Information Regarding First Aid

Posted on March 23, 2009
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As a parent, you will inevitably have to cope with minor accidents as your child grows up. Most of the time these will be minor cuts and bruises, but you should be equipped to cope with major accidents or emergencies, should they occur. All parents should know the basic first-aid techniques to deal with accidents quickly, effectively, and calmly. To give first aid effectively you need to understand and practice the techniques detailed on the following pages, and you should also keep a first-aid kit in your home. This should be accessible in an emergency but stored out of reach of your child.

EMERGENCY FIRST AID

A severe accident with the loss of much blood or other body fluids may precipitate shock, which is always serious. Other emergencies include choking , a very severe respiratory tract infection that blocks the airways, drowning, and unconsciousness. Prompt action on your part can save your child’s life.

HOME FIRST-AID KIT

You can buy a home first-aid kit from any pharmacy, but putting your own kit together is easy and inexpensive. Store the items in an airtight, waterproof container.

PRIORITIES

When your child has an accident you must get your priorities straight. Tell any adult present to call an ambulance while you go through the following checklist. Detailed instructions are shown for resuscitation and choking . If there isn’t anyone to help, you should go through the checklist before calling an ambulance.

Is your child in danger? If appropriate, remove the danger from your child, or your child from the danger. Do not put yourself at risk, and do not move your child if you suspect a fracture.

Is he conscious? Shake your child gently by his shoulders and keep calling his name.

Is his airway blocked? Open your child’s airway by lifting the chin and tilting the head back. Then clear any obstruction .

Is he breathing? Lean close to your child’s mouth to listen for breathing and feel his breath against your cheek. Look at his chest to see if it is rising and falling. If there are no signs of breathing after five seconds, give two breaths of rescue breathing .

Does he have a pulse? Check for a pulse in the arm or neck , or place your hand on your child’s chest and count the beats. A normal pulse rate is about 120 beats per minute for a baby and 100-120 beats per minute for a one-year-old. If no pulse is present, give alternate cycles of five chest compressions with one rescue breath for one minute; call an ambulance, taking your child with you to the telephone if you can; then continue resuscitation.

Calling an ambulance If your child is having breathing difficulties or is unconscious, then call an ambulance, or get another adult to do so. Try not to leave your child unattended and be prepared to carry out resuscitation on him. When calling an ambulance, state your name clearly and give your exact location: the road name and house number or name, including any junctions or landmarks, and your telephone number. Describe the condition of your child and give his age, and tell the dispatcher if you are certified in first aid. You should also give details of any hazards, such as a gas leak, or relevant local weather conditions-for example, fog or icy roads.

FIRST-AID TRAINING

To make use of these procedures you must learn them by heart. If you have to waste time referring to this book to refresh your memory, your delay could mean the difference between lift and death for your child.

This book cannot train you in first aid. To learn first aid properly you should complete a course and pass the final examination. The standard first-aid certificate is awarded by the American Red Cross . It is valid fir only three years, after which you should update your skills with further training.


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