First Aid News and Information
January 5th, 2009
Time is the critical factor:
Several studies documents the effects of time to defibrillation and the effects of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on survival from SCA. For every minute that passes between collapse and defibrillation, survival rates from witnessed VF SCA decrease 7 to 10 percent if no CPR is provided.
VF rarely converts spontaneously. It’s ultimately a defibrillator that saves lives. Make sure you have one on hand when it’s needed. Once you decide to acquire an AED you owe it to yourself and your organization to look at the Powerheart G3 Plus.
Buy your Powerheat AED here
Why Powerheart AEDs by Cardiac Science?
Cardiac Science Powerheart AEDs lead the industry in the product quality and innovation. Powerheart AEDs have been designed with the single objective of maximizing the chance of a successful outcome (life saved!) if the AED needs to be deployed. Here’s how we do that:
Reliability Powerheart AEDs incorporate the highest level of automated self-testing available in AEDs today, assuring first-time, every time functionality. Here’s how:
Daily Automated Sefl-tests - Verify both the presence and the function of the battery, the internal circuitry and software, and the electrode pads themselves.
WeeklyAutomated Self-tests -Verify the capacitors at partial energy level.
Monthly Automated Self-tests- Verify the capacitors at full energy level.
Why is this important? The time to identify a problem with an AED is not when you’re about to perform a rescue. At that point it’s too late. The elimination of the need for people to manually perform validation and testing eliminates the potential for human error and the possibility of increased risk of liability.
Ease of Use This is a very subjective discussion, but one should use intuition and common sense in evaluating ease of use. The goal of Cardiac Science has bee to minimize the number of operations required of the user and maximize the effectiveness of of the audio and visual prompts therefore, minimizing the opportunity for human error that can abort or delay the deployment. Here are those features:
Pre-connected, Non-polarized Electrodes eliminates the need to connect the pads and determine which pad goes where.
No-button Operation Our Powerheart AED G3 Automatic does not require the user to press a button to operate the unit. With our G3 Semi-automatic, there is just one button to press to deliver the shock. The AED is turned on simply by opening the lid.
Integrated Text Display Provides a visual back-up of all audio prompts. If the user can’t hear the AED, which is often the case, they can read the prompts on the text display, which also provides a read out of the # of shocks released and elapsed time.
Advanced Audio Prompts Our trademark Rescue Coach Technology, available in the Powerheart G3 Plus, provides advanced audio prompts to guide the user through the deplyoment of the AED. When the AED enters CPR mode, it will prompt the user on how to properly administer CPR by instructing where and how to place hands, what depth to compress the chest to, and it incorporates a metronome that aids with timing and number of compressions and breaths. Extensive human factor studies have gone into the design of this system.
Technology Defibrillating a heart is not as simple as attaching a couple electrodes and delivering a shock. AEDs vary greatly in their ability to accurately detect and recognize a wide variety of arrhythmias and how they resond to those arrhythmias. AEDs also vary greatly in how they administer therapy. Cardiac Science has incorporated the most advanced technology available in AEDs today in order to successfully respond to the widest range of cases and to adapt to the vastly different physiologies of SCA victims. Here is one of the most important differences that set Powerheart AEDs apart.
Variable Escalating Energy Unlike AEDs that eigher deliver fixed energy 1t 150 joules (always the same level for every individual for every shock) or fixed, escalating energy ( always the same level for every individual, but escalates for subsequent shocks), Powerheart AEDs incorporate variable excalating energy. With this technology, which his only available in Powerheart AEDs, the patient’s level of impedance, resulting from muscle tissue, fate tissue water retention, etc., is identified, then a customized shock is delivered based on their level of impedance. The level of energy then escalates for subsequent shocks. This technology ensures that even hard-to-defibrillate patients receive the best chane for a successful outcome, while minimizing the damage to tissue that can result from excess energy. The overall energy range is 105 joules to 360 joules.
