Thursday, December 8, 2011

First Aid For Bee Stings

Bee stings are very deadly for some people. They are uncomfortable for those who aren't allergic to them. So it doesn't get too uncomfortable and does more damage if you or someone with you is stung by a bee, then you need to be knowledgeable for first aid for bee stings. Let us go through a few things so you know what to do when this happens.

If you know that the person is allergic to bee stings, then they should have an epipen on them. If they do, then you need to use this pen on them so that they don't go into shock. If they go into shock they could quit breathing and die. You might find that they have already quit breathing. So, in order to help them, you need to do CPR. When you do this, you also need to call 911 to get paramedics there as they will have an epipen. This is if they are allergic to bee stings.

Home First Aid

When it comes to first aid for bee stings when a person isn't allergic to bees, then you aren't in that much of a jam. You aren't in that much of a rush. Here are a few things you can do for those who aren't allergic. The first thing that you want to do is to remove the stinger. The way that you do this is that you scrape this horizontally. What you want to do is make sure that you don't use your fingers as you could cause the venom to get out and enter the blood stream.

Then, you'll want to put a cool compress on the area where the person was stung. The reason for this is that when people get stung, they normally swell up. This will reduce the swelling. Next, you might find that the person will also itch a bit on the infected area. What you can do for this is to get cream that is made for bug bites. This will take care of that itching that you will feel. It can get pretty irritating if you don't do this. So, put the person at ease. Something like Benadryl or like that can help with this. It is made just for that purpose. Here's another thing you can do if you don't have anything like this. You can do this by making a paste made out of baking soda and water. Then, you just apply this to the infected area. It's helpful to get the medication though, as it lasts longer and is a bit stronger. This will be helpful to keep them not so agitated.

These are the basics when it comes to first aid for bee stings. With summer fast approaching, the bees are going to be out, therefore, you need to know what to do for a person if they just happen to get stung. It's something useful to know. You can even do this for yourself if you happen to get stung.

First Aid For Bee Stings

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Arm Slings - How to Apply Them

Slings are generally used to support an injured arm of someone that is sitting or able to walk. Slings can also be used as a treatment for broken ribs. Arm slings are usually made with a triangular bandage and most first aid kits should have one, and always be replaced once used. There are several different types of slings used. The first is the arm sling - This is used to provide support to the lower half of the arm in either of the two following positions, horizontal or having the arm slightly raised from this. The second is the elevation sling - which provides support to the upper half of the arm by having the hand in a well raised position. This can be used to help with fractures, to help reduce swelling, to help control bleeding, and for complicated rib fractures.

How to apply an arm sling

Home First Aid

o Support the injured forearm
o Place the triangular bandage between the body and the arm
o Pass one end of the bandage through at the injured elbow, and pull to the opposite shoulder
o Spread the bandage out so that the bottom of the bandage is in line with her little finger
o Bring the lower end of the bandage up and over her arm towards the shoulder so that the ends meet
o Tie the two ends together and tuck both of the ends under the knot to help pad it and provide comfort
o Fold the point forward at her elbow and secure it with a safety pin or twist the end until the elbow is securely in place then tuck it into the sling
o Continue to make checks to the arm to make sure it is not to tight but providing enough support

How to apply an elevated sling

o Support the injured arm
o Have the casualty bring his arm up toward his opposite shoulder in the diagonal position
o Place one end of the triangular bandage over the shoulder of the uninjured arm, making sure that the point of the bandage is on the injured side of the arm
o Fold the base of the bandage under the injured arm and behind his elbow
o Bring the two ends of the bandage together and tie at the uninjured shoulder folding the ends under the knot to provide a pad making it more comfortable
o Twist the excess material at the elbow to provide a snug fit and tuck this into the sling
o Continue to make checks to the arm to make sure it is not to tight but providing enough support

In the case of an emergency where no first aid kit or triangular bandage is available items such as a tie, belt, thick twine or rope, or any material can be used to support the arm. If none of these are available an item of clothing can be used.

Arm Slings - How to Apply Them

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Headache Relief Oil - Aromatherapy First Aid Kit

Whether you use aromatherapy as a stand alone or as a complementary first aid treatment there are several aromatic oils I'd like to recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit.

My recommendations include important details for you to consider when purchasing an oil, such as its Latin Name, Country of Origin, Method of Extraction and Part of the Plant Used. I also list the best oils to consider when creating a synergistic blend.

