Key2Act

22/03/2020

Over the last week or so, and possibly longer, there has been a range of misinformation and non-medically based advice regarding how to approach COVID-19 (also known as Corona Virus and SARS-COV 2).

Of interest was the extremely ridiculous suggestion to spraying water up your nose while holding a running hair dryer.

Here is some reasoned and researched information as to why self isolation is an excellent, if somewhat difficult, idea. Let’s and reduce the pressure on the hospitals and essential services.

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17/03/2020

We can help limit this disease.

We all have a role play to help stop the spread of .

= help stop the spread.

Practice protective measures:

• Wash hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.

• Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.

• Stay at home if you feel sick. If you take medication make sure you have enough.

• Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep.

Remember: COVID-19 spreads through close contact with an infected person; mostly face-to-face or within a household.

And wearing a face mask is not necessary if you are well.

For the latest reliable advice visit http://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

23/02/2019

I love watching live-action style medical related shows. Even the famed Bondi Rescue is a great teaching tool for CPR.

However, tonight during a replay of an episode from 2017, I saw something extremely disturbing and worthy of correcting before somebody else does the same thing.

One of the members was called on to administer an EpiPen to a patient with a possible anaphylactic event. Time is of the essence when dealing with anaphylaxis and if there is any doubt, the EpiPen must be used. Of this, I have no issue.

Placement of the auto injecting device needs to be on the outside of the thigh. Injection into the front of the thigh is extremely dangerous as the adrenaline can cause a rapid ride in blood pressure. The rescuer, in this instance, did inject into the front of the thigh. Proper training in the use of an EpiPen should have students placing, not stabbing or slamming, the auto injector into the outside of the upper thigh.

The second and even more serious problem is one that is rarely taught. When the casualty was stood up, she immediately became unconscious and collapsed. The casualty suffered a massive loss of blood pressure when she was placed in the upright position. This condition is known as Empty Left Ventricular Syndrome and is potentially fatal. Under no circumstances must a casualty be sat fully upright or allowed to stand as they can go into cardiac arrest.

Casualties must always be treated at ground/floor level. EpiPens should be administered to the outside, upper thigh. They should then given lots of rest and reassurance before arrival of Paramedics. Under no circumstances should be moved from a horizontal or semi recumbent position even to transfer them to an ambulance stretcher.

For further training in Anaphylaxis, always keep your first aid training up to date with a reputable training organisation like First Aid Training Group Pty Ltd.

19/06/2018

The boss is attending the RCH Trauma Evening on the A-Z of Children’s Burns. There should be a lot to learn this evening. The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

To watch, go to

30/04/2018

Now is the time to organise your flu shots. Not sure about the flu or need some more information? Check out the Better Health website https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/you-never-forget-the-flu?utm_source=HomePage&utm_medium=leader&utm_campaign=Flu-Campaign&utm_expid=15636494-7.6-xq44PLQuqW1VvRw5eN1Q.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F81lGmgIJzV

While the immunisation only lasts a limited tile, the best window has now arrived. The junior members of the Key2Act family are off tomorrow to get their coverage. Time to get immunised.

A Victorian Government campaign to raise awareness about influenza and the importance of immunisation.

24/04/2018

For those that did not come home and those that did but were no longer whole, we will remember their sacrifice. The combat medics, the army nurses, the doctors, and the medivac crews see the worst of war’s horrors and we acknowledge their sacrifices too.

Do not celebrate war for it is horrible but respectfully honour the fallen. They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Lest we forget.

05/04/2018

It might seem frustrating that your call to Triple Zero gets passed on to a secondary call taker but they are there to help. REFCOMM is an important service to allow callers to reach the correct help that they need.

Well done, Ambulance Victoria. Keep up the great work.

31/03/2018

Don't forget to wind your clocks and watches back one hour tonight before you go to bed. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep and a few weeks of brighter mornings.

26/03/2018

Don’t be fooled by the sunny conditions. It was a hairy old day with winds in the 55-65km/h range at a competition swim, making it more like an open water swim rather than on a lake.

The topic:
Given the wild and blustery conditions, one of the biggest concerns in this environment is hypothermia both from the water (conduction) and from the wind (evaporation).

Swimmers removed from the water need to rugged up, sheltered from the weather, and allowed to warm up from the inside out.

The fact that they are in wetsuits for an event like this is actually an advantage. The neoprene material will trap some warm air around the body and act as an insulator. But they will still need extra layers.

Of the most concern is if they begin presenting with stiff muscles, reduced physical or mental capacity, and stop shivering. In this circumstance, severe hypothermia should be suspected. It will require urgent hospitalisation. Meanwhile keep warming the casualty with *warm*, sweet fluids. Do not massage them or give them alcohol or caffeine.

The take home message:
No matter the age, given the environmental conditions, the type of exercise, and the water places any competitor at risk of hypothermia. Warming must be commenced with warm **not hot** and sweet fluids, given extra layers and protected from the weather. Warming must be done slowly to ensure no further harm comes to the casualty.

19/03/2018

TURNS out timing really is everything, even when it comes to getting the flu shot.

09/03/2018

The more people know CPR, the better the survival rates. Victoria is at least sitting on the average for bystanders helping but we can always do better.

PEOPLE who receive CPR from a bystander are more than twice as likely to survive cardiac arrest than those forced to wait for emergency medical help, however, six out of 10 do not receive the support they need.