Emergency Medic Malta (2025)

04/12/2025

Emergency Medic Malta offers something pretty simple… and honestly, pretty essential.
Real, hands on first aid training that helps people feel ready instead of helpless when something suddenly goes wrong.

Maybe it’s a colleague who collapses at work.
Maybe it’s a family member who starts choking at the dinner table.
Those moments don’t wait for experts to arrive. They wait for someone nearby who actually knows what to do.

That’s where our courses come in.

We train individuals who just want to feel more capable in everyday life, and we help companies build safer, more confident teams. The sessions stay practical and grounded, the kind of learning you remember because you’ve actually tried it, not just heard about it.

It’s one of those skills you hope you’ll never need
…yet feel strangely relieved to finally learn.

If you’d like to book a course or want more details, just reach out.
Contact us at:

emergencymedicmalta@gmail.com

Emergency Medic Malta

03/12/2025

Head lice show up in this oddly humbling way, usually right when life already feels a little chaotic. One kid scratches their head in class, the school sends out a note, and suddenly every parent is checking scalps with the intensity of a detective in a crime drama.

They’re tiny, stubborn, and honestly kind of impressive in their determination. But they’re also very treatable.

Here’s the lay of the land.

Head lice aren’t a sign that someone is dirty. They’re just extremely efficient at moving from one warm, comfy head of hair to another. They don’t jump or fly; they crawl. Close contact does the rest. Once they settle in, they lay eggs called nits that cling to hair strands like they superglued themselves there.

So the trick is breaking that cycle.

Most people start with an over the counter treatment. It’s usually a medicated shampoo or lotion that you leave on for a set amount of time. Not glamorous, but effective when used exactly as the instructions say. And because some lice can be irritatingly resilient, a second round about a week later is pretty common.

Then comes the nit combing. This part tests patience, I think. You work through small sections of damp hair with a fine-toothed comb, pulling out anything that looks like a teeny beige speck stuck near the scalp. It takes a bit, but it’s oddly satisfying when you get the hang of it.

People sometimes imagine they need to deep clean their whole house like it’s been contaminated. Thankfully, no. Lice can’t survive long off a human head. A quick wash of pillowcases, hats, hairbrushes, that sort of thing, is usually plenty. Vacuuming the usual places makes sense, but you don’t need to douse your home in sprays.

The part that surprises folks is that you have to keep checking for a while. Just quick once overs of the scalp every couple of days for two weeks. It’s mostly peace of mind.

And if the over the counter stuff doesn’t seem to work, or the itching keeps getting worse, that’s when doctors step in. Prescription treatments exist and are typically straightforward.

All in all, dealing with lice is annoying, sure, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. A little methodical care, some patience with the comb, and maybe a sense of humor about it helps a lot.

Emergency Medic Malta

02/12/2025

X-ray, CT, or MRI? Here's what each scan And an overview of why your doctor might order one over the other.

Medical imaging offers multiple ways to visualize the human hand, each with unique strengths depending on what healthcare providers are looking for.

An X-ray is the most common and accessible method-it captures clear images of bones, making it ideal for diagnosing fractures, dislocations, and signs of arthritis. It works by passing a small amount of radiation through the body, which is absorbed differently by bone and soft tissue, resulting in a high-contrast image where bones appear white and air appears black.

However, when deeper detail is needed, CT scans (computed tomography) and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) come into play. ACT scan combines multiple X-ray images to create cross-sectional views, offering more precise information about complex fractures, bone tumors, or joint alignment.

Meanwhile, MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of soft tissues-including ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and nerves-making it the go-to tool for diagnosing tendon injuries, ligament tears, or nerve compression in the hand. Together, these imaging types allow doctors to see not just the bones, but the full complexity of the hand's anatomy.

Source: Mayo Clinic; Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

Emergency Medic Malta

30/11/2025

When the Festive Lights Feel Too Bright: Surviving Hard Times During the Holidays

The calendar flips to December, and suddenly the world is wrapped in twinkling lights, carols spill from every speaker, and social media feeds overflow with perfect family photos beside impossibly decorated trees. For many people, this is genuinely the “most wonderful time of the year.” For others those grieving, broke, lonely, sick, recently divorced, far from home, or simply exhausted it can feel like the cruelest.
If you’re one of them this year, please hear this first: You are not broken for feeling this way. You are not a Grinch, a failure, or “failing at Christmas.” You are a human being carrying something heavy while the world insists everyone must be light.

