Recently Published First Aid Articles

A Redback spider suspended from a thread of silk
6 Common Spiders in Melbourne

February 6, 2023

Bites and Stings

During the warmer months of spring and summer, Melbourne homes are often inundated with several spider species on the hunt for food and mates. These spiders can cause bites ranging from the negligible to the extremely painful.

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Woman blowing nose with tissue
Natural Remedies for Hay Fever

February 3, 2023

Allergy and Asthma

Hay fever occurs when the immune system overreacts to a harmless environmental allergen. Chronic hay fever symptoms can lead to a reduced quality of life. Luckily, there are several natural remedies for the treatment of hay fever.

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Damar Hamlin
Damar Hamlin and the Importance of CPR

February 2, 2023

First aid in the news

On 2 January 2023, NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after tackling wide receiver Tee Higgins. Attending doctors believe that it was the swift application of CPR and defibrillation that saved Damar's life.

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Little whip snake on rock
Profile on the Little Whip Snake

February 1, 2023

Bites and Stings

The Little whip snake is found across south-eastern Australia. As well as belonging to the Elapidae family of venomous snakes, they are often mistaken for juvenile Brown snakes.

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A colony of small red ants foraging in a mound of dirt
Ants Adelaide: A Comprehensive Guide

January 31, 2023

Bites and Stings

Ants form a massive part of Adelaide's local ecosystem. As well as being natural pest control agents, they help pollinate native plants. However, many of Adelaide's common ant species can inflict nasty stings and trigger anaphylaxis.

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A black, shiny spider hanging off a leaf
How Dangerous is the Cupboard Spider?

January 30, 2023

Bites and Stings

The Cupboard spider is a common guest in and around Australian houses. They are often mistaken for Redback spiders, as both are of similar shape and size. Though the Cupboard spider is not as deadly as the Redback, their bites can still cause several symptoms.

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Young boy getting throat checked by doctor
Why is Invasive Strep A on the Rise?

January 27, 2023

First aid in the news

Invasive strep A (iGAS) is on the rise among Australian children. Though this condition is caused by the typically mild Strep A bacteria, it can infect the blood, lungs, and brain membranes and cause death.

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A brown snake sheltering beneath a piece of wood
Your Guide to Venomous Snakes in Adelaide

January 26, 2023

Bites and Stings

Adelaide comprises a wide range of bushland, rural, and semi-rural environments. As such, it is home to a variety of native wildlife, including venomous snakes. Some of the most commonly encountered snakes in Adelaide are highly dangerous to humans.

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A woman using a portable device to measure blood glucose
First Aid for Hypoglycaemia

January 25, 2023

How-To

Hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar, is a dramatic imbalance where the tissues, especially the brain cells, become starved of essential blood sugar. This can lead to the casualty becoming unconscious and death may follow within hours.

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A dark coloured spider sitting in a web among leaves
The Grey House Spider Explained

January 24, 2023

Bites and Stings

Though Grey house spiders can live in a variety of habitats, they prefer to build their tangled, ladder-like webs in and around houses on the eastern side of Australia. Like most House spiders, their bites can cause moderate to severe local symptoms.

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RICER first aid
RICER First Aid for Soft Tissue Injuries

January 23, 2023

Injury

RICER refers to the immediate first aid treatment for soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries involve tissues that connect, support, or move other structures of the body. RICER aims to reduce pain and promote healing.

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Women heart disease article header
Heart disease in women is being missed

January 20, 2023

First aid in the news

In 2012, then 34 year-old Jennifer Tucker was pushing her young children in a pram when she began struggling to breath. Doctors were initially sceptical that Jennifer was suffering a heart attack, but tests soon proved otherwise.

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