GLOSSARY

EpiPen® Auto-Injector

An EpiPen is a disposable, pre-filled automatic injection device that administers epinephrine. It’s used to treat severe allergic reactions. It comes in both adult and child doses.

Expressed Consent

Consent given by a patient as permission to give First Aid, either verbal or through a gesture. (See also Implied Consent.)

FAST (for Allergies)

An acronym to help recognize the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. FAST stands for Face, Airway, Stomach, Total Body.

FAST (for Strokes)

An acronym to help recognize major signs and symptoms of a TIA or stroke. FAST stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Tongue and Time.

First Aid

The immediate emergency treatment given to an injured or ill person, before Emergency Medical Services arrives.

First Aider

Anyone who volunteers to take charge in an emergency situation. This person is responsible for giving emergency First Aid to a patient and for managing the scene of the emergency until medical help/EMS arrives.

Glucagon

A hormone involved in controlling blood sugar (glucose) levels.

Good Samaritan

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, someone who demonstrates compassion and who unselfishly helps others.

Good Samaritan Act

Protects individual bystanders and medical professionals from any liability or legal responsibility when they’re acting in good faith and helping patients in emergency situations.

Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act

A Canadian government Act that provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during a drug overdose situation.

Head-tilt-chin-lift

Positioning the patient’s head in order to make sure the airway is open.

Health Care Provider (HCP)

A person or company that provides a healthcare service.

Heimlich Manoeuvre/Abdominal Thrusts

A simple technique used to help expel a trapped object from another person’s airway. It is now more commonly referred to as abdominal thrusts.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

The second most common type of stroke, caused when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing a brain bleed. (See Ischemic Stroke.)

Hyperglycemia

An excess of glucose in the bloodstream, often associated with diabetes mellitus.

Hypoglycemia

Insufficient glucose in the bloodstream.

Hypothermia

A condition characterized by an unusually low body temperature.

Idiopathic

When the cause of a disease is unknown.

Implied Consent

Consent that’s not expressly given. It applies to any patient who’s unconscious or unresponsive and who’s in a potentially life-threatening emergency or situation. With this type of consent, we assume that the patient would want to be given life-saving First Aid procedures. (See also Expressed Consent.)

Insulin

A hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans and that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood