Pediatric first aid skills will help keep your young ones safe when faced with critical situations like being unable to breathe or faced with some injuries. When you’re equipped with this knowledge, you can handle urgent emergencies until full medical treatment is available.
This training provides you with the necessary information to respond to situations that need urgent attention and when there’s no medical personnel available.
This article will discuss the importance of pediatric first-aid training to keep your children safe. Has it piqued your curiosity? Let’s dive right in.
What is First Aid?
It is the first immediate attention or assistance given when a person is ill or injured until complete medical treatment or services are available. Some who are skilled with basic medical training can perform it.
You should know the 3 Ps of first aid and the 3 Cs of emergency. The 3 Ps are to Preserve life, Prevent deterioration, and Promote recovery. You should remember these three most important things when providing first aid.
The 3 C’s stand for check, call, and care. The 3 C’s are as important as the 3 P’s. They will help save a life in case of emergencies.
What is Pediatric First Aid?
Pediatric first aid involves the skills and knowledge to provide adequate first aid to children under 16. This training will help you handle children’s injuries and sudden illnesses. It offers extra confidence to handle the little ones.
Suppose you have a business involving children’s responsibilities. In that case, you must take charge of the pediatric first aid arrangements, providing peace of mind for you and the parents.
Reasons why you should do pediatric first aid training
The importance of pediatric first aid training can never be overstressed. In this section, we have discussed a few reasons why should do pediatric first-aid training.
- Children have unique physical and developmental characteristics that make them more susceptible to accidents and injuries. They may not have the same level of coordination, judgment, or awareness as adults, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Pediatric first aid training will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively respond to emergencies involving children.
- The difference between life and death can be minutes in critical situations, such as choking, cardiac arrest, and severe bleeding. Pediatric first aid training teaches you how to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies like the ones mentioned above.
Knowing how to administer CPR, control bleeding, and manage anaphylaxis can save a child’s life until professional medical help arrives.
- Knowing what to do in an emergency can help you remain calm and composed, enabling you to provide the necessary assistance to an injured or ill child.
- You will be in a position to provide proper first aid to help prevent further injury or complications. For example, knowing how to stabilize fractures, immobilize sprained joints, or control bleeding can minimize the risk of increasing the injury.
- If you work as a nanny, this course is a perfect fit because it will provide mental peace to you and the family you are working for.
- When working for an organization that deals with children, you should have a pediatric first aid training certificate. You will then be able to do justice to your job role and handle critical situations should they arise.
What should you have in your first aid box?
A pediatric first aid box should always be with you because we never know when emergencies will arise. You should always be ready for it, for which you need medical equipment and products in your first aid box.
Here are some things you should have in your first aid box.
- First, the box should contain a manual of general guidance on first aid
- Disposable gloves
- Face shield
- Adhesive tape, which should be hypoallergenic
- Hypoallergenic plasters
- Low-adherent dressing
- Sterile water
- Wound dressing bandage
- Scissors
- A foil survival or radiation blanket
- A triangular bandage
Keeping a first aid box that the health and safety executive approves would be best. Always place or keep a first aid box in a place that is easily accessible to all who need it. It should be stored in a safe, secure, and dry area. Always check for the expiry dates of the products contained in your first aid box.
Do’s and Don’ts for critical situations
It is an essential part you must always remember during a critical situation. It will significantly help you cure the person in a bad situation. The dos and don’ts are mentioned below.
Do’s
- Check the level of response of the child.
- If possible and required, put a blanket on them
- Every 30 minutes, turn the child for circulation purposes
- Keep them calm by distracting their attention if they are panic
Dont’s
- Please do not give them anything to drink or eat in critical situations
- Do not put a cushion or pillow under the child’s head
- Do not let the peoples crowd the place
Conclusion
No matter your profession, you should undergo a pediatric first aid course. This course will help you save the lives of infants and children in case of an emergency.
Remember to keep a pediatric first aid box handy with you else all the training you receive will come to naught.
Suppose you are running a business that involves working with children. In that case, you should always remember to hire an employee having a pediatric first aid training certificate. It will increase your peace of mind, and your employee will also be able to handle emergency situations, should they arise.
Interested to undergo the training? You can explore the pediatric first aid course here.