The best/ most clear recommendation comes from the First Aid Code of Practice. code_of_practice_-_first_aid_in_the_workplace_0_0.pdf (418.3 KB) See below the screenshot with the specific reference:

Your defibrillator should be visible and easily accessible to everyone that may enter your premises, and in a location that is not obstructed. There are a wide variety of storage options available, including; Wall brackets Internal wall cabinets Alarmed cabinets External wall cabinets Monitored cabinets Backpacks

It is essential to consider the risks to your workforce and anyone else that visits your premises, to determine whether you should have a defibrillator (or multiple) on site. Factors to consider include; An ageing population - Age increases the likely hood of SCA occurring Urban locations - Increased difficulty for emergency responders to reach due to traffic, stairs, escalators etc High rise buildings - People living above floor 16 have a less than 1% chance of survival from SCA unless a defibrillator is present. Remote locations - Longer response times by emergency services.

Whilst technologically advanced, Defibrillators still need to be monitored to ensure they are fully functional and can work effectively when needed. Our defibrillators come with built-in technology that will give users warning signs of any issues, and we recommend that organisations check their devices weekly. Expiration dates The batteries and pads in your defibrillator are they key functions that deliver the shock to the patient. Pads are single-use, and both the pads and batteries have expiration dates, so it is essential that you keep an eye on when they’ll need replacing. Not sure how to use your Defibrillator? Contact us 1300 278 868 or email info@microfirm.com.au

Defibrillators should be available in just about every location imaginable, as you never know when someone is about to be struck by an SCA. Remember, it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Similar to fire extinguishers and first aid kits, defibrillators should not be locked away in a cupboard, and should be easily accessible to everyone. If you don’t have a defibrillator, install one of the many AED location apps available to end users. A great example is the GoodSAM app which is active in Victoria. Being familiar with the locations of nearby AEDs will help you easily find an available AED in the event of an emergency. If you don't have a defibrillator - you should really consider having one readily available on your site. Microfirm have a range of defibrillators and accessories which you can view here.

Students ask you the question “I have completed by First Aid Course last month, however it does not appear on the USI Registry The USI transcripts are uploaded to NCVER every quarter So for Students who have completed the Training here are the expected time frame AVETMISS reporting is cumulative – so this means that if student data is not available at the time of the quarterly submission (for example someone was Competent Missing Evidence at submission time or had not supplied us a valid USI) but they provide evidence later then this updated information should be picked up in the next quarterly report. But there are no further updates after the annual submission (unless we lodge a manual update). We can not do a ‘‘manual update’’ for a student until the full submission year is over. For example, if the student missed the reporting deadline for the first quarter we could not manually add them so that the training appeared on the USI Transcript at the time that their certificate is issued in say April. They would need to wait until the next quarterly submission period.

The new course, PUAEME008 Provide pain management, supersedes and is equivalent to PUAEME005 Provide pain management. As the two units are equivalent and there are minimal changes between the training packages, all trainers currently approved for PUAEME005 will be auto-approved for the new unit. Please allow a few days for this to occur. Q. What are the key changes to this course A. Only minor reorganisation of questions and wording changes were made in the assessment. Q. Will we still continue to deliver the superseded/old units? A. Yes however, a course cut-off date has been set for the 30th of June 2023. Q. What actions are immediately required? A. No course bookings for the old unit willbe accepted past the 30th of June 2023. Please note: The content and assessment primarily covers aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen and methoxyflurane. Entonox is only covered in the learning content.

