Suspected Pelvic Fractures: A Guide for Advanced First Aiders

Suspected Pelvic Fractures: A Guide for Advanced First Aiders

Pelvic fractures are serious injuries that can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding. This guide for advanced first aiders covers common causes such as vehicle collisions and falls from height, how to recognize signs and symptoms in the field, and step-by-step instructions for proper pelvic immobilization, including correct binder placement over the iliac crests. Learn how to provide effective prehospital care while minimizing complications and preparing for rapid transport.

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Understanding Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Airway Adjuncts in Prehospital Care

Understanding Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Airway Adjuncts in Prehospital Care

Airway management is the cornerstone of emergency care. From simple oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways to supraglottic devices and endotracheal intubation, prehospital providers need to know when—and how—to use each tool. This guide explains the essential skills and decision-making strategies for basic, intermediate, and advanced airway adjuncts to help responders keep patients breathing and safe.

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Fun Fall Craft Ideas for Babysitters: Creative Weekend & After-School Activities

Fun Fall Craft Ideas for Babysitters: Creative Weekend & After-School Activities

Keep kids happy and creative after school this fall! As the weather cools and evenings come earlier, babysitters can turn ordinary afternoons into cozy craft sessions. These fun, budget-friendly fall projects—like leaf prints, pinecone animals, and pumpkin paper lanterns—are easy to set up with simple supplies and little mess. Perfect for after-school babysitting or weekend care, these activities give children a screen-free way to relax, build fine-motor skills, and celebrate the colors of the season while making your babysitting time both enjoyable and memorable.

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Responding to Patients with Schizophrenia: De-escalation and Best Practices

Responding to Patients with Schizophrenia: De-escalation and Best Practices

Discover how first responders and healthcare providers can use calm communication and evidence-based techniques to safely assist patients experiencing schizophrenia.

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Caring for Patients in Wheelchairs: Best Practices for Medical Professionals

Caring for Patients in Wheelchairs: Best Practices for Medical Professionals

Adhering to Red Cross standards and integrating clinical best practices ensures the safety, comfort, and dignity of wheelchair users. By assessing needs, using safe transfer techniques, monitoring clinical risks, and maintaining open communication, medical professionals and first responders can provide care that is both effective and compassionate. Every patient is unique, so observe, ask, and adapt to individual needs while prioritizing safety and respect.

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Hypoxia 101: Symptoms, Causes, and First Aid Tips

Hypoxia 101: Symptoms, Causes, and First Aid Tips

Hypoxia can lead to irreversible brain damage within minutes. Rapid recognition, airway management, aggressive oxygenation, and swift treatment of the underlying cause—especially opioid-related respiratory depression—are essential to preserving neurological function and improving outcomes.

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Croup vs. Epiglottitis in Children: What First Responders and Parents Need to Know

Croup vs. Epiglottitis in Children: What First Responders and Parents Need to Know

Breathing problems in children can be terrifying, and knowing the difference between croup and epiglottitis could save a life. Parents need to know the warning signs, while first responders must act quickly and carefully. Here’s how to tell them apart and what steps to take in an emergency.

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Distracting Injuries: Pulling Focus and Masking Pain

Distracting Injuries: Pulling Focus and Masking Pain

In trauma care, some injuries grab all the attention—but they aren’t always the deadliest. Distracting injuries can mislead responders and mask life-threatening conditions. Here’s what every first responder needs to know about spotting them, staying systematic, and keeping patient safety the top priority.

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Becoming a Paramedic in Canada: How EMR Training Fits Into the Bigger Picture

Becoming a Paramedic in Canada: How EMR Training Fits Into the Bigger Picture

Thinking about becoming a paramedic in Canada? It starts with understanding the paramedicine pathway. This blog explains where EMR training fits into the journey and why it’s a key first step toward a rewarding career in emergency services.

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Stay Safe 101: Teaching Your Children Safety Basics

Stay Safe 101: Teaching Your Children Safety Basics

Teaching children safety rules helps them make confident choices. This guide covers stranger safety, road and vehicle rules, home hazards, water awareness, first aid, and online safety tips for parents.

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ETCO₂: What It Is and Why It Matters for First Responders

When you first hear the term ETCO₂, it might sound like complicated medical jargon. But in reality, it’s a simple concept that every professional responder should understand — and once you do, it can completely change the way you see your patients.

Let’s break it down step by step.

What Does ETCO₂ Mean?

ETCO₂ stands for End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide.

  • End-Tidal = the very end of an exhaled breath.

  • Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) = the waste gas your body produces when it uses oxygen for energy.

So, ETCO₂ is literally the measurement of how much CO₂ is in the air a patient breathes out at the very end of their breath.

This number tells us an incredible amount about what’s going on inside the body — with both the lungs and the heart.

How Do We Measure ETCO₂?

ETCO₂ is measured using a device called capnography.

  • In simple terms, it’s a little sensor attached to a mask, nasal cannula, or an airway device.

  • It continuously analyzes the breath coming out and gives two things:

    1. A number (usually measured in mmHg, with normal being about 35–45 mmHg).

    2. A waveform (a little graph showing how the CO₂ rises and falls with each breath).

Why Is ETCO₂ Important?

Here’s the key: ETCO₂ reflects how well a patient is ventilating (moving air), but it also gives clues about circulationand metabolism. That’s why responders call it the “vital sign of ventilation.”

Think of it as a window into three systems at once:

  1. Airway & Breathing

    • Low or absent ETCO₂ can mean the patient isn’t breathing well, has an obstructed airway, or isn’t ventilated properly with a bag-valve mask.

