Unbelievable, but the extreme temperatures have broken more than four decades of
records for frigid weather in GTA. Not only have we received lots of snow, but the
Region
has been under a cold alert for a total of 30 days already. Such
weather conditions give rise to emergencies that can happen anywhere and
at any time. These could be natural or medical
emergencies. How can we be prepared? This blog speaks to first aid and other medical tactics
that can be helpful in such extreme weather.
Whether one is waiting for public
transit, shovelling snow, or working outdoors, hypothermia or frost bite is
a very real threat.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses
heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body
temperature which can affect the
heart, nervous system and other organs. It is primarily caused by
exposure to cold weather. I’m sharing a few tips
on how to stay safe this winter.
1.
Keep track of weather conditions
through updates from radio, television and internet. Remember to dress
adequately, and use the right transportation for
the weather.
2.
Keep a 3D Survival Kit at home and in your vehicle. Do you know what goes inside this kit? Everything that will help you survive for a few days should you
be stranded in the cold or stuck at home. You can learn more about the 3D Survival Kit at
http://www.sja.ca/English/
3.
A first aid kit is important to have
whether you are at home, work or on the road. There are different kinds
of kits to suit your needs and you can check with your local Mississauga
branch of St. John Ambulance to learn more.
First aid kits are also available at pharmacies or departmental stores.
4.
Next, I would highly recommend getting
First Aid and CPR training. You never know when you might need to save a loved one’s life. Let’s not forget that when the weather
is bad, even the ambulances can take
a bit longer
than usual to respond. Knowing first aid and CPR can make a huge
difference during a medical emergency. If you are an employer, it’s a
good idea to ensure that you have a first-aid
trained worker available at work at all times when work is in progress.
February is heart
month. What could be better than learning the skills to save a heart!
Learn CPR. Learn first aid. You can take a course from a variety
of organizations like St. John Ambulance, Red Cross Society, Heart and
Stroke Foundation, Life Saving Society, to name a few. They even offer courses for children. Do you have more tips on medical emergencies or a life-saving story to share? Please comment below.
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