Why the holidays hurt more

Festive seasons magnify whatever is already there. Joy gets amplified, yes, but so do grief, loneliness, financial stress, and family conflict. There’s a name for this: the “contrast effect.” When the external script screams “Be merry!” but your internal reality whispers “I can barely get out of bed,” the gap between the two becomes painful.
Add to that:

* The pressure of forced cheer (“Smile! It’s Christmas!”)
* End-of-year reflection that highlights losses instead of gains
* Financial strain from gifts, travel, and expectations
* Missing someone who should be at the table but isn’t
* Being surrounded by people yet feeling profoundly alone
It’s no wonder su***de hotlines report their busiest periods between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

You are allowed to feel what you feel

The first and most radical act of self-care right now is permission.�You do not have to “get into the spirit.”�You do not have to pretend.�You do not owe anyone a performance of holiday joy.
Cry in the grocery store if the Christmas music guts you. Stay home from the office party if you need to. Buy fewer (or no) presents if money is tight. It’s okay. The season will survive without your forced sparkle, and so will the people who truly love you.

Practical ways to protect your heart this season

1. Lower the bar drastically�Good enough is more than enough. Paper plates for Christmas dinner? Fine. Store-bought cookies? Perfect. Skipping cards this year? Understandable.
2. Create a “safe phrase” with trusted people�Something simple like “I’m struggling today” that tells loved ones you need space or gentleness without a big explanation.
3. Build tiny anchors of comfort�A special tea only drunk in December. A playlist of songs that feel like a hug. A walk at dusk to see the lights on your own terms. One small ritual you control can steady an entire day.
4. Say no early and often�Every “no” to an overwhelming invitation is a “yes” to your wellbeing. You don’t need elaborate excuses. “Thank you, but I won’t be able to make it this year” is complete.
5. Let yourself grieve what you’ve lost�Set a timer for 10 minutes, put on the saddest song you know, and cry deliberately. Paradoxically, scheduling grief can keep it from leaking out sideways all month.
6. Reach out even if it feels pointless�Text one friend: “This season is really hard. Can we talk?” Most people feel honored to be trusted, not burdened.

A note to those who love someone who’s struggling

Please don’t say:

* “But it’s Christmas!”
* “Look on the bright side.”
* “You just need to cheer up.”

Do say:

* “I see you’re having a hard time. I’m here.”
* “Would it help if I…?” (and offer something concrete)
* Nothing at all just sit with them.
Your quiet presence is worth more than a hundred pep talks.

This season will pass

One day in January you’ll take down whatever decorations you managed (or didn’t), and the world will stop demanding joy on command. The ache may still be there, but the spotlight will be off it.
Until then, be outrageously gentle with yourself. The fact that you’re still here, still trying, still breathing through the hurt that is its own quiet bravery.
You don’t have to love this season.�You only have to survive it.�And you will.
If the weight ever feels unbearable, please reach out:

* Mental Health Helpline Malta: 1579.
* US & Canada: 988 (Su***de & Crisis Lifeline)
* UK & ROI: Samaritans 116 123.

You are enough, exactly as you are today, tomorrow, and through every dark December ahead.

Emergency Medic Malta
#1579

30/11/2025

Recognizing a stroke is one of those things you hope you never need to do, but it’s worth knowing the signs anyway. The tricky part is that strokes can look like a lot of other conditions at first… dizziness, confusion, a weird heaviness in an arm. Still, there are a few patterns that show up again and again, and they’re usually hard to miss once you know what you’re watching for.

I think the simplest place to start is with the FAST check. It’s a quick mental list, something you could run through even if your mind is racing.

Face
Take a second and look at the person’s face. If one side suddenly droops or looks different from the other, that’s a red flag. Sometimes you don’t even see it until you ask them to smile, and then it shows.

Arms
Ask them to lift both arms. A stroke can make one arm drift downward or feel oddly weak. It might look like they’re trying but the arm just won’t cooperate.

Speech
This part can be unsettling. Their words may sound slurred or muddled… or they might be saying sentences that don’t quite make sense. Even a small shift in clarity matters.

Time
If any of those signs show up, time isn’t your friend. Strokes get worse fast, and the treatments that help the most only work if they’re given early. Calling emergency services right away is the safest move. Not tomorrow. Not after seeing if it passes.

That said, those aren’t the only symptoms. There are a few others that pop up and can feel a bit scattered:

• sudden, intense headache that feels unlike their usual headaches
• trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
• confusion, almost like they’re “not fully there”
• dizziness or trouble walking, sometimes so sudden they have to grab onto something
• numbness on one side of the body

If you’re ever standing there thinking… is this a stroke or am I overreacting? It’s better to assume the worst and let professionals sort it out. Most people aren’t embarrassed later; they’re relieved someone acted.