October 1st, 2008
BleedArrest(TM) from Hemostasis LLC, is the new kid on the block in the exciting new area of stop bleeding products. We are thrilled to introduce our readers and customers to this cutting edge line of products.
BleedArrest(TM) brings some convincing advantages to the stop bleeding product line up.
First off we were delighted to find a replacement product for the Seal-On Nasal Sponges which are no longer manufactured here in the United States. The Seal-On product was a very popular item and we are confident that the BleedArrrest product will fill the void handily. Not only are the BleedArrest nasal sponges effective, at about half the price of the Seal-On product, they are cost competitive as well.
Currently we are offering the Nasal Sponges and the BleedArrest Combo Pack.
The Combo Pack comes with two of the Nasal Sponges and one of their multiple use 5 gram bellows. The bellows which you can have a look at here BleedArrest Bellows
The bellows is an innovative new delivery concept for a stop bleeding powder. This type of delivery system allows for accurate delivery and multiple use potential.
BleedArrest is made in the United States and is an all natural product safe for all ages, easy to use and physician recommended. BleedArrest stops the bleeding instantly without a burning or stinging sensation and is safe for patients that are on blood thinners.
So, what is BleedArrest? BleedArrest(TM) contains PolyFlex(TM) Natural Clotting PolymerNCP(TM) which is an advanced natrual biopolymer scientists have developed to be configurred into a flowable particle or advanced hemostatic spong to control sever external bleeding within seconds.
In everyday language the BleedArrest particles when applied to blood rapidly absorbs the water out of the blood so that coagulation can happen instantly. Simple and effective.
Get some for your first aid kit today!BleedArrest
November 21st, 2007
BLOODSTOP(TM) HEMOSTATIC GAUZE FROM LIFESCIENCE PLUS STOPS BLEEDING, SAVES LIVES
SANTA CLARA, CALIF., June, 2005 — LifeScience PLUS introduces BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze, an amazingly fast, simple and effective method for controlling and stopping bleeding in a wide array of clinical situations. Patient and clinician testimonials have repeatedly declared BloodSTOP’s performance in stopping bleeding as bordering on miraculous.
BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze expands to a clear gel upon contact with blood, stopping bleeding 80% faster than traditional cotton gauze and pressure techniques.
LifeScience PLUS introduces BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze, an amazingly fast, simple and effective method for controlling and stopping bleeding in a wide array of clinical situations. Patient and clinician testimonials have repeatedly declared BloodSTOP’s performance in stopping bleeding as bordering on miraculous.
BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze expands to a clear gel upon contact with blood, stopping bleeding 80% faster than traditional cotton gauze and pressure techniques.
When it comes into contact with blood, BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze speeds coagulation and expands to a gel that adheres to the surface and applies pressure as it seals the wound. BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze can be used on anyone who is bleeding, whether from a minor cut or major surgery. It is ideal for use in a variety of scenarios as diverse as home first aid kits,school athletic fields, emergency responders’ kits, veterinary offices, operating rooms, dental offices, ob/gyn offices and battlefields. BloodSTOP has been successfully field-tested in scenarios including neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, bone surgery, plastic surgery, oral surgery, OB/GYN, colorectal surgery and surface biopsies.
BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze is a revolutionary, hypoallergenic treatment for hemostasis care that is made from biologically inert, natural regenerated cellulose. Whether for final treatment or temporary control, BloodSTOP safely and quickly stops bleeding. It interacts with blood platelets and fibrin to form a hemostatic matrix - a gelatinous clear shield that seals the wound and stops bleeding quickly and safely. In situations requiring further medical attention, BloodSTOP has enough tensile strength to keep most wounds and lacerations together, and can stabilize bleeding and protect the wound from infection.
BloodSTOP is a safe, completely natural, water-soluble hemostatic agent made from the finest regenerated cellulose to promote a healthy environment for natural healing. It is not animal-based, so the potential for contamination is minimal.
