First Aid 11

The days are shorter, the weather colder, and every time you step into an elevator at least one person is sniffling. It’s that time of year! The season might be unavoidable, but there are steps you can take to keep yourself and those around you healthy.

It’s that time of year when many school sports are in full swing, along with minor hockey, basketball and many other activities. As parents and coaches, we cheer on our athletes, encourage them to give their best effort, congratulate them on the wins and console them after tough losses. But there’s another important role we can play on the sidelines to keep the play fun and safe for all young athletes.

Today is World Mental Health Day, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is calling for increased recognition to the mental health consequences of humanitarian crises. It is also advocating for increased action in addressing the critical gaps that exist in providing mental health supports and services.

While the holidays can be an exciting time, it can also be a difficult time for some of us. Even for those surrounded by festivities, food and family, it can be a time when we feel alone, disconnected or isolated, for many reasons, which affects our sense of wellbeing and mental health. Here, we’ve gathered some information on stress, and tips for taking care of yourself and others. 

The evening in February began as a celebration of the Okotoks Dawgs baseball team at its annual banquet dinner – and ended early when the guest speaker had a medical emergency.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame member and renowned sports journalist and author Bob Elliott was just minutes into his speech when he went into cardiac arrest and lost consciousness.
 

Recently, I had a couple panic-inducing situations with my five-year-old nephew where I was very glad I had the Canadian Red Cross First Aid app on my phone. It helped mitigate some natural-born panic and saved my nephew some pain since my natural instincts were in direct opposition to what I should do to properly care for him.

It’s the time of year when many schools have a spring or March break and often families will take advantage of the time off to travel or get active. Whether it’s preparing to take a tropical trip or getting ready to entertain out-of-school youth, here are some tips to get ready.

When many of us think of first aid, we picture bandages and CPR - but first aid isn't just a life-saving and harm-reducing intervention for physical injuries. This is where psycholigcal first aid comes in, responding to mental health crisis, and helping to reduce the stigma around mental health.