, or die if not treated immediately.
It is essential to understand that SCA is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, whereas sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. Think of a heart attack as a "circulation" or "plumbing" problem and SCA as an "electrical" problem.

08/11/2025

What is an AED ?

An AED, or Defib is the abbreviated term often used for an Automated External Defibrillator. Automated (it’s mechanised) External (it’s fitted outside the body) Defibrillator (it counteracts the process of Fibrillation). It is a portable medical device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, a condition where the heart stops beating suddenly. It analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary it can deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. AEDs are designed to be relatively easy to use and are often found in many public buildings (eg Government offices, Libraries, Schools, etc, and now more commonly in local communities and sports clubs.

What it does:
An AED can analyze the heart's rhythm and detect if it's in a dangerous, life-threatening rhythm called ventricular fibrillation. If this rhythm is detected, the AED can deliver an electric shock to help restore the heart to a normal rhythm.

How it works:
The device uses voice and visual prompts to guide the user through the steps of using the AED. It analyzes the heart rhythm, determines if a shock is necessary, and then tells the user to press the shock button.

Why it's important:
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, and early defibrillation with an AED can significantly increase a person's chances of survival.

Who can use them:
Anyone who is trained in Defibrillator use. AEDs are designed to be user-friendly, and anyone, even with no prior medical training, can learn to use them with simple instructions and training. However, a very important aspect of treatment for a collapsed casualty who has suffered a cardiac event is CPR and this goes ‘Hand – in – Hand” with AED use.