Home First Aid

PEPPERMINT ( Mentha piperita ) - Certified Organic, Steam Distilled Leaf, England and USA have wonderful distillations.

Peppermint is a fluid, colorless oil with a fresh, distinctly penetrating scent.

Keywords: COOL & REFRESHING - Peppermint acts as a regulator and has a relaxing or invigorating effect depending on the circumstance for which you are using it.

A good blood cleanser it is both antiseptic and antibacterial!

Peppermint is well known for relieving migraine type headache, as well as headache resulting from weak or poor digestive forces, congestion or sluggish circulation.

It is also known to relieve nausea from motion sickness.

As well as being helpful for treating acne, swollen gums, mouth thrush, or ulcers and toothache.

Soak your tired feet in a foot bath with a drop or two of Peppermint (disperse oil in water by blending first with a teaspoon of honey or jojoba oil before adding to your foot bath) to relieve tired, swollen ankles and feet.

Peppermint relieves congested sinus cavities, aids concentration and is good for memory retention, restorative for mental fatigue, use alone or in a blend when studying for an exam.

Known to clears brain fog when fatigued Peppermint is great for keeping alert!

An analgesic or pain reliever use Peppermint for relieving tummy aches, or sore, achy muscles and joints.

May be used to ease a variety of skin irritations, including Poison Oak and Poison Ivy. Add a drop or two to your favorite anti-itch lotion or ointment when treating insect bites and stings.

Use as a food flavoring in recipes that call for mint, or add a drop to your favorite cooling summer drink and enjoy a refreshing break in your day!

Try a synergistic blend of Peppermint with any of the following aromatic oils: Basil, Black Pepper, Ginger, Orange, Marjoram and Rosemary.

CAUTION: Although excellent for nausea, peppermint should be avoided during pregnancy due to its stimulating properties. Peppermint cools by constricting your blood capillaries therefore please use in extremely weak dilutions. Peppermint Oil may aggravate GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease), a type of heart burn.

Please join me for my next article in this series to learn about the next essential oil I recommend you have in your Aromatherapy Essential Oil Kit - Anti-fungal and Anti-bacterial Oil.

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary and alternative health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Please consult with your physician regarding your health concerns.

KG has utilized essential oils in her energy medicine practice for more than 30 years. During that time she has facilitated healing for thousands of people suffering from personal trauma, illness and injury. Through her unique AromaTest(TM) system KG formulates essential oil blends that heal.

Please note: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use organic, or ethically wild crafted oils whenever possible.

Headache Relief Oil - Aromatherapy First Aid Kit

Friday, December 2, 2011

Texas Labor Law Posters 2011

In the State of Texas, when you employ non-relative employees, you are required to post several Workplace Posters by both State (Texas Workforce Commission) and Federal (U.S. Department of Labor) Law. They are not "optional," and by not posting them, your business could be at risk of receiving fines upwards of ,000 or more.

In general, there are 11 total posters required for Texas Employers (5 State and 6 Federal).

Home First Aid

Texas Posters:

Texas Payday Notice - last revised 07/2009

Texas Child Labor Laws - last revised 11/2007

Texas Equal Employment Opportunity - last revised 10/2009

Texas Ombudsman Program - last revised 03/2010

Texas Workers' Compensation (Offered) - last revised 10/2006

Texas Workers' Compensation (Not Offered) - last revised 02/2006

Federal Posters:

Equal Employment Opportunity (includes the new GINA laws) - last revised 11/2009

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - last revised 01/2009

Employee Polygraph Protection Act Notice - last revised 06/2003

FSLA Contains Wage Laws and the Federal Minimum Wage, .25 - last revised 07/2009

OSHA 3167 - last revised 11/2008

USERRA Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act - last revised 10/2008

These are the "basic" Texas Labor Law Posters for Texas Employers. Depending on your industry, you may have additional posting requirements.

