In daily life, so much hangs in the balance and yet research consistently shows that most people are paralysed in a medical emergency simply because they don’t know what to do and lack the confidence to even try to offer help.
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In daily life, so much hangs in the balance and yet research consistently shows that most people are paralysed in a medical emergency simply because they don’t know what to do and lack the confidence to even try to offer help. The good news is that it’s not difficult to gain skills in first aid and all of them will help to increase your confidence in your own abilities. So, what first aid skills should every parent have? This guide will provide the basic rundown on things you need to know, and give you some vital tools to help you keep the ones you love as safe as possible.
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Essential First Aid Skills for Common Childhood Injuries
Recognising When to Seek Professional Help
Although many incidents can be treated at home and most bumps and bruises are minor and easily remedied, it’s important that you are able to recognise the signs of serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention. If your child: has trouble breathing or swallowing, is unconscious, has severe burns, or is bleeding profusely, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or your local emergency services.
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Treating Minor Cuts and Scrapes
Clean the wound in warm, mildly soapy water. Apply an antiseptic and cover with a sterile bandage. Watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or fever in the following days.
Handling Burns and Scalds with Care
If it is a minor burn or scald, cool the burned area under running water for at least 20 minutes, but don’t use ice. Cover with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage. For any burn larger than your child’s hand, seek professional medical help at once.
What to Do When Your Child is Choking
Seeing your child choke is one of the scariest things a parent can experience. For an infant more than a year old (or adult), stand behind the person and give five back blows in between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If that still doesn’t open the airway, give up to five chest thrusts. Place the heel of your hand on the lower part of the breastbone and support the back of the person with each thrust.
For an infant less than a year old, put the baby face down (over your forearm) and allow gravity to work its magic, freeing the airway as you lower the baby’s head below their torso. If further help is needed, give five back blows and five chest thrusts with two fingers. If the airway still hasn’t been cleared, call for emergency medical help. In terms of choking, prevention is the best medicine, and while we are all busy, set aside a few minutes to make sure your child’s ‘play area’ is free from small objects that can harm them.
The Correct Approach to Sprains
For treatment of sprains, the correct way is RICE which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Following is a breakdown of the RICE method:
Rest: Let the injured part rest so that it’s not further damaged and the body can start its healing process. Physical exercise must be minimised so that the affected area will still be allowed to heal.
Ice: To reduce swelling and pain, an ice bag should be applied to the injured area for approximately 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours during the first 48 hours after the injury.
Compression: use compression bandages or wraps to help reduce swelling and provide support to the injured part of the body. The compression should be firm but not so tight as to cut off circulation.
Elevation: Get the injured limb above your heart as often as possible. This will reduce swelling and allow fluid to drain away from the injury. This should also reduce pain and help quicker healing.
Once again, please remember that if management at home does not improve their condition, patients should then go for professional medical evaluation.
First Aid For Fractures
If you suspect your child has a fracture the following steps will be helpful:
Immobilise the Injured Area:
Stop movement to halt additional injury. Restrain the injury with a splint to immobilise the fracture.
If possible, encourage the child to brace their injury with their hand, or use cushioning objects to limit movement.
Control External Bleeding:
If there’s any extra bleeding then you’ll need to put pressure on and dress the injury.
Apply Cold Therapy:
Use an ice pack or a bag of ice cubes in a towel and hold it on the area where the injury has occurred for no longer than 10 minutes at a time to help reduce the inflammation and pain.
Elevate the Injured Limb:
Raise the injured limb above the level of the heart to fight the formation of oedema, or swelling, and help drain fluids away from the injury.
Call for Medical Assistance:
While using these fracture first aid steps can make the child as comfortable as possible, and minimise pain and swelling, it is always essential that fractures be assessed and treated by a healthcare professional. Please always ensure that your child receives prompt medical attention.
Managing Medical Emergencies: Skills That Save Lives
CPR for Children and Infants: A Lifesaving Procedure
Learning CPR is a must for every parent. The procedure can vary depending on the age of the child, so regularly refreshing your CPR skills through accredited first aid training, such as First Aid Pro’s, First Aid Course Canberra, ensures you’re always prepared.
CPR and Rescue Breathing for Children (Ages 1 to 12 years)
Upon Arrival at the Scene: Use the DRS ABCD action plan and make sure the scene is safe.
Check the child’s consciousness: Try Gently tapping the child’s shoulder and calling out his/her name. If There Is No Response: Call triple zero (000) immediately. If the child is lying face down, roll them over onto their back, and make sure they are lying on a solid, flat surface.
Checking for Breathing and Life Signs: Take a look at the child’s chest to see if there are any spontaneous movements. Check if there is any sign of breathing, or life for a maximum of 10 seconds.
If There Is No Breathing or Life Signs – Initiate CPR:
Put one hand in the centre of the chest and place your other hand on top of it.
Let your elbows stay locked and arms straight, lean over the child’s chest and push down on the chest two inches in depth, 30 times at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
After each cycle of 30 compressions, give the rescue breaths. To do this, tilt the child’s head back, lift their chin and pinch their nose shut. Place your mouth over theirs and give two slow, steady breaths that should allow the chest to rise. Maintain the cycle of 30 compressions followed by two breaths, and repeat.
Keep up the CPR until another rescuer arrives to relieve you, the patient shows signs of life, or until emergency assistance arrives.
Dealing with Severe Allergic Reactions
Learning to recognise the signs of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips and tongue and rash, is vital if your little one has a known severe allergy. Always carry an EpiPen with you, and make sure you know how to use it. Deliver the EpiPen to the child the minute symptoms begin, and then seek professional medical attention.
Follow Proper Injection Technique:
Inject epinephrine into the outer mid-thigh muscle and hold it in place for a few seconds before removing. In this way you will ensure the proper dosage of the medication.
Recognising and Responding to Signs of Concussion
Following a head injury, watch your child for headache, confusion, dizziness and vomiting. If any of these symptoms are present or if the child has lost consciousness however briefly, see a doctor immediately.
Integrating First Aid Skills into Your Busy Lifestyle
Leading registered training organisations like First Aid Pro provide nationally recognised training for busy parents and those who work with children. Their courses cover a wide variety of emergencies in detail so you can be equipped to respond with confidence in all kinds of first aid situations.
Maximise your time by integrating first aid learning into your daily routine. Short, online refresher courses can provide quick and accessible information and training, helping you stay prepared without overwhelming your schedule. Check out the quality options for online first aid and and online CPR courses at First Aid Pro today and get prepared for any event.
Conclusion
Possessing some simple first-aid skills and having a basic first-aid kit is one of the best ways a busy parent can protect their family. With accredited first aid training, you open up a new world of preparedness and confidence in dealing with the situations that might otherwise harm the ones you love and care for. Yes, some emergencies can be scary, but with the proper first aid knowledge you’ll instinctively know what to do, and you’ll impart calm and reassurance to those around you.