BloodSTOP generated major interest at the California Dental Association (CDA) exhibition in May. LifeScience PLUS experienced a constant stream of doctors and clinicians at their booth during the entire show, and sold all BloodSTOP products they brought with them. The company will also exhibit at the Emergency Medical Services Expo in New Orleans, August 25-27.
A sampling of applications for BloodSTOP:
- Sports - BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze is especially useful for stopping bleeding in contact sports such as football, boxing, hockey and martial arts.
- Dentistry - A dentist can use BloodSTOP to control bleeding from a socket during extraction, or use it to reduce blood loss during a complex root canal. It’s also excellent for procedures such as wisdom teeth extraction, reconstructive surgery and implants.
- Military - On and off the battle field, bleeding is a major cause of disability and death for soldiers. Soldiers need a quick and effective way to stop bleeding and protect wounds. Medics and soldiers can use BloodSTOP to save blood and lives.
- Veterinary - Made of natural regenerated cellulose, BloodSTOP is safe to use for hemostasis on all animals that the veterinarian is likely to encounter.oring.
- Emergency - BloodSTOP is the ideal hemostatic gauze to be used in emergency settings. Each gauze is sterilely packaged and easy to handle and apply. For most wounds, the EMS professional simply applies the gauze to the bleeding site with a little pressure.
- General Surgery - BloodSTOP can be used in a variety of outpatient applications such as burn or wound care, minor surgery and laceration repair.
For best results, simply clean the wound of any debris, then apply a BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze to the wound with direct gentle pressure for a few seconds. Additional gauzes may be applied if necessary. Standard wound dressings can be applied for further protection (bandage wraps, etc.). To remove the gauze, saturate with sterile water or saline, and then gently wipe the gauze away from the clot surface.
About LifeScience PLUS
LifeScience PLUS is dedicated to serving the needs of hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, practicing health care professionals and emergency/first responders. The company’s mission is to provide high-quality, cost-effective medical solutions and to continually bring leading-edge products to the marketplace to improve the quality of medical care.
The BloodSTOP family of products is backed by the LifeScience PLUS Research and Development team, which brings over a century of combined experience in product development, regulated manufacturing processes and quality assurance. They are committed to constantly working on new, innovative and useful products for medical care.
Buy your Blood Stop here!
August 17th, 2007
A number of years ago a National restaurant chain asked us to develop a grab and go emergency burn first aid kit. Without mentioning names, this particular chain wanted to avoid being sued by their customers. We’ve all heard about the woman who spilled hot coffee into her lap and then sued the restaurant that sold her the coffee! In this case the woman won a several hundred thousand dollar settlement.
So our customer decided the thing they needed was a grab and go burn kit so that they could get to their customer and minimize the damage a burn would do.
So we designed a Velcro out burn kit that was an integral part of their first aid kit. The burn kit came in its own bag and could be left in the kit, vectored to an auxiliary location or simply placed in close proximity to where burns might occur.
This innovation has been so useful that we thought why not make it available to the rest of the world.
With one slight modification (we added two grommets in the back so you can hang it from a hook or nail) we launched the new kit in early August, 2007 .
It is available now as a part of our new Large Restaurant First Aid Kit or you can purchase it on its own.
This great little grab and go burn kit contains (6) 1/8 oz. Burn Free pain relieving burn gel, (4) 4″ X 4″ Sterile Burn Free burn dressings, (2) 8″ X 8″ Sterile Burn Free burn dressings and (1) each of the 2″ and 3″ Medi-Rip Cohesive Bandages.
December 8th, 2006
We sell a lot of first aid kits here at First Aid Supplies Online. Businesses and institutions buy kits for their employees and some times for their customers or clintel. We get orders from soccer clubs, scout troops, moms and dads. Reaching out via the internet we are doing business with such a wide spectrum of of organizations and individuals that it is rather humbling.
