A pulse oximeter is a device used to check your resting heart rate by showing your PR (pulse rate) and BPM (beats per minute), according to Healthdirect. The same public information service states that a resting heart rate may give an important sign of the heart’s health. If the rate goes below or above the normal range, it may signify health problems requiring immediate first aid. Learn below what health conditions an oximeter may detect and what first aid practices to apply.
A Pulse Oximeter
The following websites explain the description and usage of a pulse oximeter:
- NPS MedicineWise – a not-for-profit organisation, established in 1998, connected with health consumers and health professionals nationwide.
- Healthdirect – Australia’s national virtual public health information service supported by the government and other agencies.
- The Guardian – the Australian website of the British global online and print newspaper, The Guardian, launched in 2013.
These websites consider oximeter as a tool to possibly detect health problems.
Detection of Possible Health ProblemsÂ
The above resources mention the following health problems an oximeter may detect:
- Hypoxaemia.
- COVID-19.
Both of these may require immediate first aid and further medical treatment.
Hypoxaemia
The below resources further explain what Hypoxaemia is:
- Ausmed – Australia’s leading provider of CPD education for health professionals.
- myDr – an independent Australian website providing consumers with free health and medicines information.
The link from myDr states that hypoxaemia may result in hypoxia, a dangerous condition that may be life-threatening.
Hypoxia
WebMD explains in one of their articles how dangerous hypoxia is and how to prevent it by managing asthma. The WebMD Medical Team works closely with over 100 nationwide doctors and health experts across various specialties.
Managing Asthma
The below websites provide information on how you may manage asthma:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – an independent statutory Australian Government agency producing authoritative and accessible information and statistics.
- National Asthma Council Australia – the national authority for asthma knowledge, setting the standard for asthma care.
The second resource also outlines asthma first aid on its website, which mentions certain first aid steps.
First Aid Course for Asthma
Training.gov.au, the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia, has approved a Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) that describes the skills and knowledge needed in performing the first aid steps in responding to an asthma attack.Â
The 
22556VIC – Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace provides its successful enrollees to:
- Develop an asthma management strategy.
- Provide asthma-related first aid interventions in the workplace.
This first aid course may be delivered only by Registered Training Organisations like CPR First Aid (RTO NO 21903), which have the approved scope of doing so.
About CPR First Aid (RTO NO 21903)
This is a Registered Training Organisation under the national regulator for vocational education and training, The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). This first aid training provider has been delivering Nationally Recognised Training like the 22556VIC – Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace since 2007. Today, it helps its 20,000 enrollees per year successfully acquire a first-aid certificate proving them to possess the skills and knowledge to provide first-aid responses to asthma attacks and other emergencies.
Asthma Course Duration
The 22556VIC – Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace is combined with the 22578VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis, and the total duration of the practical class for both is 3 hours aside from:
- 15mins pre-course registration.
- 2-3 hours of multiple choice online modules.
There is also a theory that must be completed 24hrs before attending your class.
Asthma Course Cost
$80 is the starting cost of Combined Asthma and Anaphylaxis if discounts are not availed.
Asthma Course Location
Practical classes for the first aid courses, like the combined Asthma and Anaphylaxis, are held in CPR First Aid’s Perth training location found at 123C Colin St. West Perth 6005 or in an organisation’s workplace through a private booking.
Covid-19
The below websites provide the latest information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic:
- World Health Organization – is a United Nations agency founded in 1948 that connects nations, partners, and people to promote health.
- Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care – the department that develops and delivers policies and programs related to health, aged care, and sport.
- Healthdirect – an Australian government-supported public information service providing health information, advice and referral.
A Healthdirect article states that a pulse oximeter may monitor Covid-19 symptoms at home as it checks heart rate.
Heart Rate Readings of an Oximeter
A separate article discusses the use of a pulse oximeter in Covid-19 where it discusses how this device is helpful for those isolated at home. In addition, Healthdirect states that the heart readings of an oximeter may indicate if it is time for you to go to a general practitioner (GP) for a check-up as soon as possible.
Caring for a Covid-19 Patient at Home
The World Health Organization has also released information on Covid-19 safe care at home on its website.
Conclusion
A pulse oximeter is a device used to check your resting heart rate by showing your PR (pulse rate) and BPM (beats per minute), according to Healthdirect. An oximeter is used to detect health problems such as Hypoxaemia and Covid-19 to know if first aid or a visit to a general practitioner (GP) is necessary. Hypoxaemia may result in hypoxia but may be prevented by managing asthma using information from reliable resources and enrolling in an asthma first aid course. Meanwhile, the latest information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and safe care at home is available on multiple websites like the World Health Organization.
