First Aid Refresher course and exam

I was on the 2-day course yesterday and today - glad that I passed the test. I thought I have got all correct for the first aid theory but it seemed that I got 27 - wonder which 3 I got wrong? I think one of them was that I should use a large arm sling for lower arm fracture but instead I chose elevation sling which is for lower arm bleeding. The elevation sling should only be used for dislocated shoulder, ribs or collar bone fractures.The questions are more difficult than the last one I took - at least I had the highest score and there were some who had to retake the theory paper.

I must say that the course really refresh our first aid skills - esp now they have used crepe bandage instead of triangular bandage for bleeding. It makes more sense as in reality, we have been using the crepe bandage to treat open wounds. Of course, it is a must for the YOs to have the first aid cert so that the unit can also be credited with more points for the EUA.

Also learnt from Mr Thiru, our trainer, that for pregnant woman, instead of recovery position, we can support the neck and the right hand with the waist and tilt it to the left.

Mr Thiru also told us that for heart attack cases, the casualty should be seated on the floor (in case he loses consciousness) and an ambulance must be called. In the mean time, if the casualty has his medicine, we can put one under his tongue. However, we must ensure that the medicine is his and that it is not expired.

The examiner pointed out some questions which most of the participants got wrong or had difficulties with:

• Hematoma occurs when bleeding gets into the tissue.
• Hypoglycamia occurs when the sugar level is too low - glucouse or sugar water should be given.
• Asthmatic patients should be place in a comfortable position and not lay down on the floor.
• Broken glass can cause incised wound - in some severe cases, the flesh is sliced off and avulsion occurs
• For sprain, RICE is applied - the R stands for Rest and E stands for elevate
• Sign of heat exhaustion is profuse sweating and not restlessness and confusion/ dry skin with high temperature above 40 degrees (heat stroke)
• Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsiveness to check for responsiveness

For the practical test, we are tested on bandaging and CPR.

The part on bandaging was quite interesting as the examiner gave us the different scenarios - some of which I could remember:
1. Fall from the escalator - dislocation of the jaw and bleeding on the back of the hand.
2. Being hit in the market and fell - left elbow fracture and left check got cut.
3. Was hit by glass in a football game - eye injury and right wrist bleeding.
4. Was carrying some items when the item crashed on the hand - wrist fracture and bleeding on the hand.
5. Carrying some items and was pushed from behind - the eye hit against the ground and was swollen, there is bleeding on lower arm
6. Saw a casualty leaning against the wall looking very confused and could not move his arm - shoulder dislocated, finger fractured as well
7. Fight in the hawker centre - cut on the head and elbow cannot bend (fracture)
8. Fell down in an amusement park -lower arm broken with bleeding on the face.

I was also quite nervous for the CPR as during the practice, Mr Thiru pointed out that my marking for the hand for the compression was too low. Thank God I got all right for the practical test - thanks to Mr Thiru!

The CPR test was quite straight forward, unlike the test which Mr Thiru would add in surprise elements or the component on choking.

1. Check for Danger
2. Call for help - call ambulance 995
3. Knee down with legs in between shoulder and then tap on the casualty asking him 'hello are you ok? to check for Response.
4. Open the Airway with head tilt chin lift - must ensure that one hand is on the forehead and the 2 fingers (index and middle fingers) on the chin nearer to you to lift it up as well as that the elbow is on the ground.
5. Next, using the thumb on the jaw to open up the mouth to check for foreign objects.
6. Put face near victim's face and look towards the chest to check for Breathing. Look, hear and feel for 10 secs.
7. No breathing - give 2 blows. Must remember to pinch the nose and blow fully into the mouth.
8. commence CPR - using the 2 fingers to locate the marking - from the rib cage to the centre and place the 2 fingers above it. Then move the other hand which was on the forehead above that marking.
9. Lock the hand and the elbow and start the 30 compressions ....1and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 10.......
10. Repeat the 2 blows and then 30 compressions.
11. Stop only when the casualty has breathings, when help arrive or you are exhausted.
12. Check for external injuries and then place casualty on recovery position.

I am now so exhausted - from the MOE healthy lifestyle activity and then this course and exam.

MOE healthy lifestyle day

4N Kukup trip

There was a long queue at the Malaysia checkpoint and after we cleared the custom, we went to a coffee shop for our breakfast.

Our first stop was the batik centre and I must say the prices were quite steep. We then proceed to the chocolate factory - Cocoa Rich which is located at jalan Ah Siang, Tanjung Puteri. I think the students love the place as they learnt how chocolate is processed from the cocoa seeds and also get to sample the chocolate drink and varieties of chocolate. The students bought quite a lot of the hot chocolate sachets as well as chocolate.