When it comes to first aid auditing, should you ‘DIY’ or should you outsource it? There are pros and cons to both - and you might be surprised at how simple it can actually be! Read on to find out. First aid kit auditing Let's face it - auditing first aid kits is not a priority on the to-do list of many workplaces. Everyone is busy getting on with what they do best – their business. Opening your first aid kit to the clutter of contents, empty packets and missing items all together is enough to make anyone put kit auditing in the too hard basket! You may have multiple kits that have been neglected for some time that are in dire need of attention. But we're here to say to any workplace who needs to hear it: don't put it off anymore! In an emergency (which can unexpectedly happen at any moment), the last thing you want to do is open your first aid kit and find it looks like this: Why do I need to audit my first aid kits? To put it simply, there are 3 key reasons why you need to audit your first aid kits regularly; Comply – to ensure you are compliant with WHS requirements which are law Prepare – to ensure your first aid kit is prepared for emergencies and you are familiar with what’s inside Respond – to ensure your first aid kit is adequately stocked, easily accessible and visible, ready to respond Ok, so we agree that auditing first aid kits so as they stay up to date, ready to go and compliant is important. Now you're ready to audit your kit - but where do you begin? Traditionally, a lot of workplaces think it’s easier to just outsource it; Hiring an external first aid service company to come to you to service your kit at regular intervals. Let's talk about outsourcing Outsourcing your auditing When you outsource your first aid kit auditing, you will be paying for a service which may include call out fees, hourly service fees, and/or per kit checking fees on top of the first aid items required to replenish your first aid kits. You will need to arrange for regular checks of your kits. The first aid service company will come at a suitable time arranged with you and will check your first aid kits and add in any missing items, remove used or expired contents and replace with unexpired consumables. You'll then need to schedule the next audit at the appropriate interval. The ‘pros’ for outsourcing are pretty obvious: Convenient It saves you the worry of having to check your first aid kits yourself Saves time Saves you the time and hassle having to self-audit your kits Whilst it saves you the hassle of auditing, there are definitely some downfalls to outsourcing you need to be aware of. You're not in control of your first aid If there's been a major use of your first aid kit (contents have been opened and used), you're either needing to wait until the next scheduled audit or arrange a call out for it to be refilled - a potential serious hazard if you need those contents for another emergency! You're paying for 'convenience' Service fees, call out fees, hourly check fees, the list goes on! Outsourcing auditing is a higher cost model. Risk of overstocking We’ve seen this one many times. Service agents may include extra unnecessary first aid items that you simply don’t use. You cannot contract out your responsibility for compliance Employers must understand that they remain 100% responsible and accountable for their workplace being compliant. Let's discuss auditing your first aid kits yourself. As with anything in life, there can be a learning curve with something new, but the benefits when you know what you're doing far outweigh the option of outsourcing your first aid kit auditing. The ‘pros’ for DIY may be less obvious. Let’s take a look: You're in control of your first aid Your people are your asset so show you care about them by having up to date, prepared and ready to go first aid kits. It is the obligation of every employer to ensure they are in control of their first aid. Get compliant, stay compliant As we said earlier, you cannot contract out your responsibility for compliance. Ensure your first aid is in good hands, and no better hands than your own! On demand Audit your kits on demand, immediately after an incident and re-order consumables pronto. No waiting for a service agent to come on-site (especially if your workplace is out of metro and less of a priority for service agents) No unnecessary fees Only pay for what you use and need. No call out our hourly service fees. Contactless, saves time and reduce administrative burden No need to spend time reviewing contracts, services costs or organising a service agent to come on site. DIY auditing also makes for a contactless self-service solution (no visitor sign ins or site inductions) The verdict We believe first aid should be easy and accessible for everyone. It should be a simple process that ensures that you're always first aid prepared for any emergency situation whilst always staying compliant. Whilst the convenience of outsourcing your first aid kits auditing may sound attractive, it is important to remember that you cannot contract out your responsibility for first aid. We believe DIY auditing is your best path to first aid compliance, being prepared and ready to respond. If you are reading this thinking that you would really love to go down the DIY route, but your current first aid kits are a mess, then we highly recommend you take a fresh look at updating your kits.

Understanding the Use of Adrenaline Auto-Injectors in First Aid When it comes to managing anaphylaxis in an emergency, the guidelines for using adrenaline auto-injectors are often based on the assumption that paramedics will arrive quickly and that first aiders might not have spare auto-injectors available. However, real-world situations don’t always follow these ideal scenarios, particularly with challenges like hospital ramping and potential delays in paramedic responses. This raises a crucial question: what should you do if help is delayed? Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical emergency where the casualty’s condition can deteriorate rapidly. The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines generally recommend the use of two doses of an auto-injector, spaced five minutes apart. However, these guidelines may not fully account for the ongoing deterioration of a patient when immediate medical help is not available. In many workplaces, it is standard practice to have at least one adrenaline auto-injector on hand, and in some cases, a spare may also be available. These resources are critical, especially when paramedics may take longer to arrive due to distance or other factors. An adrenaline auto-injector delivers a dose of adrenaline that is approximately half the strength of what paramedics would typically administer intramuscularly. While this dose may seem modest, it is often a crucial first step in managing anaphylaxis. To help understanding this, imagine the patient’s condition as an escalator going down. The further they decline, the harder it becomes for them to recover with medication alone. Administering an auto-injector in such a situation is akin to slowing down this descent, providing the patient with a better chance to stabilise until more advanced medical help can take over. Using an adrenaline auto-injector is essentially the first line of defence in anaphylaxis management. It buys precious time, possibly slowing down the patient’s deterioration and allowing for the administration of additional doses if necessary. This early intervention is critical in emergencies where every second counts, as it helps prevent the condition from worsening rapidly and improves the patient’s chances of recovery. If paramedics have not arrived and the patient has not responded to the initial two doses, it may be necessary to administer a further dose, particularly if the signs and symptoms strongly indicate anaphylaxis. If the diagnosis is clear and the patient remains in a critical state, additional doses of adrenaline may be necessary to prevent the situation from becoming fatal. However, the decision to administer a third dose should be made with caution. If paramedics are delayed and the patient’s condition is still critical, a third dose might be necessary around 10 minutes after the first. In such cases, continuing to administer adrenaline could be the key to saving the patient’s life. Furthermore, if you are in contact with 000 and there is a delay in ambulance response, the operator may suggest administering a further injection if the situation is deemed critical. This may help validate your decision whether to administer or not. Early and decisive action in these scenarios can make all the difference. Understanding the proper use of adrenaline auto-injectors and being prepared to act swiftly can significantly improve the chances of a positive outcome in anaphylactic emergencies.

