News

National Asthma Day - did you know tht 88% of UK adults would not be completely confident about what to do if a child with asthma in their care had an asthma attack? Click here for more information and book a first aid course so that you are prepared.

Resuscitation that includes mouth-to-mouth is better for children, study finds. Click here for more information.

The HSE has Changed the First Aid at Work Regulations. Click here for more information.

25th Anniversary Year

Bostock are Celebrating 25 Years of Successful trading. Please click here for more information.

Keyboards 'dirtier than a toilet

Some computer keyboards harbour more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat, research has suggested.

Chilling technique helps in saving cardiac patients

Treatment shields brain from damage Click here to find out more!

Ophelia of the Seine

The calmly smiling, beautiful face of this young woman hung in the studios of artists and writers across Europe throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries. She inspired Rilke, Man Ray and Nabokov. And eventually ended up as a first-aid resuscitation model. But who was she? Angelique Chrisafis finds out. Click here to find out more!

Resuscitation Council Guidelines Update

You may be aware that there have been some changes to the Resuscitation Guidelines. The most dramatic changes are those listed here:

DVT Flight Socks Really Work - Airline Passengers Told

Research has revealed that wearing flight socks can reduce by 90% the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, DVT, a potentially fatal condition that affects thousands of people every year. Click here to find out more.

Suspect a stroke? Act FAST

The Stroke association has a new "FAST" campaign (click here for more details).

One of the main aims of the Stroke is a Medical Emergency campaign is to raise awareness of the symptoms of stroke. With over 150,000 people in the UK having a stroke every year, it is imperative that people can recognise a stroke when it's happening and take prompt action .

What are the symptoms of stroke?
To help people recognise the symptoms of stroke quickly, The Stroke Association has funded research into FAST - the Face Arm Speech Test - which is used by paramedics to diagnose stroke prior to a person being admitted to hospital. By diagnosing the possibility of stroke before reaching hospital, it is possible for appropriate referral to a stroke unit to be made as quickly as possible.

What is FAST?
FAST requires an assessment of three specific symptoms of stroke.

F acial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
A rm weakness - can the person raise both arms?
S peech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
T est all three symptoms

F.A.S.T Test from The Stroke Association on Vimeo.

"I found this course interesting and relevent. The way it was delivered kept the group focussed and involved!" Feedback May 2009