Assessing a Casualty in First Aid: You Could Save Someone's Life

Correctly assessing a casualty in first aid could help you save the life of someone you love, as well as others.

What is a casualty? According to dictionary.com, the word casualty commonly refers to war victims, as “a member of the armed forces lost to service through death, wounds, sickness, capture or because his or her whereabouts or condition cannot be determined”. In day-to-day life, casualty also refers to individuals in life threatening situations.

How can you assess a casualty appropriately? What you need to do in terms of assessing a casualty in first aid, initially depends upon the situation at hand. Each situation will be unique. The accuracy of your assessment skills in first aid may be critical in life and death situations.

The web site “Firstaid.ph” offers some important guidelines for assessing a casualty in different kinds of situations. 

Consider these basic factors with respect to assessment in first aid.

Safety

Assess the situation for your own safety, but do not panic. Being able to assist anyone in an emergency depends upon how safe you are in the situation. Thus, your first assessment in an emergency should be with respect to whether or not it is safe for you to try to act or intervene. It is important to ensure the safety of others as well, so taking immediate control of the situation may prove crucial.  

Assistance

Your initial assessment of an emergency should include an immediate call for help. Call 911, or designate someone else to call for assistance. Alerting others to what is happening is important, as while you may be able to assist another person, it may prove too precarious alone. You may be able to instruct others, so they can assist you. 

Airway, breathing and circulation first aid measures

Once you know that intervention on your part is safe, approach the casualty cautiously. Is he or she conscious? Check the casualty’s airway, breathing and circulation. If necessary, start CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) and apply pressure if the casualty is hemorrhaging. He or she may be in a state of shock and need a blanket to keep warm. Elevation of the casualty’s head may help his or her breathing. 

Information

Identify the casualty and note pertinent information for medical personnel. Is there contact information with respect to family members? Check the casualty’s current medication and note any medical treatment he or she may be receiving. The information that you obtain is vital with respect to appropriate medical treatment. Does he or she have allergies? Is he or she a diabetic?

Stabilization

Stabilization of vital signs and the general medical status of the casualty is important, so document his or her heart rate, pulse and breathing rate at regular intervals, as well as any changes. Check his or her blood pressure regularly. Ensure that he or she is in a stable condition before attempting to move him or her to a more appropriate location. Use caution and appropriate splinting with respect to moving anyone with head or spinal injuries and other fractures. Record burns, bruises or abrasions.

Evidence

If the cause of the casualty is undetermined, there may be other issues to consider. When there appears to be evidence of criminal activity, like the use of weapons or drug abuse, focus on the status of the casualty first, but note what appears to have happened without removing any of the evidence.

Report

Accurate documentation and reporting your observations and first aid measures you have taken, will help ensure continuity of care when the casualty goes to an emergency facility for further medical treatment.

Remember that upgrading your first aid assessment skills on a regular basis will prove beneficial in any emergency.

How to Be a Good Mentor: The Art of Mentoring

Becoming a mentor can be interesting, challenging and exciting, particularly when those you are mentoring acquire an understanding of what you have been teaching them, or are successful at developing new skills.

Everyone needs to fulfill their potential, and thus, as a mentor for others, you can help people of all ages. It is important to understand what mentoring entails in order to be a good mentor.

What is mentoring?

The article entitled “What is mentoring?” suggests that

"Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be."

The word mentee refers to the person taught by the mentor. Traditionally, a mentee (or student) would sit at the feet of his or her mentor or teacher, learning what he or she has the gift to teach.

Schools, colleges or universities appoint mentors for gifted students, as well as others who may benefit from one-to-one teaching or skills training. Mentors also work in various settings in the community, where one person with a higher level of expertise, or a specific skill, demonstrates the ability to guide another person in the learning process.  

There are a number of important steps to consider with respect to being a good mentor and thereby an effective mentor to a mentee. These include being a friend, confidant, counselor, adviser and teacher. How to be a good mentor involves developing higher skills in all five areas.

Friend

Many effective mentors begin mentoring by becoming friends with someone. Ideally, there is an attitude of mutual respect, the ability to form healthy, interpersonal relationships and to communicate effectively towards the acquisition of knowledge, or skills of various kinds. Building a friendship can take time.  

Confidant

As a relationship between a potential mentor and his or her mentee begins to grow beyond the level of friendship, they start to develop a mutual trust relationship. In other words, the prospective mentee trusts the mentor and is able to confide in him or her. The mentor does not betray his or her confidence and learns to trust the mentee. It is not always easy to establish a trust relationship.      

