Introduction:

Parenthood is a rewarding journey filled with joy, laughter, and, at times, unexpected challenges. One of the most crucial aspects of being a parent is ensuring the safety and well-being of your children. 

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them, making it essential for parents to be equipped with basic first aid skills. In this blog, we'll explore the fundamental first aid skills every parent should know to confidently handle common situations and keep their family safe.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation):

Every parent's worst nightmare is the thought of their child facing a life-threatening situation. While we hope never to encounter such emergencies, being prepared and equipped with essential skills like CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) can make a crucial difference in saving a child's life. In this section, we will walk you through the steps of performing CPR on a child, offering guidance and confidence in the face of an unexpected crisis.

• Assess the Situation:
• Before rushing in, assess the scene for potential dangers. Ensure the safety of both yourself and the child.
• If the child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, it's time to initiate CPR.
• Check for Responsiveness:
• Gently tap the child and shout loudly, "Are you okay?" to check for responsiveness.
• If there is no response, shout for help and ask someone to call emergency services (911 or your local emergency number).
• Open the Airway:
• Place the child on their back on a firm surface.
• Tilt their head backward slightly to open the airway. Lift the chin gently with two fingers on the forehead.
• Check for Breathing:
• Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Watch for chest rise and fall, listen for breath sounds, and feel for air on your cheek.
• If the child is not breathing or is only gasping, begin CPR.
• Start Chest Compressions:
• Position yourself on your knees beside the child.
• Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (just below the nipple line).
• Use your upper body weight to compress the ⅓ of the child’s chest depth at a rate of about 100-120 compressions per minute.
• Allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions.
• Give Rescue Breaths:
• After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths.
• Ensure a proper seal by covering the child's mouth and nose with your mouth.
• Deliver each breath over one second, watching for chest rise.
• Continue CPR:
• Continue the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until emergency help arrives or the child starts breathing on their own.
• If someone else is available, take turns performing CPR to avoid fatigue.
• Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if Available:
• If an AED is nearby, follow the device's instructions for attaching the pads and delivering a shock if advised.
• Stay Calm and Focused:
• It's natural to feel anxious, but staying calm is essential for effective CPR.
• Remember that your actions can make a significant impact on the child's chances of survival.

While the thought of performing CPR on a child is undoubtedly distressing, having the knowledge and confidence to act swiftly can be a lifesaver.

 Consider taking a certified CPR course to practice and enhance your skills. By mastering the CPR, you empower yourself to be a crucial first responder, ensuring the safety and well-being of the ones you hold most dear.

Choking:

Choking incidents can be frightening, but knowing how to respond swiftly can make a crucial difference. In this section,, we'll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to help a child who is choking, empowering you with the knowledge to act confidently in this critical situation.

• Stay Calm:
• In any emergency, it's essential to remain as calm as possible. Take a deep breath to compose yourself before taking action.
• Assess the Severity:
• Determine the severity of the choking by observing the child's ability to breathe, cough, or speak.
• If the child is coughing forcefully, encourage them to continue coughing to try and dislodge the object.
• Encourage Coughing:
• If the child is coughing but can still breathe, encourage them to keep coughing. Coughing is the body's natural way of clearing the airway.
• Back Blows:
• If the child cannot breathe, cough, or speak, perform back blows. Stand or kneel behind the child and deliver firm blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
• Perform up to five back blows, checking the mouth after each attempt.
• Abdominal Thrusts:
• If back blows don't work, move on to abdominal thrusts. Stand behind the child, place one foot in between their legs, and wrap your arms around their waist.
• Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side against the middle of the child's abdomen, above the navel.
• Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick, upward thrusts. Repeat until the object is expelled.
• Check the Mouth:
• After each attempt to clear the airway, check the child's mouth for any visible obstructions. If you see an object, attempt to remove it with your fingers, but avoid pushing it further down.
• Call for Help:
• If the child remains in distress, call emergency services (911 or your local emergency number) for professional assistance.
• Continue Cycles:
• Repeat the cycle of back blows and abdominal thrusts until the child can breathe, cough, or speak on their own or until professional help arrives.
• CPR if Necessary:
• If the child becomes unconscious, start CPR immediately. Begin with chest compressions and rescue breaths, following the appropriate ratio for child CPR.

Knowing how to respond to a choking incident is a vital skill for every parent. Stay prepared by taking a certified first aid course, which often includes training on for choking and other life-saving techniques. By staying calm, assessing the situation, and taking swift action, you can play a crucial role in ensuring your child's safety in a choking emergency.

Conclusion

Equipping yourself with essential first aid skills is a crucial aspect of responsible parenting. By being prepared for common life-threatening emergencies, you can provide immediate assistance to your child and potentially prevent more severe outcomes. 

Consider taking a certified first aid and CPR course to enhance your skills and confidence. Or if you want to learn the basics without being certified, take our new First Aid Basics course! $50 and 2 hours and you can gain the confidence and skills required to keep your family safe.  

Remember, being proactive in learning these skills can make a significant difference in the safety and well-being of your family.

Stay tuned next week for part 2 including wound and burn care, fractures and sprains and seizures!

For a downloadable PDF version of this guide please click here.