So let me say thanks everybody we truly appreciate you!
Having said that, when you put a lot of first aid kits and supplies out the door one dosen’t dwell on how the products you sell are going to be used but from time to time we get some feedback that is truly amazing.
Point in fact, our Lifesaver First Aid Kit. When we designed this kit, we designed it with a small business, individual or family in mind. We got a terrific letter from a customer who used it in an unexpected way so I thought we’d share her email to us with you. It goes like this:
” Last year I ordered a First Responder Kit for my daughter as her nursing graduation gift. She informed me a couple of weeks ago that she used about 2/3 of her kit when she stopped at an automobile wreck on her way to work. The patrolmen kept her at the scene until ambulances arrived. She then went on to work where she helped take care of the same people in the ER where she normally works.
My question is: Can I use the 10% off coupon for a gift certificate for her for Christmas?
She definitely needs to restock her kit.
Karen in Flagstaff, AZ
P. S. I haven’t had to use my kit yet, but it goes everywhere with me.”
Although Karen refers to the Lifesaver as a First Responder (which it is) we decided to include this picture for clarification. 
Get your Lifesaver here:
November 9th, 2006
Over the past few years the slogan “CPR + AED + 911 = SAVE, has become common knowledge in public access defibrillation. Granted there have been saves. But, the question is whether there could have been more saves or better outcomes.
It is our opinion that the slogan overlooks several major problems in attending to victims possibly in sudden cardiac arrest, they are:
the victim may not be in ventricular fibrillation, e.g. the victim is breathing although not perceived by the rescuer, in which case the defibrillator is of no value. More than likely the responder won’t know until the AED advises whether or not a shock is indicated shock. That process may take several minutes during which the victim is without a supplemental oxygen source.
the victim may be hypoxic (oxygen deprivation) and not respond to defibrillation.
the victim may revert back to ventricular fibrillation because of an inadequate oxygen supply, post defibrillation. 1
defibrillation with CPR has been touted as equivalent to oxygen assisted defibrillation. No distinction has been made. 2
The Old Way
The first sequence of photos is taken from a brochure illustrating one of the defibrillation processes.
The victim is without a supplemental oxygen source during a substantial part of the defibrillation process, particularly if multiple shocks arerequired.
CPR cannot be given while the defibrillator is analyzing the victim’s cardiac rhythm.
It is difficult to perform mouth to mask CPR while someone else is prepping the victim for the AED.
A Better Way
The second set of photos shows the defibrillation process using the automatic oxygen uint from TxO2,
The above pictures illustrate supplemental O2 from the TXO2®unit is being drawn into the lungs if the victim is breathing or blown in if assisted by CPR. On successful defibrillation, the victim is breathing O2 enriched air
and not just air!
Footnotes:
1.) “Proper patient management requires integration of cardiac care with adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Maximizing ventilation and oxygenation (to return the patient’s’ physiology to the best possible condition) is essential. This can make the difference between successful resuscitation, without sequelae, and a poor outcome.” Patient Ventilation and Oxygenation, 42, January 2003, EMS. Back to Article
2.) Check the manufacturer’s literature regarding AED’s. Generally, there is a reference to an EMS unit or police officer using an AED. The orange bag often seen with the police officers, fire fighters, etc. contains oxygen. However, few manufacturers mention the oxygen, or if mentioned is a footnote or side note.
Used by permission TxO2
August 14th, 2006
CONTACT: KidStuff Public Relations Lisa Orman 608-767-1102 or lisa@kidstuffpr.com
BE PREPARED FOR PLAYGROUND OWIES THIS BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON WITH YOUR VERY OWN FIRST AID KIT FOR KIDS
Parents Are Adding The medibag™ As A “Must-Have” On School Supply Lists This Year
Phoenix, AZ (July 10, 2006) — As you and your child peruse the school supply aisles at your favorite store looking for the perfect lunch box or color-coordinated notebook set; remember, there’s one important item that you’ll only find online and through specialty retailers this back-to-school season — the medibag, a state-of-the art medical first-aid kit just for kids.
