By Belinda Hulstrom

Did you know that:

•    Approximately 2 million Australians have asthma
•    Around one in twenty Australians will have epileptic episodes at some stage
•    It is estimated that the incidence of diabetes has more than doubled in the last 15 years affecting approximately 8% of the population (and this estimate is often quoted as being conservative)
•    Approximately 3.5 million Australians (around 18%) have one or more long term cardiovascular disease conditions
•    An incidence of stroke occurs every 11 minutes in Australia
 

Bring together just a few examples of the available statistics regarding our health with the estimated number of clients treated by clinical hypnotherapists each year and the rationale for the prerequisite that all CCH practising members must hold a current First Aid Level 2 certificate is obvious: clinical hypnotherapists need to be aware that some of their clients may be suffering from a medical condition (known or unknown to the client) and CCH practitioners have a professional responsibility to be equipped to offer First Aid assistance should it be required.

CCH members will be aware of Occupational Health and Safety regulations in their state and in Victoria, for example, the government passed the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 to replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985. The Act covers any place where employees or self-employed persons work.

The Code of Practice  - First Aid in the Workplace includes guidelines relating to the appropriateness of First Aid provision in all workplaces and although a code of practice is not law, it can be used in legal proceedings to show that a person has failed to meet a standard set out in an act or regulation.

The combined CCH requirements of a state police check, strict adherence to a comprehensive code of ethics and maintenance of current First Aid Level 2 certification provide an appropriate level of confidence for all interested parties in the safe and ethical practice of professional hypnotherapy.

 
What to do in a DIABETIC EMERGENCY

If casualty unconscious
•    follow DRABCD
•    Call 000

If casualty conscious and signs suggest LOW blood sugar
•    give sweet food or drink (not diet, diabetic or sugar-free drinks) every 15 minutes until casualty recovers or medical aid arrives
•    call 000

If casualty conscious and signs suggest HIGH blood sugar
•    allow casualty to self-administer insulin (assist if required but do not administer for them)
•    give casualty sugar-free fluids if help delayed

NB If you are not sure which form of diabetic emergency the casualty has, give a sweet drink. If the casualty has a high blood sugar emergency, a sweet drink will not do undue harm.

from the CCH Newsletter, 'Perspectives'   Vol 1 Issue 3 (July 2007)