Basic First Aid Skills Everyone Should Know

Being able to perform basic first aid is a beneficial skill that everyone should learn. Whether you’re out in the wilderness and your hiking partner breaks an ankle, or you’re eating dinner and your child chokes, knowing what to do in case of such an emergency can save lives.

Performing first aid on a person is not without risk, however, and you should be aware of the potential dangers as well as the ethical and legal ramifications of first aid. The information below is not intended to replace first-hand experience, nor does it deal with the issues mentioned above.

First aid classes are usually offered for minimal charge at community colleges, health centers, Red Cross centers, and through your local fire station. Contact these organizations to see if they are holding classes near you.

Types of First Aid Skills
Below is a list of some common first aid skills you should know. A first aid class will teach you how to perform these basic skills.

CPR
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It should be performed on people who are not breathing and have no heartbeat. CPR differs for infants, children and adults. CPR can also be performed on animals.

Choking
If a person is truly chocking, they will not be able to breath, speak, or cough. If the person is coughing, let them. This is the best way to remove anything lodged in the breathing pipes. If the person is not able to cough, speak, or breathe, the Heimlich Maneuver should be performed.

Broken Bones
Unless you are far away from a hospital, a broken bone is usually not a life threatening emergency. If you are far from a doctor or emergency facilities, however, it’s useful to know how to splint a broken bone.

Bleeding
A bleeding wound can often be treated by applying direct pressure to the area. The wound should also be elevated above the heart. If these steps don’t work, however, a tourniquet can be applied. Applying a tourniquet is a last resort measure, and needs to be applied properly.

Other Types of First Aid Skills
Other common first aid skills that are beneficial to know include: how-to treat a person in shock, how-to treat a person having a seizure, how-to treat burns, eye injuries, poisoning, heat stroke, hypothermia, and more.

It is also a good idea to have a complete first-aid kit in your home, vehicle, and outdoor gear. Many of these first aid kits come with cards that show you how-to perform basic first aid skills. For more information and training, please visit your local fire station, health center, community college, or Red Cross chapter.

Food For What Ails You

In an article entitled "Mood Foods: 6 Snacks to Kick Your Mind Into Gear," the Men's Health Editor of Active.com discusses what foods to eat to improve our minds and moods.

Stressed? Eat a handful of magnesium packed sunflower seeds.

Anxiety can be eased by eating lean protein, such as chicken. Protein helps your brain create important chemicals that keep you calm and alert.

If depression's got you down, fish is your answer. A study found that people who eat fish are 31% less likely to suffer from depression.

Feelings of bewilderment call for eating colorful fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries.

Insecurity can be combated with chocolate. Chocolate contains chemicals that cheer you up and create euphoric feelings.

How-to De-Allergize Your Home

Allergies can make you miserable. From their obvious side-effects like itching, sneezing, watery eyes, and a stuffed up nose, to their more hidden aspects, such as headaches, lung problems, and even low blood pressure, allergies affect millions of people. In fact, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that an estimated 50 million Americans suffer from some form of allergies. It is the 5th leading chronic disease in the United States, and the 3rd for children under 18 years of age. Unfortunately, there is not a 100% effective cure for allergies—years and years of allergy shots are the closest option—only proper treatment and prevention strategies.

While many people experience allergies to grass and pollen, most don't consider inside sources to also be a trigger. Dust mites, molds, and pet dander are all potential allergen sources. What can you do to turn your home into an allergy free environment?

• Remove your shoes when entering the home. They can track outdoor sources of allergens inside.

• Dust everywhere—including and especially behind beds and bed frames--regularly with a damp cloth.

• Replace your carpet with hardwood and/or tile, and eliminate rugs, drapes, and anything made with feathers. All can harbor dust mites.

• Wash your bedding in 130 degree water at least once a week, and use allergen free mattress and pillow protectors.

• Regularly check corners and windowsills for mold. If you find mold, clean it, and seek out better ventilation options, such as exhaust fans.

• Houseplants can also harbor mold. A thin layer of pebbles over the top of the soil can prevent spores from growing.

Five Plants for Heart Health

Heart disease is the number one killer among Americans. According to the American Federation for Aging Research, one in three men and one in ten women will develop heart disease before age sixty. While age and genetics do play a large role in heart conditions, scientists recognize the importance of lifestyle factors in determining heart disease risk. A healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and exercise, among other things, can help reduce your risk for heart disease. Along with eating healthy foods that are high in fiber, antioxidants, monounsaturated fats and other fatty acids, the following five plants are useful in maintaining a healthy heart, and treating a heart that has damage.

As always, before starting any homeopathic regiment, it's important to discuss it with your doctor. Anything, even plants, taken in the wrong quantity, or the wrong way, can have harmful consequences.

Astragalus
Astragalus is an adaptoge, which helps protect the body against various stresses. It has been shown to lower blood pressure, and in people who already have heart disease, it offers beneficial antioxidants during treatment.

The root of the astragalus plant is usually used in teas, extracts, or capsules, and is commonly mixed with ginseng, angelica, and licorice.

Barberry
Barberry has spiny leaves and bright yellow flowers that bloom from April through June. In the fall, the flowers become dark red berries. The root and bark of the barberry contains isoquinoline alkaloids which have antibiotic properties. For the heart, barberry has proved effective in reducing and normalizing heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

You can find barberry in tea, capsules, tinctures, or extracts.

Chrysanthemum
Often shortened to the name 'mum,' chrysanthemums are a genus of plant containing about thirty species of flowers native to Asia and Europe. Chrysanthemum is used to treat circulatory disorders, including atherosclerosis (inflammation of the arteries). It is also used as a treatment for high blood pressure.

Chrysanthemum is most often drunk as a tea.

Garlic
Taken for the heart, garlic can strengthen blood vessels and lower blood pressure. It is often used in treating arteriosclerosis, circulatory diseases, and heart disorders.

Garlic can be eaten raw, cooked, or taken in capsule form.

Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a genus of shrubs and small trees that grow up to 15 m tall and sport thorny branches and clusters of pome fruit, or flowers. Hawthorn contains a wide variety of flavonoids, including the heart friendly flavonoid vitexin. The plant provides many benefits to the heart, including dilating coronary blood vessels, restoring heart muscle wall, and lowering cholesterol. It's commonly used to treat chronic heart failure, high blood pressure, and an irregular heart beat.

Use the hawthorn berry in tincture or capsule form.