Madley's First Aid Podcast

Episode 19 of First Aid Unboxed explores the latest Resuscitation Council UK guidelines for 2025, explaining what has changed and what it means for first aiders and the general public. Louise Madeley breaks down key updates including early recognition, CPR, defibrillator use, and why the actions of bystanders in the first critical minutes can save lives.

This episode explains hypothermia as a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35°C, often affecting older people, young children, those with health issues and people who are homeless. Mark and Louise cover key warning signs (shivering that stops, blue/cold skin, confusion, slurred speech) and stress calling 999, moving the person somewhere warm and dry, and warming them slowly with layers and warm drinks rather than hot baths or alcohol.

This episode of First Aid Unboxed explains why winter flu and COVID vaccinations are so important, especially for older adults, people with long-term conditions, pregnant people, carers and healthcare workers, and clarifies that the adult flu jab uses inactivated virus and cannot give you flu. Louise also covers what to do if you become unwell, simple prevention tips like staying warm and practising good hygiene, and the importance of protecting vulnerable people around you.

This episode of First Aid Unboxed explores how to recognise, treat and prevent different types of burns, including thermal, chemical, electrical and sunburn. Louise explains burn depth (superficial, partial thickness and full thickness), when to cool, call and cover, how to use cling film safely, and when a burn needs urgent hospital treatment using tools like the Rule of Nines. The conversation finishes with practical home and sun-safety tips to reduce burn risks for babies, children and adults.

This episode of First Aid Unboxed looks at fractures and broken bones, explaining how and why they happen, the difference between open and closed fractures, and how to tell a fracture from a sprain. Louise walks through key warning signs such as pain, swelling, deformity and crepitus, and gives clear first aid steps: prioritise danger and ABC, immobilise the injured area, control any bleeding, treat for shock, and know when to call 999 or seek further medical help. The episode also touches on what happens in hospital, including X-rays, casting, traction and pain relief.

This episode of the First Aid Unboxed podcast explores allergies and anaphylaxis: what an allergy is, common triggers like pets, shellfish and nuts, and how to recognise mild allergic reactions versus life-threatening anaphylaxis. Louise explains the key signs of anaphylactic shock, when and how to use an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen/Jext), and practical prevention tips such as avoiding known allergens, carrying two injectors, checking expiry dates and seeking urgent medical help by calling 999.

In this podcast, Louise Madeley brings her knowledge, expertise and experience to this week’s subject: mental health issues, with a particular focus on farm workers and rural mental health in general. She explores the unique pressures of agricultural and rural life – from isolation and financial stress to long working hours and seasonal uncertainty – and how these can impact emotional wellbeing. Louise also talks about spotting early warning signs, breaking down stigma, and where people in rural communities can go for support and practical help.

This episode of First Aid Unboxed focuses on sun safety, explaining the hidden dangers of the sun in the UK, including sunburn, dehydration, heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke. Louise and Mark discuss how to prevent problems with high-SPF sunscreen, shade, clothing and good hydration, plus how to recognise early signs of heat exhaustion, when it becomes heat stroke, and what first aid steps to take while waiting for emergency help.

In episode 11 of First Aid Unboxed, Louise Madeley and Mark Wakeley provide an in-depth discussion on diabetes, covering the differences between type 1 and type 2, key symptoms and statistics, associated complications, effective treatments, common myths, the importance of diabetes hypo kits in the workplace, and the significance of proper training and risk assessments to ensure safety and support for individuals with diabetes.

In episode 10 of First Aid Unboxed, Louise Madeley explores the legal requirements and standards for workplace first aid, emphasising the necessity of risk assessments, appropriate first aid kit selection for different environments, and the importance of specialized training, while also previewing their upcoming discussion on diabetes hypo kits.

In episode nine of First Aid Unboxed, Louise Madeley and Mark Wakeley delve into the essentials of first aid provision in both office and agricultural settings, highlighting the necessary contents of first aid kits, compliance with Health and Safety Executive regulations, and appropriate first aider-to-staff ratios. They emphasize the importance of regular maintenance of first aid supplies, specialized training for high-risk industries like farming, and outline plans for future episodes focused on first aid in various work and leisure environments.

In Episode 8 of "First Aid Unboxed," host Louise Madeley and guest Mark Wakeley discuss epilepsy and seizures, explaining the different types of seizures, recognizing warning signs like auras, and providing essential first aid steps to ensure the safety of individuals experiencing seizures. They also highlight upcoming first aid training initiatives, including the "Restart a Heart" campaign, and preview future podcast episodes focusing on first aid in various work and leisure environments.

In episode 7 of First Aid Unboxed, hosts Louise Madeley and Mark delve into essential aspects of child health, highlighting choking as the leading cause of child fatalities and providing detailed first aid techniques such as back blows and abdominal thrusts. They also discuss the critical importance of early recognition of serious illnesses like sepsis and meningitis to ensure timely medical intervention.

This episode Louise discusses the essentials of CPR, including hands-only and full techniques for adults and children, as well as the proper use of defibrillators. She emphasises the importance of bystander intervention and provides information on her first aid training courses.

Louise talks about the differences between heart attacks and cardiac arrests, detailing their distinct symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of timely recognition. She also covers essential first aid responses, including CPR techniques and the use of defibrillators, to improve survival rates in emergencies.

Louise discusses the critical importance of recognizing and treating shock in first aid, emphasising the role of quick action, proper positioning, and emergency medical help while introducing Madeley's First Aid Plus' tailored training, sustainable first aid kits, and enhanced online resources.

Louise dicusses essential first aid practices for dealing with cuts and bleeding, emphasising the importance of staying calm, using gloves, and applying pressure to wounds. She also highlights the necessity of checking first aid kits regularly, replacing expired items, and seeking professional help when necessary.

Louise uses “plumbing” (heart and blood flow), “electrics” (brain and nerves), and “mechanics” (joints and muscles) to explain first aid basics. She clarifies heart attack vs. cardiac arrest, stressing the need for quick CPR and a defib.

In the first episode, Louise shares her NHS journey and why she launched Madeley’s First Aid. She introduces “plumbing, electrics, and mechanics” to simplify first aid, emphasizing CPR, defib use, and accessible training for all.