Counselor

The mentor gradually becomes aware that he or she is in a good position to counsel the mentee. He or she employs instinctive or learned counseling skills appropriate for helping the mentee to understand him or herself, as well as helping him or her to comprehend his or her potential. Encouragement and support are extremely important in counseling.     

Adviser

The mentor acts in the capacity of a sound adviser offering appropriate advice to the mentee. The mentee begins to act on the advice the mentor has to offer him or her. At times, the mentee may questions the advice, but the mentor is able to respond appropriately.  

Teacher

The role of mentor as teacher continues to evolve over time, as the mentee realizes that he or she desires to learn something that the mentor is able to teach him or her. The mentee welcomes the teaching, realizing that he or she is learning how to manage his or her own education and how to maximize his or her own potential.  

At some point in time, the mentor realizes that the mentee has learned what he or she has been teaching him or her, including various skills. He or she may refer to the mentee to a higher, educational facility. Mentors and mentees often remain good friends for life. Many mentees become effective mentors for others, as well. 

Tips For Finding the Perfect Mentor: How to Find the Perfect Mentor

When you are making a career choice, finding the perfect mentor is not always easy. You probably have some idea of what you want to do career wise, but may not know where to begin. Ideally, the perfect mentor should be someone trustworthy, who is able to assist you.

Understanding the word mentor can make a difference when you are looking for a perfect mentor.

What is a mentor?

Dictionary.com suggests that a mentor is “a wise and trusted counselor or teacher” or perhaps “an influential sponsor or supporter”. 

Qualifications of the mentor

It is always a good idea to search for a mentor who is familiar with your chosen career, and is qualified to advise you with respect to your potential academic options. If you are able to find someone who already has a legitimate degree and recent experience in your chosen field, that is even better, as he or she will be able to guide you in the right direction.     

Consider your cost

Your mentor should be able to advise you with respect to the potential cost involved in pursuing the education you need for your chosen career. If you cannot afford to take college or university courses, he or she may be able to find an appropriate sponsor, who is willing and able to assist you financially. For example, a gifted student may receive a bursary, if someone is encouraged to do so by a mentor. An example of this might be partial or full tuition from an individual. A bursary may be available for a needy student through an organization. Your mentor should not charge you for offering his or her advice on the cost of your education.    

Strive to become friends

Your ideal mentor should become your friend and later on, your confidant, so building an effective, mutual trust relationship with him or her from the beginning is important. Remember that there is no such thing as a perfect friend and until you are familiar with your mentor and know that he or she can be trusted, it is a good idea to be cautious with respect to revealing personal information.

Find a one-to-one teacher

Ideally, your mentor should prove to be an excellent one-to-one teacher, willing and able to work with you as an individual. This is important in a mentoring relationship. Look for a mentor who relates well to you on a one-to-one basis, as this will increase your likelihood of success. You should be able to relate to him or her, as well.

Note that not all teachers relate well to students on a one-to-one basis, but some may to mentor specific, gifted individuals. Personality conflicts may arise. If you encounter conflict or problems, discuss the concerns immediately, with your prospective mentor in order to resolve issues of concern. If necessary, request a referral to another teacher who is able to mentor you more appropriately. For example, one mentor may prefer medical students rather than social science students. Another may prefer mentoring older students, as opposed to younger students.

Be prepared to work hard in conjunction with your chosen mentor. If you do, he or she will acknowledge you as a serious student, capable of achieving the fullness of your potential, under his or her tutelage. You are likely to become friends for life. You may even follow his or her example and become a mentor to others.  

How to Kick the Habit of Biting Your Nails: How Important Are Your Fingernails to You?

Biting one's nails can be an embarrassing habit for any child, teenager or adult. At times, it may seem like a compulsion, or it may just be a difficult habit to break, but there is hope for anyone who is a nail biter, even as a baby boomer or senior.  

Consider the following with respect to how to kick the habit of biting your nails:

Why do you bite your nails? 

The article entitled "How to stop nail biting" suggests that stress, boredom, loneliness and frustration can be the cause of nail biting.  

Begin by asking yourself why you bite your nails, because if you can discover the reason for it, you may be able to break the habit more easily. For example, are you are a unique individual who has fingernails that tend to be very soft, chip easily and break continually? If you are, you probably envy those who are born with strong, thick fingernails. Everyone’s fingernails are different.

Are you trying to give yourself a manicure?