  2. Circulation (Blood Flow)

    • In cardiac arrest, ETCO₂ is a powerful indicator of CPR quality. Good chest compressions circulate blood, and ETCO₂ rises.

    • A sudden spike in ETCO₂ can even mean return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) — the patient’s heart has started beating again.

  3. Metabolism

    • Conditions like sepsis, diabetic emergencies, or shock can alter CO₂ levels. ETCO₂ helps responders piece together the bigger clinical picture.

Real-World Examples for Responders

  • Cardiac Arrest: ETCO₂ below 10 mmHg during CPR often means compressions aren’t effective. When it jumps above 35 suddenly, it may mean you’ve got ROSC.

  • Airway Management: If you intubate a patient and see a nice ETCO₂ waveform, you know the tube is in the trachea (not the stomach).

  • Respiratory Emergencies: In asthma or COPD, ETCO₂ waveforms can show “shark fin” patterns, helping you confirm and monitor the severity.

  • Sedation & Monitoring: If a patient is given pain medication, ETCO₂ helps detect if their breathing slows down before oxygen levels drop.

Why Should EMRs and Fire Applicants Care?

As an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or a firefighter applicant, understanding ETCO₂ gives you an edge. It shows you’re not just memorizing steps, but actually thinking about what’s happening inside the body.

  • It ties together your knowledge of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system.

  • It reinforces the importance of ventilation, circulation, and metabolic function.

  • And most importantly, it helps you make better decisions in high-pressure situations.

The Bottom Line

ETCO₂ might sound technical, but at its core it’s simple: it’s how we measure how well a patient is breathing and circulating. For responders, it’s one of the most valuable tools you can use to guide patient care, especially in emergencies where seconds matter.

At Delta Emergency Support Training, we break down concepts like ETCO₂ in plain language and then show you how to apply them in real-world scenarios. Our courses are taught by active paramedics and firefighters, so you’ll learn not just the “what,” but the “why” and “how” behind every skill.

International Trauma Life Support: A Structural Approach to Trauma

International Trauma Life Support: A Structural Approach to Trauma

Need to take ITLS but not sure what it entails? We’ll break it down for you. International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) gives professional responders the tools to quickly assess, stabilize, and manage trauma patients in high-stress situations. From airway management to bleeding control and spinal care, this course equips you with practical, hands-on skills that could save lives when every second counts.

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Life on the Rig: What It Really Means to Be an Oilfield Medic

Life on the Rig: What It Really Means to Be an Oilfield Medic

Being an oilfield medic is a common career step for new EMRs in Alberta. The job can feel slow and uneventful at times, but when emergencies happen, every second matters. Staying sharp, keeping medical equipment updated, and preparing for long stretches of remote care are what make oilfield medics a critical lifeline for workers far from advanced medical support.

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Alberta Fire Applicants & EMRs: Master the Medical Portion with Paramedics and Firefighters

Alberta Fire Applicants & EMRs: Master the Medical Portion with Paramedics and Firefighters

Succeeding in the medical portion of a firefighter or EMR application in Alberta comes down to mastering the fundamentals under pressure. At Delta Emergency Support Training, active paramedics and firefighters teach you vital patient assessment skills, accurate vitals, effective communication, and safe medication administration.

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How EMRs Can Succeed in Remote and Isolated Worksites

How EMRs Can Succeed in Remote and Isolated Worksites

Working as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) on a remote worksite means being ready for anything—from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies—often with limited resources and no backup nearby. Whether you’re on an oilfield, logging site, or rural road, you may be the only trained responder for hours. Success depends on preparation, strong communication, and the ability to improvise. By mastering these skills, EMRs ensure that patients receive the best possible care until advanced help arrives.

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Weathering the Storm: Responding to Emergencies in Harsh Conditions

Weathering the Storm: Responding to Emergencies in Harsh Conditions

Bad weather doesn’t stop emergencies, and it shouldn’t stop responders from being ready. From icy roads to scorching heat, first responders face unique challenges that affect both their safety and their patients’ well-being. This guide explores how weather impacts patient care, what responders can do to prepare, and key strategies to ensure safety when working in rain, snow, heat, or storms.

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Festival First Aid: How Fun Can Turn Dangerous Fast

Festival First Aid: How Fun Can Turn Dangerous Fast

Festivals are all about music, friends, and unforgettable moments — but fun can turn dangerous fast if you’re not prepared. From heat exhaustion and crowd surges to substance use and stranger risks, knowing the basics of festival first aid and safety can make the difference between a great time and a trip to the medical tent. Stay safe, look out for your friends, and keep the good vibes going all weekend long.

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Stranger Danger: The Tough but Necessary Talks Every Parent Must Have

Stranger Danger: The Tough but Necessary Talks Every Parent Must Have

Talking to kids about stranger danger is never easy, but it’s necessary in today’s world. From identifying unsafe situations to knowing the rule of “never go anywhere without permission,” these conversations can empower children to stay safe and know when to act.

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Little Patients, Big Impact: Treating Kids as a First Responder

Little Patients, Big Impact: Treating Kids as a First Responder

Pediatric emergencies can be emotionally intense and medically complex, but with the right approach, first responders can provide life-saving care while calming young patients and their families. From airway management to emotional connection, this guide covers key strategies for treating children with confidence and compassion.

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Be Ready for the Unexpected: First Aid Skills Every Hunter Should Know

Be Ready for the Unexpected: First Aid Skills Every Hunter Should Know

Hunting is a beloved Canadian tradition, but heading into the bush without first aid training puts you and your group at risk. Learn the importance of being prepared with skills like bleeding control, wound care, and shock management. Whether you hunt with family, friends, or solo—make sure you're ready to protect what matters most.

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