It’s that time of year when snakes warm up and start moving around again, and when people are spending more recreational time outside, a combination that can lead to close encounters of the venomous kind.Australia is home to about 110 land snake species and about 32 sea snakes. However, 21 of the 25 most venomous snakes in the world inhabit our wide brown land. Death adders, taipans, brown snakes, copperheads and tiger snakes are all classed as extremely venomous. Fortunately, death from snake bite is rare, in spite of around 3,000 snake bite reports each year – on average, fewer than 5 fatalities annually.Around the Sunshine Coast, from Caloundra to Noosa on the coast, and from Caboolture to Nambour inland, the most commonly encountered suburban snakes are: Non-venomous: coastal carpet python, common tree snake· Mildly venomous: white crowned snake· Potentially dangerous: yellow faced whip snake· Highly venomous: red bellied black snake, eastern brown snake. Treatment for snake bite Ensure the safety of everyone.Call the ambulance on triple zero (000). Treat immediately: Immobilisation – keep the person still and as calm as possible to slow the spread of the venom. Pressure – apply firm pressure on the bite. For bites on limbs, apply pressure bandages, and splint the limb to restrict movement; make the bite site on the bandage (this helps the paramedics and doctors). If the bite is not on a limb, apply firm direct pressure on the bite site. If cardiac arrest occurs, provide cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Record as much information as you can – time of the bite, description of the snake, time the bandage was applied. Microfirm Training provides free downloadable first aid charts, including a chart for snake bite (and funnel web spider bite), which lists the snake bite signs and symptoms, and provides step-by-step the pressure immobilisation technique (PIT). Microfirm Training also sells snake and funnel web spider bite first aid kits online To book into your next first aid course, please book online into one of our public courses or phone 1300 278 868.

RACGP The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) state that GPs need to complete CPR training every three years. This is the minimum requirement to meet CPD and the standards. Our Courses delivered on behalf of Allens Training’s (RTO90909) are nationally recognised CPR courses, officially known as HTLAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, meet the requirements by RACGP to be counted towards the BLS/CPR CPD requirement for the 2020-2022 triennium. Our courses follow Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines, include the use of an AED (defibrillator) and are typically a minimum 2-hour course. We offer different delivery options involving a combination of online learning and face-to-face learning. However, training cannot be completely completed online as there will always be mandatory practical tasks that must be performed in front of a trainer. After successful completion of this course, GPs will be awarded 5 CPD points, and the course also meets the 3 yearly CPR/BLS requirement. Further information can be found here on the RACGP website. To claim the CPD points for your CPR course, all you need to do it submit your CPR certificate (statement of attainment) via your CPD dashboard or send the certificate to RACGP direct. AHPRA The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) works with the 15 National Boards to regulate Australian health professionals. This covers a range of health professionals including chiropractors, dentists, nurses and midwives, occupational therapists, optometrists, osteopaths, pharmacists, physiotherapist, podiatrists, psychologists, and others. All these professions have CPD requirements that they must meet. According to Ahpra, CPD is how members maintain, improve, and broaden their knowledge, expertise, and competence, and develop the personal and professional qualities needed throughout their professional lives. The Optometry Board states that you must have completed training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within the previous three registration periods. Similar requirements apply for other health professionals. To find out more about each boards requirement please visit the relevant boards website. Nurses and Midwives The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) also require its members to participate in annual continuing professional development (CPD). This involves nurses and midwives to complete a minimum number of hours directly relevant to a nurse or midwife’s context of practice. Our HTLAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation courses can count towards nurse CPD. Group Bookings for PD Opportunities Microfirm Training is experienced at arranging group professional development sessions to deliver CPR Training. These sessions involve the delivery of the nationally recognised unit (HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) course by a suitable qualified training professional and are often accompanied by a networking session for the participants. If required, we can also arrange catering for these events. Our team can work with your organisation to arrange a tailored session that suits your cohort. Please get in touch with our team training@microfirm.com.au or call us on 1300 278 868 to see how we can assist your group with the professional development requirements.