Man in a turquoise t-shirt clutches his chest in pain

What to Do if Alone and Having a Heart Attack

Have you ever wondered what you’d do if you were alone at home and suspected you were having a heart attack?

Deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) jumped globally from 12.1 million in 1990 to 20.5 million in 2021, according to a May 2023 report from the World Heart Federation. In 2021, CVD was the leading cause of death worldwide.

What To Do When a Heart Attack Occurs

When a heart attack occurs, it’s essential to act fast and get medical attention—every minute counts. You may not have time to wait for an ambulance to arrive before you start feeling the effects of the attack. Can you survive a heart attack alone? Yes, but it depends on your actions immediately following the onset of symptoms. Your chances of surviving are pretty dismal without immediate medical help.

Following the tips in this one-minute article will improve your survival odds significantly.

Heart Attack When Alone: 5 Smart Things Experts Advise You Do Immediately for the Best Chance of Survival

#heartattack  #firstaid

Register for a Red Cross first aid & CPR class and learn to save a life.

 

Two young boys lying on the floor colouring

Home Alone Online Training for Children

Safe + Sound First Aid Training offers Home Alone online training for children aged 9-13. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from parents and caregivers about children being home alone.

Q: How can I tell if my child is ready to stay home alone?

Signs Your Child May Be Ready To Stay Home Alone:

While every child matures differently,  some signs indicate your child may be ready to stay home without adult supervision for short periods of time. These signs will help parents, guardians, and caregivers gauge their child’s readiness.

Your child —

  • is at least 10 years of age.
  • follows family rules and instructions.
  • knows his/her full name, address, major intersections and phone number.
  • understands when and how to contact 911.
  • is not afraid to stay home alone.
  • knows what to do when the unexpected arises.
  • has basic first aid skills, knows where the first aid kit is and how to use its contents.
  • knows how to lock the door routinely and safeguard the key
  • knows how to contact a trusted adult if needed.

Q: What are the benefits of online, self-directed Home Alone classes for children aged 9-13?

There are several benefits to online, self-directed classes on the subject of home alone, safety, and first aid for children aged 9-13:

Self-sufficiency: These classes can teach children how to be self-sufficient and take care of themselves if they are home alone.

Safety skills: Children can learn essential safety skills, such as handling emergencies and what to do in the event of an injury.

Independence: These classes can help children develop a sense of independence and responsibility.

Confidence: Children can gain confidence in handling difficult situations by learning new skills.

Fun: These classes can be engaging and interactive, making them more enjoyable for children.

Convenience: Children can complete online, self-directed classes at a time that’s convenient for the child and their family.

Accessibility: Online classes can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making them a convenient option for families who may not have access to in-person classes in their area.

 

Q: What is the minimum age for leaving children home alone?

Please check your community’s child protection services for local guidelines or laws regarding the recommended minimum age to leave a child home alone. This age varies from province to province and state to state.

 

Q: What other factors should I consider when deciding if my child is ready to stay home alone?

Parents should be mindful that not all children mature at the same age and that age is not the only factor to consider when deciding a child’s readiness. Temperament, maturity, access to Emergency Medical Services, and willingness are also factors to consider.

Parents should not force a child to stay home alone before they are ready. Taking the Home Alone course will help youths develop many essential safety skills, but it does not guarantee that a child will be prepared to stay on their own. This is a judgement call for parents, guardians and caregivers as they know the child’s abilities best.

The Home Alone Safety for Kids course will help your child prepare for independence. Practical and convenient, this self-guided and self-paced tutorial helps to build a child’s confidence through engaging games, rich digital media, videos and colourful graphics that equip youth with skills for a lifetime of safety. It provides valuable life skills for your child and peace of mind for parents and caregivers.

 

Q: How long is the online Home Alone course?

The Home Alone Safety for Kids online course takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

 

Q: How old do children have to be to take the Home Alone online course?

The Home Alone Safety for Kids online course is designed for children aged 9-13.

 

Q: What topics are included in the online Home Alone course?

  • Home Alone course topics include:
  • How to be street smart and stay alert
  • Routines and house rules
  • Safe snacking
  • Making smart choices online
  • Fire safety
  • Injury prevention
  • Basic first aid

 

Q: Can I watch a preview video of the Home Alone course?

Yes, click here to see a preview of the Home Alone Safety for kids course.

 

Q: What is the pass mark for the Home Alone course?

Participants must achieve a mark of 80% to receive a certificate of completion. They can repeat the course twice if they don’t get 80% or more on the first attempt.

 

Q: Will my child receive a certificate after completing the Home Alone course?

Yes. Your child will receive a digital participation certification after completing the Home Alone course.

 

Q: After taking the Home Alone online course, will my child be qualified to babysit?

