First Aid Training: Children And Babies CPR And Choking

First aid training for babies and children is essential for parents, caregivers, and individuals interacting with young individuals, whether infants or toddlers. Accidents and emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, and very unexpectedly. Being equipped with the knowledge and skills received from first aid training can help save lives and prevent further harm. This article aims to provide information on first aid training when helping babies and children who require CPR and assistance when choking.

The Importance Of First Aid Training: Children And Babies

Children are naturally curious and tend to explore their surroundings, which can increase their risk of accidents. Falling and choking incidents are some common hazards that children encounter due to their developmental stage and lack of awareness about potential dangers. Due to this potential danger for younger children, having first aid training can be critical.

Children often cannot communicate their pain or discomfort and tend to overstate or understate their feelings. This makes it extremely important for their caregivers to pay close attention to them and observe their non-verbal expression cues.

Children tend to experience emotional distress or anxiety during emergencies or receiving first aid. Their reactions vary, and caregivers must be prepared to offer comfort and reassurance while managing the physical aspects of conducting medical treatment, which can be learned from first aid training.

Children have smaller bodies and anatomical structures compared to adults. This means the techniques learned in first aid training must be adjusted accordingly. Read further to learn how to adapt CPR to an infant or child, as well as how to help an infant or child who is choking:

First Aid Training: CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

Infant CPR: For infants under one year old, first aid training teaches that the approach for CPR differs from that used for older children and adults. The steps include:

1. Place the baby on a firm surface and open their airway. To do this, place one hand on their forehead and gently tilt their head back. With your other hand, use your fingertip and gently lift the chin.
   
   
2. Perform chest compressions using two fingers in the centre of the chest (on the breastbone), just below the nipple line. You must push down approximately 4cm for an infant (around 1/3rd of the chest's depth). It would be best if you were not afraid of breaking the child's ribs, as this is a life-or-death situation.
   
   
3. After 30 compressions, give five gentle breaths of mouth-to-mouth. Take a breath and put your mouth around the baby's mouth and nose to seal them, and then blow gently and steadily for up to one second. The chest should rise. Remove your mouth and watch the chest fall. That's one rescue breath or puff.
   
   
4. Giving chest compressions needs to be quick and at a rate of 100- 120 compressions per minute. The song "Stayin' Alive" beat can help you keep the correct pace.
   
   
5. Continue cycles of 30 chest compressions and two breaths until help arrives or signs of life return.
   
   
6. If the baby starts breathing normally, put them in a recovery position and continue to monitor their breath and level of response until help arrives.

Child CPR: For children over one year old, the CPR technique is modified slightly:

1. Place the child on a firm surface and open their airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin.
   
   
2. Use the heel of one or both hands to perform chest compressions on the breastbone in the centre of the chest.
   
   
3. Deliver breaths by covering the child's nose and mouth with your mouth and providing full breaths.
   
   
4. Continue cycles of 30 chest compressions and two breaths until help arrives or signs of life return.

First Aid Training: How To Help An Infant Or Child That Is Choking.

Infant (Under One Year Old):

1. Stay calm and assess the situation. Take immediate action if the infant cannot cry, cough, or breathe.
   
   
2. Position the infant face down on your forearm:
   
   
   • Place the infant's head lower than its chest, supporting its head and neck with your hand.
     
     
   • Rest your forearm on your thigh or lap, using your thigh as a support.
     
     
3. Give up to five back blows between the infant's shoulder blades using the heel of your hand:
   
   
   • Use a firm yet gentle force.
     
     
   • Check the infant's mouth after each back blow to see if the object is dislodged.
     
     
4. If back blows do not clear the obstruction, turn the infant face up while still supporting their head and neck.
   
   
5. Provide up to five chest thrusts using two fingers:
   
   
   • Place two fingers in the centre of the infant's chest, just below the nipple line.
     
     
   • Give quick downward compressions (similar to CPR) about 4cm deep.
     
     
6. Continue alternating between back blows and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unconscious.
   
   
7. If the infant becomes unconscious, shout for help and start CPR immediately, beginning with chest compressions.

Child (Over One Year Old):

1. Stay calm and assess the situation. Determine if the child can cough, speak, or breathe. If they can cough forcefully, encourage them to keep coughing to try and clear the obstruction.
   
   
2. If the child is unable to cough, speak, or breathe, you need to stand or kneel behind them and provide abdominal thrusts using the Heimlich manoeuvre:
   
   
   • Place one fist slightly above the child's navel, thumb side in.
     
     
   • Grasp your fist with your other hand and give quick inward and upward thrusts to the abdomen.
     
     
   • Continue abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or the child becomes unconscious.
     
     
3. If the child becomes unconscious, lower them to the ground and shout for help. Start CPR immediately, beginning with chest compressions.

Remember, it is essential to seek medical attention even if you successfully dislodge the object to ensure there are no residual issues or injuries.

First aid training for babies and children is an invaluable skill that can empower parents, caregivers, and individuals to respond effectively during emergencies. From performing CPR and addressing choking incidents to managing wounds, burns, and allergic reactions, being prepared and equipped with first aid training knowledge can make a significant difference in ensuring the safety and well-being of young ones.

By attending the first aid training course offered at EMCARE, individuals can contribute to a safer environment for the most vulnerable members of society. Continuous education, regular practice, and staying updated on the latest guidelines are essential to maintain proficiency in providing first-aid care. Ultimately, being prepared can offer peace of mind and the ability to act swiftly when it matters most.