Calgary First Aid provides Red Cross CPR AED training courses within Alberta. If one experiences sudden weakness/numbness in the region of the face, arm or leg of a specific side then one may be experiencing a stroke. Difficulty to talk or understand speech, sudden severe headache, dizziness, confusion or possible unconsciousness are additional signs and symptoms of a stroke. Other criteria to look for are feeling or appearing to look ill, odd behaviour, blurred/dimmed vision, pupils that are not the same size or ringing in the ears. If a victim is experiencing a stroke, you must call EMS immediately. If fluids or vomit is present in the person’s mouth then reposition the victim to one side to let them drain out. Place the individual with affected (numb) side up. If you put the affected side down then the person will lose feeling sensation which is unsettling and can lead to further injury as a result of pressure points and reduced circulation. You need to monitor ABCs until EMS arrive.
Be sure to check for other injuries perhaps if they fell and that if someone has been injured to also check if they had a stroke. Blood has three main criteria: protect the body from disease, maintain a steady optimal operating temperature, transportation of oxygen, nutrigents and wastes for the body’s cells. Blood present in the arteries are under greater pressure than that of capillaries/veins and thus travel at a greater speed. Blood present in arteries give off a pulse from each contraction of the heart. Blood present in veins flow slowly and evenly. Bleeding can be internal or external and can mean blood escaping from arteries, veins or capillaries into other spaces. If an individual suffered a serious injury then you need to suspect internal bleeding and must be controlled immediately. In order to get the best training, Calgary First Aid recommends you contact us or visit the Canadian Red Cross. The Canadian Red Cross is the leader in first aid and CPR training throughout the world.
