Athelas First Aid

10/28/2026

CARBON MONOXIDE: THE SILENT DANGER IN YOUR HOME!

As the colder weather arrives and we start relying more on our furnaces and fireplaces, there’s one household danger I want everyone to take seriously: carbon monoxide (CO).
You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. You can’t taste it. But it can be deadly.
As a firefighter, I know how important it is to take every carbon monoxide alarm seriously. When that alarm sounds, it’s not the time to investigate the furnace or assume it’s a false alarm. It’s time to get everyone outside.

HERE’S WHAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD SHOULD KNOW:

1. CHECK YOUR CO ALARMS. Ontario’s updated Fire Code requirements took effect January 1, 2026. In applicable houses and townhomes, CO alarms must be installed adjacent to sleeping areas and on every storey, including floors without bedrooms. Test them once a month to make sure they are working.
2. KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unusual tiredness can all be symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure.
3. PREVENT THE PROBLEM. Have fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected, keep exhaust vents clear of snow and debris, and never operate a barbecue or fuel-burning generator inside your home or garage.
4. IF YOUR CO ALARM SOUNDS, GET OUT! Move everyone outside to fresh air, call 911 and don’t re-enter until emergency personnel confirm it’s safe.

MY CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: Walk through your home and check every CO alarm. Test them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, check their expiry dates and make sure you have protection in all required locations.
A few minutes of prevention today could save a life tomorrow.
Be ready. Because life happens.

10/27/2026

Here’s some great advice from the Canadian Red Cross on what to do if somebody by you starts to choke.

Want to learn more? Check out our Red Cross CPR and first aid courses coming!!

10/26/2026

Mr. Sizzle here! 🦎 If someone isn’t responding, isn’t breathing normally, or you think there’s a serious emergency, call 911.

When I make the call, I start with where we are. Then I explain what happened, how many people need help, and what condition they’re in. If someone else is nearby, I ask one specific person to call and meet the first responders while I help.

I stay on the line and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Jason’s first responder reminder for me: knowing what to say can help you act when the moment feels overwhelming.

What landmark would help an ambulance find you where you are right now?

— Mr. Sizzle
Athelas First Aid | athelasfirstaid.com⁠

10/24/2026

This is why we don’t use cord as an improvised tourniquet! Stick to the 3 principles taught:
1) >1.5 inches in width
2) mechanical advantage to tighten
3) be able to lock it in place
If you’re a hunter, camper, work in a workshop or just want to be ready, you should invest in some professional tourniquets!

Using thin string to stop a bleed will amputate the limb faster than the injury. 🩸 In tactical medicine, physics dictates whether you save a life or destroy a limb. The top panel highlights a deadly Hollywood myth: using paracord, wire, or shoelaces as a tourniquet. The physics diagram reveals why this is horrific. The formula for pressure is Force divided by Area. Applying immense force over a tiny 4mm wire creates a slicing effect. It will literally cut through the flesh and permanently sever the nerves, yet fail to compress the deep artery. The advanced TCCC medical standard requires a 1.5-inch wide strap. The diagram proves the math: the wide surface area safely dissipates the crushing mechanical force across the muscle. It easily occludes the deep arterial blood flow while protecting the fragile nerves from shear-force trauma.

10/24/2026

JUST 2 WEEKS UNTIL OUR NEXT FIRST AID CLASS!

Our next Athelas First Aid training day is coming up November 9th in Carleton Place, and there’s still time to register!

As a firefighter, I’ve responded to emergencies where the actions of someone on scene made a real difference before we arrived.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that emergencies don’t give you time to prepare. When someone collapses, stops breathing, or suffers a serious injury, you have to work with the knowledge and skills you already have.

That’s why I started Athelas First Aid.

I want people to walk out of our classes with more than a certificate. I want them to feel confident recognizing an emergency, making decisions under pressure, and stepping in to help when someone needs them.

And that’s exactly what we focus on in our training.

📅 NOVEMBER 9 — CARLETON PLACE

❤️ CPR-C & AED — $69 + tax
🩹 Basic First Aid — $99 + tax
🚑 Intermediate First Aid — $129 + tax

💻 Our blended courses let you complete the online theory at your own pace before coming to class for hands-on practice and realistic scenarios.

Whether you need certification for work, you’re due for recertification, or you just want to know what to do if someone you care about needs help, I’d be happy to have you in class.

You don’t have to be a first responder to make a difference in an emergency. You just have to be prepared.

⏰ Only 2 weeks to go! Register now so you have time to complete your online learning before class.

Register from the link in our bio, scan the QR code or at www.athelasfirstaid.com

Be ready. Because life happens.

10/22/2026

Heroes show up when they’re needed most. Sometimes that means recognizing the warning signs and taking action. Other times, it means supporting, inspiring or advocating for others.

The Stroke Hero Awards celebrate people and groups making a difference in the stroke community. Explore the award categories and nominate yourself or someone you know.

10/21/2026

BURNS: THE FIRST FEW MINUTES MATTER!

A hot pan, boiling water, a curling iron, or a workplace accident. Burns can happen in seconds, and knowing what to do immediately can make a real difference.

For Week 3 of our October Fire & Home Emergency Safety series, we’re talking about something everyone should know: how to treat a burn.

Here’s what to do:

1. Stop the burning. Move the person away from the heat source, provided it’s safe to do so.

2. Cool the burn. Place the affected area under clean, cool running water for at least 10 minutes. Never use ice directly on a burn.

3. Protect the injury. Remove loose jewellery and clothing before swelling develops, but never pull away anything stuck to the skin. Once cooled, loosely cover the burn with a sterile, non-stick dressing.

4. Know when to call 911. Serious or extensive burns, electrical or chemical burns, and burns involving breathing difficulties require emergency assistance.

And remember:

* No butter or toothpaste.
* No ice directly on the burn.
* Don’t pop blisters.

As a firefighter and first aid instructor, I’ve seen how important those first few minutes can be. The goal isn’t to do something complicated. It’s to do the right things, in the right order, without making the injury worse.

This week’s challenge: Make sure everyone in your household knows how to cool a burn and where to find your first aid supplies.

Be ready. Because life happens.

🌐 www.athelasfirstaid.com

10/19/2026

Here are some great shots from our class with Natural Resources Canada! Practicing some CPR, how to move patients and other fun first aid skills!

10/19/2026

Mr. Sizzle here! 🦎 I’ve got a whistle, but emergencies don’t always announce themselves.

Here are four clues I watch for:

👂 Sounds: Calls for help—or sudden, unusual silence.
👀 Sights: Someone collapsing or lying motionless.
👃 Smells: Smoke, gas, or a strong chemical odour.
💬 Behaviour: Sudden confusion or unusual drowsiness.

I take those clues seriously. If you think there may be an emergency and aren’t sure, call 911 and let the call taker guide you.

My preparation tip? Know your location, keep your first aid kit easy to find, and replace used or expired supplies. A little preparation today can help when things get stressful.

I bring the reminders; qualified instructors help you practise the skills.

Do you know where your nearest first aid kit is?

— Mr. Sizzle
Athelas First Aid

10/17/2026

What’s the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack? Well let’s get Heart & Stroke to explain!

Think a heart attack and cardiac arrest are the same thing? They're not. Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, but both are medical emergencies.

Cardiac arrest is an "electrical" problem: the heart's electrical system malfunctions and cannot pump blood to the brain and other vital organs.

A heart attack is a "plumbing" problem: the heart’s blood flow is slowed or blocked, but the heart keeps beating.

Learn more: bit.ly/3UQgaRQ.