<![CDATA[MJ First Aid Training - West Midlands - Student and Instructor Blog]]>Thu, 24 May 2012 08:23:55 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[No Compulsory Microchipping of Dogs - Right to Choose Responsible department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]]>Mon, 14 May 2012 10:34:44 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/05/no-compulsory-microchipping-of-dogs-right-to-choose-responsible-department-department-for-environment-food-and-rural-affairs.html DEFRA are consulting on amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act and recommending compulsory micro-chipping of all dogs as part of the new regulations. We believe that a micro-chip does not make a dog safer or an owner more responsible, and furthermore the safety of micro-chipping has simply been assumed. This is NOT universally agreed. Some responsible owners choose not to use microchips to identify their animals because of research that questions their long-term safety. Tattoos and other alternatives exist and should be considered legitimate alternative measures not least because they do not require specialist equipment to read and could therefore prove even more helpful to organisations involved in returning lost pets to owners and to authorities in contacting the owners of problem dogs. Please sign up if you'd like DEFRA to think again and preserve your right to choose the method of identification you believe is best and safest for your 'best friend'.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/33375

]]><![CDATA[Good Samaritan Nominations]]>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:14:55 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/04/good-samaritan-nominations.htmlIf you or someone you know has used their First Responder Skills in a real life situtation then we would like to recognise the use of those skills with a Good Samaritan award and you can nominate yourself or your friend by commenting to this post or emailing us using the contact form, we look forward to hearing from you.
]]><![CDATA[Responders In Action]]>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:12:06 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/04/responders-in-action.htmlIf you have recieved First Responder Training and had to use those skills in a real life situtuaion we would like to know about it so please feel free to share you experience by commenting on this post.
]]><![CDATA[Canine First Aid Courses]]>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:56:59 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/03/canine-first-aid-courses.htmlCanine First Responder
Before we launched the Canine First Responder Course in September of 2008 there were only two training providers offering anything remotely resembling a CPR and First Aid Course for Dogs.

Since then there seems to be a whole gamut of courses on offer from a two hour course with a pamphlet to the more expensive courses with no indication of what student materials are available to attendees.

Unlike human First Aid and CPR courses whose content is strictly governed by ILCOR and BLSWC which makes courses regionally standardised and the same course content is taught regardless of the training agency or certification body, the animal first aid courses are far from standardised and content can vary wildly.

Here at MJ First Aid Training we are proud of the fact that we borrowed from the same standardisation of human first Aid and CPR Protocols to bring you the best possible practical course available to you along with the most up to date comprehensive student manuals and audio visuals.

So, to borrow a phrase from elsewhere, “Why settle for the rest when you can have the best?” 

Our Canine First Responder Course is also approved by Emergency First Response, the largest certification agency worldwide for First and CPR.

www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk
www.mjfirstaidsupplies.co.uk
www.caninefirstresponder.co.uk
www.canine-rehabilitation.co.uk 
www.webinarbehaviourist.co.uk
]]><![CDATA[Scheduled Courses]]>Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:05:00 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/02/scheduled-courses.htmlWe have been receiving more and more email enquires for courses with the emphasis on our cancellation policy. This started to lead us to ask the questions why this was of an interest all of a sudden.

The answer? Well it seems that people have been booking on courses with other training providers and Organisations and they seem to have minimum number of participants before they will go ahead with the course (Usually between 8 - 12 people) but they take the booking and course fees in full and many have cancelled the course with as little notice as the night before.

This is unfortunate for the people who book on a course as often they may be travelling quite a distance to attend and made family arrangements for child and/or animal care while they attend. Since we began as a full time training provider we have never cancelled a course even when a short stay in hospital interupted a weekend of training I had scheduled, one of our other Instructors stepped in and ran the weekend for me with no inconvinience to the students.

This has led us to place our course guarantee on the courses pages which goes as follows:

Our Course Guarantee to You

Unlike other course providers who cancel their courses at the last minute due to insufficient numbers (Usually 12 people), if we have a course scheduled it will run even if it's one to one so you can book with us knowing only acts of Natural Disater will prevent us from running your course on your chosen date.

Mike
www.mjfirstaidsupplies.co.uk
www.canine-rehabilitation.co.uk

]]><![CDATA[Snake Bites]]>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:46:12 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/02/snake-bites.htmlThe question of Snake bites to Dogs often comes up on our Canine First Responder Courses so we have researched the subject and posted the following article.

How harmful are adders? The adder is the only British venomous snake, a fact which has earned it a dubious public image. Bites from adders are very rare, and the vast majority occur when a snake is picked up. Most reactions to adder bites are mild, but any bite should be regarded as potentially serious and immediate medical advice should be sought. In the last century, 12 human deaths in Britain have been attributed to adder bites (this compares with several deaths every year due to insect stings).

Bites to cats and dogs do occur, but rarely prove fatal. Vets and doctors in areas where adders occur are aware of the treatment required in handling bite cases, and effective treatment is now well understood.

www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk
www.mjfirstaidsupplies.co.uk
www.caninefirstresponder.co.uk

Male Adder

Female Adder

]]><![CDATA[Cold Weather and Dogs]]>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:16:35 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/02/cold-weather-and-dogs.htmlThis time of year with the cold weather questions often arise about the effects on dogs. Although Frost bite is rare in the UK with dogs it can happen. Common sense has to prevail and we must keep an eye on the length of time our dogs spend out in the snow and ice.

Frost bite is the forming of ice crystals in the skin cells and tissues .Frost bite typically affects the extremities such as the feet, tail, ears and nose. If your dog is paying undue attention to his feet, tail, ears or nose in the cold weather snaps then get him checked over by the vet. If you suspect frost bite then immediate first aid treatment is to keep them warm. Do not be tempted to apply heat packs or hot water bottles to the affected area. Warm them gently by rubbing with a clean dry towel and seek veterinary advice.

Interestingly, Northern breeds like the Eskimo dog, Siberian Husky, Malamute, etc, have a natural defence against frost bite to the paws and have a reduction valve in their circulatory system at the joint of the paw and lower leg. This valve send just enough blood flow through the paw but redirects the rest back in to the circulatory system to aid in the prevention of frost bite.

Another potential risk is Hypothermia and again common sense plays a part of not letting the dog spend too much time outdoors. If your dog displays signs of Hperthermia such as uncordinated movement, confusion, shivering, then please call for veterinary advice and again we warm them gently by wrapping them in a clean dry blanket. Do not be tempted to warm to quickly with heat packs, hot water bottles or in front of the fire.

Mike and the Team
www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk
www.mjfirstaidsupplies.co.uk
]]><![CDATA[Welcome to the Student and Instructor Blog]]>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:28:08 +0000http://www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk/3/post/2012/01/welcome-to-all.htmlThis Blog Spot has been started for all of our students and Instructors. It is a place for sharing questions and answers, experiences and thoughts all we ask is that posters be courteous to others here and please refrain from negative comments towards other individuals and organisations as well as negative language.

Feel free to post your questions and experiences as this helps us to enhance our courses with better and relevant content and also helps others who may have the same questions but no idea where to access the answers or, if you have a question in general this is a useful place to start because if you email us we may not be able to get the answer to you straight away if you are looking for a quick response and one of the other Instructors or Directors may be able to answer the question for you.

Mike and the Team
www.mjfirstaidtraining.co.uk
www.mjfirstaidsupplies.co.uk
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