You may be instinctively trying to give yourself a manicure by biting your fingernails. This can be true with respect to children, teenagers and adults of any age. A problem arises if you get into the habit of biting them continually. You may also develop painful hangnails. Even the tips of your fingers can become raw.   

Is your nail biting habit the result of stress?

Perhaps you are nervous and responding knowingly or unknowingly, to something that is happening, or to someone who is being overbearing. An infant responds to stress, as well as hunger, by putting something in his or her mouth. Are you reacting the same way, but taking it further and biting you nails, too?

How important are your fingernails to you?

Your fingernails are important with respect to style, beauty and your general appearance. Just how important they are to you depends a lot on your parents, your siblings and peers, who want you to look your best at all times.

Take pride in your fingernails

Begin to take pride in the appearance of your fingernails. If you feel even slightly embarrassed by how they look, you will realize that becoming proactive with respect to breaking the habit of biting your fingernails is important to you. 

Assume control of your nail biting habit

You can assume control of your nail biting habit, if you make it a conscious effort to do so. Recognize that nail biting is a habit that can be broken, and make a proactive decision to stop biting your nails. Mark down the date of your decision for future reference. It may seem an almost impossible challenge at first, but don't give up.   

Learn how to use a manicure set

Purchase a good manicure set and learn how to use it properly, so that you can give yourself a manicure on a regular basis, even as often as weekly. When your nails are chipping or breaking, that is an indication that using the nail clippers to trim your fingernails may be a good idea. Keeping your fingernails relatively short at first, may help to eliminate your need to bite them. After you have clipped your fingernails, use a good fingernail file to remove any roughness.

Keep your hands and fingernails clean

Keep your fingernails clean, as your nail biting habit may be an unconscious effort to keep them clean. Wash your hands regularly, and use a good hand cream to keep your skin soft.  

Did you just start to bite your fingernails again?

If you fail and start biting your nails again, ask yourself why. What triggered your need to bite your fingernails, in the first place? Remind yourself that you do not need to bite your fingernails when you feel shy, frightened, tired, or whatever. Instead of biting your fingernails try having a light snack, but be careful on your choice of snack food, as you do not want to substitute overeating for nail biting.

Find a professional manicurist

You may want to consider having a professional manicure. Find out how professionals keep their nails looking so great. What kinds of tips can they offer you? What kinds of products do they use?

Find a nail polish that is right for you

Not everyone likes the feeling or smell of fingernail polish. In fact, using fingernail polish may increase the urge to bite your nails because it feels uncomfortable. In other words, it may not seem natural to you, even though you like the way it looks. If you can tolerate fingernail polish, learn how to apply it correctly. Use nail polish remover rather than chipping at your fingernail polish to remove it. Fingernail remover works so much better, but it is a chemical and you may have problems with it.

Have regular manicures

Set a date and a time for a regular manicure, so you know when you will be having your nails trimmed. Wait and try not to bite them even once before that date, as you can slip back into the habit of biting your nails. If you do, start all over again, taking a single step at a time.

In today’s world, both young men and women take pride in having their fingernails look picture perfect, and are willing to do whatever it takes to be happy with them. With the wide gamut of fingernail products that are available on the market, any color combination is possible. Become proactive and a motivator by setting a good example for others and making good personal choices about your fingernails.

Enjoying the Holidays Without Gaining Weight: How to Avoid a Holiday Weight Gain

Would you like to know the secret of enjoying the holidays without gaining weight? There are two key factors; the first is healthy eating and the second is getting appropriate exercise.

The article entitled "Low calorie appetizers" offers excellent suggestions for entertaining over the holidays. 

Consider the following tips, as well. 

Avoiding stress

Stress is one of the major reasons why you may not enjoy the holidays and are likely to be in the position of eating and gaining weight. Eating relieves stress, but over-eating causes more stress particularly when it results in an excessive weight gain. Make a note of the things that you can do to avoid stress, follow through on them and you will not have to resolve the problem related to stress and overeating that results in weight gain.  

What do you really enjoy eating?

You have, like everyone else, certain foods that you enjoy eating during the holiday season. Some may cause you to experience a holiday weight gain, unless you learn how to regulate the amounts that you consume. Portion size is everything! Determine an appropriate portion for the food that you enjoy eating and adhere to that portion size during the holidays. You will enjoy those foods that are special to you and know that you have not over-indulged on them.       

What do you not enjoy eating?

You know that there are specific foods that you do not enjoy eating, but may eat them because you want to please others, or to be polite. By eating them, you risk an unnecessary weight gain over the holiday season.