To make the life of “resident medics” even easier, parents can shop at home by visiting www.me4kidz.com to add this must-have item to their back-to-school arsenal. With the medibag, moms and dads will be well armed with all of the essentials to set up their own in-home or on-the-go triage unit to treat kids who come home with everything including scrapes, stings, boo-boos and owies from the playground or sport practice.
When school starts, it also signifies the beginning of increased opportunities for playground-related injuries. This is of particular concern for parents of younger children. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries. Children ages 5 to 9 have higher rates of emergency room visits for playground injuries than any other age group - and most of these injuries occur at school.
Many minor playground injuries can be taken care of at home by Dr. Mom, along with a top-notch first aid kit. However, many parents couldn’t find anything suitable on the market targeted for the most common childhood injuries. Today, thanks to the me4kidz company’s medibag, parents now
have what they need to mend their children in one convenient kit - just by ordering it online.
Along with the usual accoutrements, like bandages and antibiotic ointment, the medibag includes some very useful items for family accidents. Based on extensive research and family focus groups here are some of the items that make this first-aid kit an essential tool to add to your back-to-school supply list this year:
- A quick-action first-aid flip chart
- A CD that tells parents how to safety-proof a home
- Eye-wash to remove debris
- Insect sting relief pads
- Kids QR™ (an item that instantly stops excessive bleeding)
- Latex-free, powder-free blue exam gloves (instead of medical white)
- A bright yellow babysitter pad for crucial family information (and filling it out for date night means you’ll also remember to show the sitter where your medibag is!)
Each kit has specialized, patented compartment systems and looks like a kid-friendly doctor’s bag. Through its bright colors and mom-developed design, the medibag removes the intimidation from first-aid and, thereby, helps to protect the entire family.
In addition to being rewarded by the knowledge that they’ve helped keep families safe, me4kidz has received other, more tangible accolades. This month, it won the Baby Atlas 2006 Editor’s Choice Award. It has won the Hot Product 2006 Award from iParenting and was selected as a 2006 “Cool Stuff” winner by Preemie Magazine. The product is being sold by specialty retailers and catalogs across the United States, Canada, Barbados and the Cayman Islands.
You can get your Medibag at one of the best first aid sites on the internet
First Aid Supplies Online
For more information on Medibag you can go directly to their website.
Me4Kidz
June 22nd, 2006
In OSHA’s Best Practices Guide under the Heading “First Aid Supplies” they say; “It is advisable for the employer to give a specific person the responsibility for choosing the types and amounts of first aid supplies and for maintaining these supplies.”
These are great common sense words that we have been saying for years. We have been counseling our business customers with that advise for a long, long time. Although it takes a commitment in time and resources once the business has someone up to speed, the return is unlimited.
Using the resources at our website and a little phone support stocking up on first aid supplies can become a simple ten to fifteen minute chore done once a month or so.
All you need is a copy of our First Aid Inventory Worksheet which you can download in PDF here:
Worksheet PDF
The critical items that OSHA refers to in the ANSI Z308.1-2003 “Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits.” are highlighted on that form so that you will be sure not to miss them. (There are 8 items specified)
Take the Worksheet to your first aid kit locations and do a physical inventory. Return to your PC and plug in the needed items into our “interactive order form” which you can see here:
Interactive Order Form
So there you have it OSHA and First Aid Supplies Online working together to save you money and provide a safer workplace. It’s a beautiful thing.
June 13th, 2006
The newly released guide comes with a clear disclaimer that it is not a new regulation, does not establish any new standards or change any existing OSHA standard.
Having said that, it is a handy and informative guide for small businesses that are looking for convenient, easy to understand information on the general topic of workplace first aid.
