The Importance Of First Aid Knowledge

You gave life…. But do you know how to save it?  Parents often joke that they are allowed to leave the hospital with their precious bundle and no certificate of training. We are taught how to feed, bathe and change nappies, and books will guide us on the growing changes and stimulating ideas for their development. But increasingly parents are realising they do need to go to class to learn some of the most vital skills in rearing a child – how to prevent, treat and deal with medical emergencies.

ClapHandies run paediatric first aid courses for parents and childminders giving the essential know how to effectively deal with the most common childhood emergencies, and they have seen a huge increase in the number of parents seeking some basic training. Alice Walsh of ResponderTraining who gives the courses says parents often come because a friend or relative has had an incident with their own child and it has made them think about what they might do in a similar situation. ‘The big three fears that prompt parents to come to us the most are choking, head injuries and burns. As much as we give them vital knowledge, the training also gives them the confidence to feel they can cope if something happened to their child.’ Fifteen children have died of accidental strangulation since 2005 and the news is often full of heartbreaking stories. Walsh explains, ‘making sure you can respond quickly, effectively and calmly in a situation may make all the difference. I know a woman who came to the course and a couple of months later used the techniques she learnt to stop her child from choking.’ Modern Mum provides a few basic responses to common accidents, but advices parents who are concerned, seek out a first aid course near them.

Temperature Control

The body works best when its temperature is close to 37ºC (98.6ºF), and in young babies and children a drastic change in temperature can be dangerous. The area of the brain that regulates body temperature is not fully developed in the early years, so if your child develops an infection, their temperature can quickly rise. It is wise to be cautious once the temperature rises above 38ºC as there is a risk of febrile convulsions. If your baby has a high temperature, remove their clothes, provide cool fresh air, cold drinks and give a mild medication like paracetemol. If the child develops a convulsion, place them on their side and call an ambulance.

Choking

Choking is probably the emergency parents fear most. If you think your baby is choking, encourage them to cough as this might dislodge the item. In the absence of sound – crying or coughing – shout for help, while laying the baby over your arm, face down, legs either side of your elbow and head below their chest. Give up to five blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check between blows if the obstruction has cleared. If still not clear, turn the baby over, chest uppermost and lower the head below the chest. Using two fingers on the chest, give five chest thrusts. Keep repeating while someone calls an ambulance.

Burns and scalds

Immediately try and cool the burn with cold flowing water for ten minutes, and remove any constricting clothes or jewellery as the area may swell.  Dress the burn with a sterile dressing that won’t stick. (in the absence of a dressing, Cling film can be used – wrap loosely and secure with a bandage). If the burn is larger than one square inch, if it goes all the way around a limb, it appears to be full thickness or the burn involves hands, feet, face or genitals seek further medical advice.

Head injuries

Any head injury is potentially dangerous, and can lead to unconsciousness which in turn can put the airways at risk. Head injuries can lead to concussion – where the brain is shaken causing widespread disruption; compression – caused by bleeding or swelling within the skull; and fractured skull – this is serious as the broken bone may damage the brain.
In all cases, call immediately for an ambulance if your child is unconscious or you suspect a fractured skull. Make sure their airways are clear and breathing is normal. Lie them down, keeping head, neck and body in line. Even if a child seems to recover, watch out for subsequent reduction in levels of consciousness, and make sure they are not alone for the next 24 hours.
Any injury or illness in a baby or child should be taken seriously, and if you are concerned at all, see a doctor. First aid courses are available all over the country, and it may just make the difference one day.

www.claphandies.com
www.respondertraining.com
www.redcross.ie / www.redcross.firstaid.co.uk
www.advanatraining.ie

Sidebar – First aid box essentials

General, clear first aid leaflet
20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings of assorted size
2 sterile eye pads
4 triangular bandages
6 medium wound dressings
2 large wound dressings
Variety of low-adherent dressings
1 roll of hypo-allergenic tape
Disposable gloves
1 pair of scissors
10 ‘packs of 5’ sterile gauze swabs for cleaning wounds
1 finger bandage and applicator

Words by Alana Kirk-Gillham