And if it’s you feeling these symptoms, tell someone right away. Don’t wait it out or try to drive yourself. That’s one of those situations where getting help quickly genuinely changes outcomes.

In short, the moment something feels off in a way that ticks even one of these boxes, call emergency medical help. Minutes matter more than they should, and catching a stroke early often makes the difference between recovery and long-term damage.

Emergency Medic Malta

30/11/2025

Know your skin issues

Emergency Medic Malta

29/11/2025

Pulse check points Pulse

Emergency Medic Malta

28/11/2025

The Hidden Danger of Tailgating Ambulances: Why You Should Never Follow Too Closely

In emergency situations, every second counts. Ambulances racing to hospitals with lights flashing and sirens blaring are a familiar sight on our roads, and it’s natural for drivers to want to clear the way. However, a dangerous and unfortunately common practice has emerged: motorists tailgating ambulances (sometimes just a few feet behind) in an attempt to move faster through traffic. This behavior, often called “drafting” or “shadowing” an emergency vehicle, is not only illegal in most jurisdictions, it is extraordinarily risky for everyone involved.

Why Do Drivers Tailgate Ambulances?

The motivation is usually simple: frustration with congested traffic and the temptation to exploit the path an ambulance creates as other vehicles move aside. Some drivers believe that staying extremely close to the ambulance prevents other vehicles from cutting in, allowing them to “ride the wave” of cleared traffic at high speed.
What these drivers often fail to consider is that they are putting themselves, the ambulance crew, and the critically ill or injured patient at extreme risk.

The Real Dangers of Following an Ambulance Too Closely

1. Sudden and Unpredictable Stops�Ambulances frequently brake hard or stop without warning when:

• The patient’s condition suddenly deteriorates and the crew needs to pull over immediately to provide urgent care.

• The crew spots a hazard (pedestrian, debris, another emergency) that requires an instant stop.

• Road conditions change rapidly (e.g., a collision ahead, flooded areas, or ice).�At 60 mph (100 km/h), a vehicle needs approximately 240 feet (73 meters) to stop under ideal conditions. If you’re tailgating 20–30 feet behind an ambulance, a collision is inevitable.

2. Reduced Reaction Time for the Ambulance Driver�Emergency vehicle drivers already operate under immense stress. Knowing a civilian vehicle is dangerously close behind them adds unnecessary pressure and can impair split-second decision-making.

3. Blocked Access for Other Emergency Vehicles�Police cars, fire trucks, or additional ambulances responding to the same incident may be directly behind the first ambulance. Tailgaters can prevent these units from keeping up or force dangerous passing maneuvers.

4. Increased Severity of Crashes�High-speed rear-end collisions with an ambulance are often catastrophic. Ambulances are heavy, tall vehicles with a high center of gravity — a severe impact can cause them to roll or spin, endangering the patient and crew inside who may not be fully restrained during treatment.

5. Legal and Ethical Consequences
• In most countries and states, tailgating an emergency vehicle with active lights and sirens is explicitly prohibited by law (often under “failure to yield” or “following too closely” statutes).
• Penalties can include heavy fines, license points, and even jail time in cases that cause injury or death.
• Insurance companies may deny claims or pursue subrogation if you cause a collision while illegally drafting.

What the Law Says (Examples from Around the World)

• United States: The majority of states have “Move Over” laws that require drivers to move one lane away from stopped emergency vehicles, and many explicitly prohibit following within 300–500 feet when lights and sirens are active.

• United Kingdom: Regulation 219 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and the Highway Code Rule 219 state you must not follow too closely behind an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency.

• Australia: Road rules in every state prohibit following an emergency vehicle closer than the distance considered safe (typically judged by police as dangerously close behavior).

• Canada: Provincial highway traffic acts generally prohibit following emergency vehicles too closely when emergency equipment is activated.

Safe and Responsible Alternatives

If you see an ambulance with active lights and sirens:

1. Move over safely to the left or right (depending on your country’s rules) and allow it to pass.

2. Once it has passed, resume normal driving. Resist the urge to speed up and follow.

3. If traffic is gridlocked and the ambulance is stuck, remain patient, emergency crews are trained to navigate such situations.

4. Never follow an ambulance through a red light. In many jurisdictions, only the emergency vehicle itself is exempt.

A Final Note to Motorcyclists and All Drivers

Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable when tailgating ambulances. With shorter stopping distances than cars in some conditions but far less protection, a rear-end collision or sudden swerve by the ambulance can be fatal for a rider. The temptation to “slip through” traffic behind an ambulance may be even stronger on two wheels, but the risk is exponentially higher.

Clearing the road for emergency vehicles is a civic duty. Exploiting their path for personal gain is reckless, selfish, and potentially deadly.