Our next stop was the pewter industry and the students saw how pewter wares was made from casting to polishing. The students also bought some of the keychains.

We reached Kukup around 1 pm and had our sumptuous seafood lunch - chilli crabs, sambal prawns, sweet and sour fish, mussels, beancurd, vegetable, fried cuttlefish ball, cuttlefish in satay sauce and of course the crackers. However the students do not like the tea so I bought for the class Pepsi. We could not go for the village walk as it poured heavily. Instead we went to Jusco at Bukit Indah and spent an hour there.

We were back in school at 7.10 pm.

You can see below the slideshows of the photos which I took with my handphone and also the 3 video clips. I have also use the photosynth sofware to create the 3D experience at the restaurant.



































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Johor Bahru 14 Mar Crystal Crown

Went to City Square for more shopping and lunch at Sizzling stonegrill. Hubby ordered prawns and ostrich meat and I ordered prawns and scallops. The prawns are nice but the scallops a bit blend.

Johor Bahru 13 Mar 2010 Crystal Crown

Went to JB again to buy some of my medicine and more makan... I checked into Crystal Crown hotel at first and had to purchase the wireless service at RM30 per day. When I got up to the room on the 11th floor, there was no connection and I went down to the reception to get it connected. However, when I went back to the 11th floor it got disconnected again! I got so fed up with the wireless internet connection that I checked out almost immediately. Took a cab to Selesa Hotel which is near to New York Hotel. Again over here I have to purchase the wireless service at RM21 but at least it worked! We went to a small restaurant near Pelangi Plaza and wanted to try the famous "guo tiao" but was told that it was already closed at 12.30 pm so we tried the laksa, fried bee hoon and the pork ribs instead. Over there I saw a "mai kai" that was cooked in a bun!

After our lunch we took a cab down to Trebau City Jusco. I bought a pair of shoes and a bag while hubby bought a pair of jeans and a earphone. We then we took a cab back to the Pelangi Mall and then proceeded to the resturant Chez Papa which we had made a booking. I missed the foie gras and escargot. This time round we ordered the foie gras and escargot again for starters. For the main course, hubby took the ribeye and I took the stuffed quail. The ribeye was a bit tough though. We returned to our hotel and went out for supper at night. To our delight, we found the luk luk van down the street. We ate a total of 13 sticks of assorted food such as small crabs, prawns, quail eggs, mushrooms, bak kuai etc.. You can have it cooked in hot water, fried or grilled and then dip in the satay sauce, chilli sauce, thai chilli sauce or sweet sauce. Love the deep fried small crabs which was sprinkled with salt and pepper. Each stick cost RM1.60.

Bush fires

Our school was engulfed in smoke from the fire near the Tampines Service Road where vegetation over an area of about three football fields was razed yesterday. According to the news report on Straits Times it took 90 firefighters more than three hours to bring the flames under control. Twenty officers stayed overnight to ensure that all the embers were fully put out. Five fire engines were dispatched and a total of 12 water jets were set up to bring the blaze under control. The SCDF reported that no one was injured from the fire.

Students were asked to leave the school if they had nothing else on but many of us stayed in the hall for the briefing for the overseas learning journeys. I supposed I was quite badly affected as I had irritated eyes and running nose whole night as well as a bit of whizzing. I had to see the doctor today as I feared it would worsen my asthmatic condition.

According to the report on 10 March, there had been a total of 206 bush fires here so far this year, with more than half occurring last month. Last month was the driest ever February and one of the hottest on record. Experts have blamed the recent bush fires on the El Nino weather pattern which is linked to the warming of the Pacific Ocean.

Videos below showing the smoke from the bush fire at around 4 pm. It was stronger around 1pm.

The Enmazing race is back!

Many of you had been asking me about the challenge - its back! However this time round you must pay for the registeration team of 5 for $50. This $50 covers the Dri-fit Race Tees, Snacks and Drinks in the Race Kits, Photo-taking at the finishing point, Certificates of Participation, and Insurance. Payment will be made on the briefing day for participants, which will be 22 May 2010 at the Commonwealth Secondary School Auditorium, tentatively

iCTLT

iCTLT 4 March 2010

Theme: Advancing Learning with ICT
Innovate Collaborate Transform

Will be down for the conference for today and tomorrow - posted on http://ezitnew.blogspot.com/

I have really learnt a lot from the conference e.g. http://photosynth.net