If you are in the Healthcare Industry, you may need the following Workplace Posters:

Bloodborne Pathogens

CPR

Drug Free Workplace

First Aid

Hand Wash

HIPAA

OSHA Log 300

Sexual Harassment

OSHA Multi-Safety which includes: Lifting safety, No Smoking, OSHA Fact Sheet, Emergency Numbers, and Choking Posters

Report Injuries

Slips and Falls

Workplace Ergonomics

If you are in the Agricultural Industry, you may need the following Workplace Posters:

CPR

Drug Free Workplace

Eye Protection

First Aid

Heat Stress

Migrant Work

OSHA Multi-Safety which includes: Lifting safety, No Smoking, OSHA Fact Sheet, Emergency Numbers, and Choking Posters

National Forklift

OSHA Log 300

If you are in the Construction Industry, you may need the following Workplace Posters:

Code of Safety Practices

Construction Equipment Protection

Danger Construction

Drug Free Workplace

First Aid

Hard Hat Area

Heat Stress

OSHA Multi-Safety which includes: Lifting safety, No Smoking, OSHA Fact Sheet, Emergency Numbers, and Choking Posters

National Forklift

OSHA Log 300 Packet

Report Injuries

Slips and Falls

Suspended Loads

Watch Your Step

If you are in the Manufacturing Industry, you may need the following Workplace Posters:

Code of Safety Practices

CPR

Drug Free Workplace

Eye Protection

First Aid

National Forklift

MSDS Safety Sheet

OSHA Multi-Safety which includes: Lifting safety, No Smoking, OSHA Fact Sheet, Emergency Numbers, and Choking Posters

Report Injuries

Sexual Harassment

Slips and Falls

Violence Free Workplace

Whistleblower

If you are in the Restaurant Industry, you may need the following Workplace Posters:

Avoiding Burns

Calibrating Thermometers

CPR

Dishwashing

Drug Free Workplace

First Aid

Fryer Safety

HACCPs

Hand Washing

Knife Handling

OSHA Multi-Safety which includes: Lifting safety, No Smoking, OSHA Fact Sheet, Emergency Numbers, and Choking Posters

OSHA 300 Packet

Report Injuries

Preventing Slips and Falls

Texas Labor Law Posters 2011

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Basics of Hearing Aid Repair

A regular part of owning hearing aids is repair and maintenance, especially in the first year of use. But, proper handling of your new hearing aids can save you the trouble and money.

Why Do Hearing Aids Need Repairs?

Home First Aid

One of the biggest reasons why hearing aids need to be repaired is simply earwax and moisture. This accounts for 3/4 of all hearing aid repairs, and you can prevent it. Earwax builds up on hearing aids, especially smaller models. This is why it is particularly important to clean and take care of your hearing aids properly.

Clean your hearing aids with a warm cloth or tissue. Never let water come into contact with them, because they contain sensitive electronic parts.

Aside from getting dirty, hearing aids most often need to be repaired because of the electronics. Receivers often need to be replaced. Over a long period of time, electronics wear out, and your hearing aids may need new wiring.

The best way to save money on costly repairs is to handle your hearing aids properly, and make sure you are keeping earwax and other dirt out of them.

How Often Do I Need To Get Repairs?

Usually, smaller hearing aids need more repair and maintenance than larger ones. This means that CIC, or completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are the most often in need of repair. It's not because they are fragile and break easily, but because they require more regular maintenance than other types of hearing aids. They are also most sensitive to wax buildup.

All hearing aids need regular repairs or maintenance. With in-the-ear hearing aids, you may have to have something on it repaired every year or 15 months. In-the-canal hearing aids will need to be repaired more frequently, from 9 months to a year. And, completely-in-the-canal hearing aids will probably have to be worked on every 7 to 9 months.

Where Should I Take Them?

It is usually recommended that you take your hearing aids to an audiologist for repair, rather than sending them to the supplier.

How Much Will It Cost?

It varies quite a bit. Older hearing aids cost more to fix than newer ones, because the parts may be hard to find. Also, you will have to pay more if you have to send it to the manufacturer for repairs, rather than having it done in-house.

You should expect to pay at least 0 for circuit changes, although it could be much more.
Warrantees And Guarantees

When buying a hearing aid, make sure that your dealer carries a good warrantee. Warrantees differ by manufacturer, but you should be able to find one that covers repairs for an extended period of time. All warrantees will cover repairs in case of shoddy workmanship or faulty parts.

There should at least be a one-year full coverage warranty. When you first start wearing hearing aids, there will be some routine check-ups and maintenance, and they should be covered by your supplier.

Hearing aid repairs are covered under some insurance plans, but are not usually covered. If you wear hearing aids, you should definitely look for insurance that will pay for your maintenance and repairs.

The most common causes for hearing aid repairs, moisture and earwax buildup, are entirely preventable. Make sure to clean them with each use, and you can save money!

The Basics of Hearing Aid Repair