After taking the Home Alone Safety for Kids course, your child will be safer and more confident to stay home alone. If they are planning to babysit, we recommend they also take a Red Cross Babysitting course. You can find more information about this course here: Canadian Red Cross Babysitting Program for 11-15 year-olds.

 

Q: How can I register my child for the Home Alone course?

Click here to register your child today for the Home Alone Safety for Kids course.

 

Q: Who can I contact if I have questions about the Home Alone course?

Please contact us here via this form. Thank you.

 

Home Alone Online Training for Children is an investment in your child’s safety.

An older woman wearing jeans and a white t-shirt, sits on a beige sofa drinking a glass of red wine and looking depressed.

Substance Use in Older Adults

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in older adults is not something most of us are comfortable talking about. But don’t assume your older workers or loved ones are immune. Broaching the subject and having these discussions can save lives. If you suspect someone is struggling with SUD, talk to them — before it’s too late.

The following article discusses the relationship between alcohol use, falls and hip fractures in older adults. It includes suggestions on how to broach the subject of substance use with family members and where to find helpful resources:

Is Alcohol or Old Age the Cause of Your Older Family Member’s Broken Hip?

This article outlines some practical ways you can help prevent people from dying from atoxic drug poisoning:

Opioid Overdose: Four Things We Can Do Today to Stop Senseless Deaths

You can find other articles on substance use, addiction and the toxic drug crisis here.

Openly discussing substance use in older adults with families, co-workers and doctors can save lives.

Young child asleep in a hot car

12 Ways to Prevent the Tragedy of Hot Car Death

Imagine walking across the hot parking lot after a long day’s work, opening your car door and realizing with horror that the child you were supposed to drop off at daycare is still in the car.

At that moment, the world stops, shock hits like a sledgehammer, and the guilt and gut-wrenching grief will change your life forever.

How do hot car tragedies happen, and what can we do to prevent them? Read more.

Click here for information about Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR training

A map of the world created using coloured pills

People of the World — Wake Up to the Toxic Drug Crisis!

This poem is a call to action. Toxic drugs are killing our family and friends, and we can no longer look the other way. Where will this human disaster end if we fail to take action now? We must educate ourselves and start uncomfortable conversations with loved ones, friends, co-workers and employees. We need urgent solutions to prevent countless more deaths in our communities and worldwide.

Read the poem on Medium.com

Other related blog posts include:

Benefits of Free Opioid Addiction Treatment

Opioid Overdose: Four Things We Can Do Today to Stop Senseless Deaths

 

Red pills in the shape of a heart

Benefits of Free Opioid Addiction Treatment

On June 6, 2023, British Columbia, Canada, became the first Canadian province to provide free, universal treatment for opioid addiction. Though some argue against free treatment for substance use, results from other countries overwhelmingly support this approach. Shifting from a criminal to a public health focus by reducing stigma and removing financial barriers to treatments pays off in the long run for individuals and communities.

This article explores the arguments for and against providing free opioid addiction treatment. Read more

Take this FREE online course and receive a complimentary Naloxone kit! First Aid for Opioid Poisoning Emergencies

A first aid course student holding a baby CPR manikin. Emergency Child Care First Aid FAQs

Emergency Child Care First Aid FAQs

Are you a child care worker, parent, grandparent or babysitter living in the Coquitlam area? If so, you need first aid training. Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B is the best course for you. Please read our Emergency Child Care First Aid FAQs, visit our Emergency Child Care First Aid page or contact us. We look forward to seeing you in one of our classes soon.

About Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR Level B

Q: What is Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR Level B?
Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR Level B is a one-day course introducing caregivers to injury prevention skills and knowledge. The class covers lifesaving first aid skills and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR and AED) for children and babies. Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR meets legislation and safety requirements for provincial/territorial early childhood education and child care workers. It is recognized by BC Child Care Licensing for child care workers and ECE students in British Columbia.

Q: Who should take Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B?
Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B is designed for child care workers and parents. Anyone caring for a baby or young child can benefit from this training, including siblings aged 12+, grandparents and adult babysitters.

Q: I am an Early Childhood Education (ECE) student. Is Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B the right first aid course for me?
Yes. Most ECE students take Emergency Child Care first aid & CPR B. You can confirm this with your school before registering for a first aid course.

Q: Does Red Cross Emergency Child Care first aid include CPR Level B?
Yes. The Canadian Red Cross Emergency Child Care first aid & CPR course includes CPR Level B.

Q: Does Emergency Child Care first aid include AED (defibrillator) training?
Yes. The Canadian Red Cross Emergency Child Care first aid & CPR course includes AED training.

Q: Are there any prerequisites for the Canadian Red Cross Emergency Child Care first aid course?
There are no prerequisites for the Canadian Red Cross Emergency Child Care course. Adults and children aged 12 years and up can take Red Cross Emergency Child Care first aid & CPR.