We liked it so much that we’ve added a link to OSHA so that you could download the guide in PDF format. You might want to browse it before you download as it runs 27 pages.
In this guide you will find a handy outline on Risk Assessment, Training, Supplies and some new information on AEDs. Yes OSHA is now suggesting that AEDs should be considered at work. They say “Using AEDs as soon as possible after sudden cardiac arrest, within 3-4 minutes, can lead to a 60% survival rate.* CPR is of value because it supports the circulation and ventilation of the victim until an electric shock delivered by an AED can restore the fibrillating heart to normal.” In addition the suggest “All worksites are potential candidates for AED programs because of the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest and the need for timely defibrillation.”
More on the guide later.
Download the file here:
*American Heart Association in collaboration with International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care: International Consensus on Science, Part 4: The Automated External Defibrillator. Circulation 2000; Vol. 102, Supplement: 161. Figure 1
May 30th, 2006
There is a trend in business today, you can see it in the mergers of big companies. Nextel and Sprint are an example. Chrysler and Diamler Benz another they are all around us spurred on by increasing competition in the Global market place.
If you are a baby boomer you can remember when the phone company was well, the phone company. Ultimately this monopoly was broken up by the Government. Broken up because monopoly was equated with no competition, poor service and high prices.
Broke it up they did and now, less than a generation later, like great amorphous blobs of organic mercury they are coalescing again into quasi monopolistic giants.
Now there is lots of competition, innovation and prices have gone down, right? Well sort of. One could say that long distance is a lot cheaper than it once was and surely mobile phones are affordable to almost any one.
It is clear in the new global economy that consolidation is a fact of corporate survival. Consolidation is good for the corporation, it remains to be seen if it will be good for the consumers.
The first aid industry has followed a similar path. In the beginning, way back when a new industry was invented by a visionary entrepreneur. Zee Medical began serving the industrial market place with top quality first aid and safety products. The idea was similar to the coffee service company in that once you placed your coffee pot (first aid cabinet) then a route person would come around on a regular basis and replenish the consumable coffee, filters, creamer, sugar etc. (Bandages, Antiseptics and Aspirin)
Zee operated without competition of any significance until the late 70’s and early 80’s when small regional companies began to challenge Zee for a fair share of the market.
In less than a decade numerous small companies sprung up to supply the growing ranks of independent distributors who wanted a piece of the action.
The main players were Respond Systems, Life and Safety Products, Mr. First Aid, Dot First Aid, Affasco, American First Aid, Greenguard, Affirmed Medical, Medique, and Swift First Aid.
These companies all grew and prospered into the 1990’s and together captured a significant market share which of course made them yummy little acquisition targets of the big boys.
In the mid to late 1990’s Cintas started buying these profitable regional distributors. Affirmed Medical, Life and Safety Products and American First Aid were quickly gobbled up. Their distributors were reassured that all is well that business will continue as usual.
Of course what we didn’t know was that Cintas was buying individual distributors as well with an eye on running company owned stores.
Founders of these smaller companies were bought or pushed out and company men/women came in to run the show.
It was during this corporate acquisition spree that we went our independent way and took our business to the newly forming First Aid Direct and had a very happy, mutually profitable relationship that lasted most of a decade. That was until Cintas acquired Van Dyne Crotty an Ohio based Uniform company who had acquired a controlling interest in First Aid Direct.
The rest as they say is history. Cintas decided not to continue the First Aid Direct Brand leaving us with the choice of finding a new source for that part of our product line or do business with the new Cintas entity. We opted for the independent path.
So the trend is consolidation and two giants have emerged, they are of course Zee Medical and Cintas. You might not recognize this trend because Cintas is still operating American First Aid, Affirmed Medical and Respond Systems as their own brands along with their Cintas First Aid brand.
Zee Medical was not acquisition proof either and is today a wholly owned subsidiary of McKesson, which is owned by Merc.
BleedArrest(TM)