First Aid for School Visits

Most trips and visits go ahead without incident, but the issue of safety is always front of mind for EVCs and Visit Leaders.

First Aid knowledge is vital for everyone, especially for adults taking children and young people on educational visits. It is the establishments’ responsibility to keep everyone safe on a visit, so being prepared and having staff members qualified to deliver first aid can ensure an successful trip for everyone.

Here at Strong Roots Training, we specialise in providing schools with first aid training. To help make sure you’re first aid covered on your educational visits, we’ve compiled this handy checklist.

Remember: any first aid courses your team takes need to cover what the individual would have to do in practice and be delivered by a suitable training provider.

There is also specific legislation that schools need to follow to ensure the safety of everyone attending the trip, as well as OEAP National Guidance – find out more at oeapng.info.

Be prepared for first aid

  • Complete an assessment to determine first aid provision on-site, off-site provision is an extension of this.

  • At least one adult who attends the trip must have knowledge of basic first aid and should be competent to use the first aid kit. (This will depend on the off-site activity or visit).

  • Early Years Foundation Stage visits need to have at least one adult who holds a current paediatric first aid qualification.

  • In remote supervision situations – such as a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition – the supervisor should ensure the group is able to contact qualified first aid support and have the appropriate level of competence and first aid materials to look after themselves until help arrives.

  • Emergency medication must be considered in the planning of any trip. For example, for a child who has been prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors for anaphylaxis, two of these should be taken on a visit; for a child that has asthma, an inhaler should be taken.

  • Keep a record. All first aid given should be recorded and reported following the schools’ reporting requirements, including any accident and incident forms complying with RIDDOR regulations. Systems like EVOLVE Accident Book make this process easier and more robust.

To access the article or The EVC Magazine please visit https://read.theevcmagazine.online/app/EVO777

For more information on our First Aid for Educational Visits Course please go to https://www.strongrootstraining.com/first-aid-for-educational-visits

Hay fever season is almost upon us!

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen.

 The symptoms of hay fever include sneezing and coughing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, throat or nose, headache, earache, loss of smell and feeling tired. The immune system overreacts to these allergens by producing antibodies that trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals in the body. This causes inflammation in the nasal passages and leads to the characteristic symptoms of hay fever. If you have asthma, you may also experience a tight feeling in your chest, be short of breath or have a wheeze or cough.

 What can you do?

There are many treatments and preventative measures available for you to try:

·       Antihistamines

·       Decongestants

·       Nasal sprays

·       Putting Vaseline inside your nostrils

·       Wear wraparound sunglasses

·       Keep windows and doors shut

·       Stay indoors as much as possible

·       Drying clothes inside

·       Not cutting grass

·       Not keeping fresh flowers in the house

·       Not smoking or being around people smoking

·       Allergy shots are also an option for those with severe allergies.

 Hayfever is a common condition that can be managed with proper treatment and preventative measures.

 You can also get advice from your pharmacist or GP.

 To find out more about our First Aid courses please visit https://www.strongrootstraining.com/first-aid-courses

Festive First Aid

The festive season is just around the corner and we at Strong Roots Training are feeling jolly! The festivities bring lots of fun and good cheer to our homes, work environments and schools. However, in the most joyful way we would like to highlight some of the precautions everyone can take to ensure the whole festive season is enjoyable and injury free!

First things first, a well-stocked First Aid Kit for when accidents do happen. For information about what items should be included follow the NHS link.

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-keep-in-my-first-aid-kit/

Be safe when decking the halls with bright lights and sparkles.

·       Turn off and unplug all lights overnight and when you leave the house,

·       Do not overload sockets,

·       Check Fairy lights before use,

·       Ensure lights and electrical wires are secured to avoid tripping hazards,

·       Dispose of wrapping paper or plastic packaging to avoid choking, especially if you have small children and/or pets in the house.

When cooking up a festive feast, ensure all enjoy full tummies and not burnt fingers.

·       We often use more pots and pans at Christmas than any other time of year, ensure you have proper, good quality oven gloves, tea towels cause burns!

·       Try to avoid a kitchen party whilst cooking. However lovely it is to get everyone involved, beware of a crowded kitchen.

·       Ensure that if cooking with children, the excited little ones know not to touch hot pans or sharp utensils.

If anyone does suffer a burn, follow these steps below:

1.      Cool the burn

Use cold running water for a full 20 minutes (immediate cooling is best but is still beneficial even 3 hours after the burn.)

Avoid hypothermia- cool the burn but warm the rest of the body.

 2.     Remove jewellery and loose clothing

Do this very gently and carefully, before the area starts to swell. DO NOT remove anything that is stuck to the burn.

3.     Cover the burn

Cover the cooled burn with a dressing that will not stick. Cling film is ideal (discard the first two turns of the film and ‘lay’ it on the burn, don’t wrap it around.) Alternatives include a new plastic bag, a low-adherent dressing, or a clean lint free cloth. Do not use cling film on the face.

NEVER rely on ‘burn dressings’ to cool a burn- use cold water for 20 minutes.

If the burn appears severe call 999 for emergency help.

NEVER COOL THE BURN USING ICE, BURST BLISTERS, TOUCH THE BURN, APPLY CREAMS, OINTMENTS OR FATS, APPLY ADHESIVE DRESSINGS, OR REMOVE CLOTHING THAT HAS STUCK TO THE BURN.

If anyone cuts themselves whilst preparing the food thoroughly irrigate superficial cuts with a large volume of drinkable water so there is no foreign matter in the wound. Slightly warm water can be more comfortable. Pat the wound dry with a sterile swab then cover with a sterile plaster or low adherent dressing.

If there is a lot of bleeding press firmly on the wound with a clean towel, press until the bleeding stops this may take 10 or more minutes, if possible, raise the limb. Then complete the steps above.

If after reading this, you feel the need to refresh your first aid knowledge before the festivities begin, please follow the link to our quick online course.

https://www.strongrootstraining.com/elearning

As lovely as Christmas is it can be a very overwhelming and stressful time especially with the cost-of-living crisis at the moment. Creating fun memories with your family can last a lifetime try playing games, watching movies, dancing to music, snuggling with a hot chocolate. Please don’t let the pressure of presents get to you. Quality family time can be the best present of all. If you are struggling with food, there are many community hubs set up now to help you.

If your mental health is suffering, please talk to someone. Remember it is ok not to be ok and there are support networks out there to help you.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!