Q: How long is the course?
The Canadian Red Cross Emergency Child Care first aid & CPR course includes eight hours of training plus breaks. When you attend the course, expect to be at the course location for approximately nine hours. BC Child Care Licensing requires child care workers to take a first aid course which includes at least eight hours of instruction.

Q: What topics does Red Cross Emergency Child Care CPR B course include?

Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid includes the following topics:

  • The Red Cross
  • Responding to Emergencies
  • The EMS system
  • Check, Call, Care
  • Airway emergencies
  • Breathing and Circulation emergencies – Child and baby
  • First aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest – Child and baby
  • Wound care
  • Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries
  • Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries
  • Sudden Medical Emergencies
  • Environmental Illness
  • Poisons
  • Caring for Children

Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR classes in Coquitlam

Q: Where can I find an Emergency Child care First Aid course schedule for Coquitlam classes?
Please click here for Emergency Child care First Aid courses in Coquitlam.

 

Private Group First Aid & CPR Training

Q: I run a child care centre, and my workers need first aid training. How can I book a group training session?
Please contact us about booking a private group Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B course at our Coquitlam classroom. We will gladly provide information, including available dates and a quote for your training.

 

Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR Training in BC

Q: According to the BC Child Care Licensing Regulation, what are the requirements for first aid training?
See Schedule C “First Aid” of the BC Child  Care Licensing Regulation

Q: Where can I find the BC Child Care Licensing Regulation?
BC Child Care Licensing Regulation Scroll down the document to “Schedule C” – First Aid.

Q: Are there any virtual classes for baby or child first aid and CPR?
BC Child Care Licensing does not accept online or virtual training in place of in-person first aid & CPR training. There are online courses for those looking to refresh their memory between first aid classes.

 

FAQ’s About CPR Levels

Q: What does Red Cross CPR level B cover?
Red Cross CPR level B covers skills for the infant (0-1 year) and child (1-8 years). If you work with older children, we recommend you take Standard First Aid & CPR Level C. This course covers skills for all age groups, including adults and meets BC Child Care Licensing requirements for child care workers.

Q: What level of CPR should I have if I care for children aged eight years and up?
People caring for children older than eight years need a course that includes CPR level C. CPR C covers skills for all ages – infant, child and adult. If you work with older children, we recommend you take Standard First Aid & CPR Level C.

Q: What is the difference between CPR levels A, B and C?
CPR A covers skills for adults only.
CPR B covers skills for babies and children aged 0-8 years.
CPR C covers skills for babies, children and adults.

 

First Aid & CPR Training for ESL Students

Q: English is not my first language. Can I get a book to study before my Red Cross first aid class?
Yes. When you have registered for your Red Cross first aid class, please ask us to email you a PDF of the course book.

Q: I need to take an Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR with a Korean-speaking instructor. Can you help?
Yes. Our instructor, Lucy teaches classes for Korean students. Please contact us and we’ll put you in touch with her.

Q: What are the qualifications of a Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid instructor?
A Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR course is taught by a certified Red Cross First Aid Instructor or Red Cross Instructor Trainer.

 

Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR Certification and Recertification

Q: What are the completion requirements for Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid?
To receive Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid certification, participants must:

  • Attend and participate in 100% of the Emergency Child Care First Aid course.
  • Successfully demonstrate skills and critical steps.
  • Achieve a minimum mark of 75% for the written knowledge evaluation.

Q: When will I get my certificate after completing my Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR course?
Red Cross emails PDF certificates directly to students – usually within three days of the course date.

Q: How long is a Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid certification good for?
Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid certification is good for three years from the course date.

Q: Can I take a Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid recertification course to renew my certificate?
Child care workers in BC must take a course that includes eight hours of training to renew their certification. The BC Child Care regulation states that the certificate “is not renewable unless the holder, before the expiry date, participates in at least 8 hours of further instruction, at least 3.5 hours of which must be delivered in person, followed by an examination that includes demonstration and evaluation of the skills relevant to the matters described in section 2 of this Schedule (Schedule C of the BC Child Care Regulation.”

Even though the Canadian Red Cross offers a 6-hour recertification class, BC Child Care Licensing does not accept this. Therefore, Safe + Sound only provides the full course, not the recertification class.

Q: What materials do Emergency Child Care First Aid course participants receive?

  • Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid course participants receive:
    Red Cross Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B certificate (digital certificate issued upon successful completion)
  • CPR mask
  • The Canadian Red Cross “Child Care First Aid Manual” (eBook) is available for you to download upon completion of the class. Once certified, course participants can find digital manuals here: My Red Cross (myrc.redcross.ca) > My Profile > My Digital Books.

Questions About Emergency Child Care First Aid

Q: I have a question about Emergency Child Care First Aid.
If you can’t find the answer to your question in our Emergency Child Care First Aid FAQs on this page, please get in touch with us.

We look forward to chatting with you soon!