You have an individual palate with distinct preferences, so learn how to say no politely to foods that you do not enjoy eating. Savor the ones that you do enjoy.

What are you cooking?

If you are the designated cook, you have the role in the decision-making process with respect to planning your holiday menu. You also have a major role when it comes to shopping for the produce you need to prepare your menu. Do some serous research and see if you can find relatively low calorie, healthy foods that will be appropriate for your guests, including children. If you consult your family and guests, prior to the meal that you are planning, you will find they are happy to have a healthy holiday dinner. Remember that many of them may already over-indulged, are embarrassed about it and may be less than happy with any further weight gain.

What are you serving for beverages?      

High calorie beverages can cause unexpected weight gains, as the calories tend to add up quickly. If you are preparing beverages for your guests, find out how to substitute low calorie, fruit juices by making a health-oriented punch for everyone, including children. Place limits on high calorie and alcohol related beverages for everyone, and they will love you for it.   

Your ingenuity can help you and others to enjoy the holidays without any fear of gaining weight, or the added stress of over-indulging in food or beverages.

Remember that skating, skiing and tobogganing are excellent exercise for everyone and fun too; so are other outside activities like building snowmen, snow boarding or hiking, or inside exercises like dancing and exercise routines.

Prepare to enjoy your holidays, knowing that you are doing your part to enjoy the holidays without gaining weight, or causing others to gain any excess weight.      

How to Protect Your Feet From Cold Weather Injuries: Beware of Frost Nip and Frost Bite

Tips for protecting your feet from cold weather injuries:

Having healthy feet is important for your mobility, so proper foot care is always indicated particularly when the weather turns cold. Probably the most important tip to remember is always wear dry, warm and stable, insulated, snow boots when you are outside in the cold weather, as recommended in the article entitled, “Protect feet from cold weather”.        

Frost nip versus frostbite

It is important to know the difference between frost nip and frostbite, in order to prevent cold weather injuries to your feet. “Protect your feet from cold weather” distinguishes between frost nip and frostbite, suggesting that frost nip is a mild form of frostbite, where there are patches of white or yellow skin with accompanying numbness in your toes or limbs. If you are healthy, you will experience a stinging feeling as they warm up.

Frostbite to your feet is more serious and requires immediate medical attention, as the deep flesh beneath the skin is actually frozen. There is crystal formation, blistering, a distinct change of skin color from healthy pink to black, as well as loss of feeling in the affected limbs. Note that frost nip can quickly become serious frostbite, which can result in the loss of limbs.

Maintain adequate circulation to your feet

Anyone with circulation problems like diabetes or kidney disease is particularly vulnerable when it comes to frost nip and frostbite. Thus, it is important to maintain good circulation in your limbs, regardless of where you are or what you are doing, particularly in the wintertime. Avoid sitting for long periods, as staying physically active will help to maintain and improve the circulation in your legs and feet.

Cleanliness to prevent infections

Cleanliness is vital in preventing foot infections, so regular foot care is essential during the cold months. Seek immediate medical treatment when indicated for infection or injuries. 

Choice of footwear

Your choice of proper footwear in the cold weather is crucial. Note the importance of wearing socks and insoles that take moisture away from your skin, so that your feet stay dry. Wearing cotton or wool socks will help keep your feet warm.  

General health status

While much of foot care is common sense, your general health status is important, too. Remember that avoiding nerve damage incurred by poor circulation from excessive use of alcohol or nicotine, will ensure that you have healthy limbs and feet. Adequate hydration and nutrition will improve circulation to your limbs; so will increasing your level of physical activity.   

Safety concerns

There are safety factors with respect to taking care of your feet when you are skating, skiing or walking in snow or on ice, as injuries occur quickly. Make certain that you are wearing appropriate footwear for your activity and weather conditions including large snowfalls or freezing rain. In other words, be prepared for any kind of weather and dress appropriately, so that your whole body temperature is normal, not just your feet.

Avoid going barefoot during the cold weather months, so that your feet stay warm even when you are indoors. Your physical body should be able to tolerate a reasonable amount of cold and cold weather without sustaining damage to your feet.

Wear proper safety boots with steel toes, if you are working on a construction project.

Do you plan to walk a long distance? Wear appropriate footwear for long distance walking, as cold weather injuries can occur quickly when you are not alert to that possibility.

Your ingenuity may ensure your mobility, so always make a serous effort to take good care of your feet and protect them from cold weather injuries.