Let the ambulance do its life-saving job without hindrance and without you becoming part of the emergency.

Stay back. Stay safe. Save lives,including your own.

🚑 Emergency Medic Malta

26/11/2025

As the year starts leaning into the festive stretch, there’s this familiar mix of excitement and chaos in the air. People rushing between gatherings, last minute shopping, the whole thing. And in all that motion, it’s surprisingly easy to forget one of the simplest truths: celebrations and driving really don’t mix well with alcohol.

I think most of us have had that moment where someone at a party waves you off with a casual “I’m fine, it was just a couple.” It feels harmless in the moment. But the thing about drinking is that it quietly blurs judgment before you even realize it. Reaction times slow. Confidence goes up. And that combination can turn a routine drive into something genuinely dangerous.

What makes it harder is that the holidays come with their own pressure. You want to be present, to join in, to not be the person who says no to a toast. But choosing not to drive afterward is still one of the most generous things you can do. For yourself, for the people you love, and honestly for the strangers who share the road with you.

And there are so many ways around it now. A designated driver. A rideshare. Sleeping over on a friend’s couch. Even just taking a slow walk home if you’re close enough. None of those choices feel glamorous, but they’re the kind that let everyone wake up the next morning with nothing worse than a headache.

So as the season ramps up, maybe just keep it in the back of your mind. Celebrate as much as you want. Enjoy the food, the noise, the late nights. But treat the drive home as part of the plan, not an afterthought. It’s a quiet decision that carries a lot of weight, even if no one else notices.

Emergency Medic Malta

24/11/2025

There’s this instinct most people have after they witness a crash. You see someone hurt, the adrenaline spikes, and your brain goes straight to do something. Pull them out. Take off the helmet. Get them upright. It feels heroic in the moment.

But the tricky part is that those good intentions can actually make things worse. A lot worse.

When a motorcyclist goes down, the forces involved are messy and unpredictable. The body gets whipped around in ways it was never designed to handle, and the neck and spine take a lot of that punishment. The helmet becomes this protective shell keeping the head stable. So the idea of yanking it off right away… I get why people reach for it, but it can be like pulling the lid off a jar while everything inside is still under pressure.

I think the same goes for pulling someone out of a car after a collision. Most of the time, unless the vehicle is on fire or about to become unsafe, leaving them exactly where they are is the safest thing you can do. Moving an injured person without knowing what’s going on inside their body can turn a hidden, manageable injury into something permanently damaging. It’s wild to think that the wrong tug in the wrong direction could be the thing that changes the outcome forever.

There’s also the panic factor. In those moments, the injured person might be confused or trying to get up, and it feels like you have to act fast. But honestly, the best thing you can do is slow everything down. Keep them as still as possible. Talk to them in that calm, steady voice people reserve for scared animals and small children. Call emergency services ( 112 ). Let the folks with training, braces, stretchers and all that quiet competence take over.

It’s not passive. It’s protective.

And maybe that’s the part people forget. Sometimes helping isn’t lifting or pulling or fixing. Sometimes it’s just holding space, keeping someone safe until the right hands get there.

Emergency Medic Malta

23/11/2025

Our Sammy is all worn out after a long week of training over at Emergency Medic Malta.

Basic First Aid Courses available, contact us at: emergencymedicmalta@gmail.com

Emergency Medic Malta

22/11/2025

Picture this for a second: you’re standing near a small fire or maybe just passing through a place where something’s burning… and that first breath hits you harder than you expect. It’s sharp, almost metallic. Your eyes sting. You cough once, then again, and you think, alright, it’s just smoke.

But smoke inhalation isn’t “just smoke”.

It’s a mix of fine particles and, in the case of toxic smoke, all sorts of nasty chemicals that get deep into your lungs. Things like carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide… stuff you really don’t want anywhere near your body. And the scary part is how quickly it can knock you off balance. You might feel lightheaded, confused, or weirdly tired. Sometimes you don’t even realize how little oxygen you’re getting until your knees go soft.

So if you ever find yourself exposed, even briefly, there are a few things to do right away. Get out of the smoky area as fast as you can, fresh air makes a huge difference. Slow your breathing if you’re panicked, because inhaling harder only drags more particles in. And honestly, if you’ve breathed in a lot of it, don’t tough it out. Seek medical help, even if you feel mostly okay. Symptoms can sneak up on you later.

And if the smoke is clearly toxic, from burning plastics, chemicals, electrical fires, treat it like an emergency right from the start. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth while you leave, avoid re-entering the area, and get checked by a professional.

It’s one of those hazards people underestimate until they’re right in the middle of it. A little caution goes a long way.

Emergency Medic Malta

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