Top Four Child Incidents – CPR First Aid

Children are all going to slip, crash, and fall at some point. They’ll cry. But in no time, you can see them running around again as if nothing happened. These minor incidents are all part of growing up, being a kid, and learning to stand up on their own. Although these are normal, there are also more serious injuries that we can’t allow kids to experience. Hence, the need for parents and guardians to take up first aid courses to be able to save kids in times of emergencies.

In a recent report from the UNICEF, drowning, poisoning, head trauma, and choking are the top four pediatric incidents. As a parent, how equipped are you in responding to these emergencies? Do you have the tools and supplies at hand or at home to save your kids? In this post, you can find useful insights on how best to rescue your loved ones.

1. Drowning

Even if they’re in wading pools, kids are still prone to drowning as they might not be strong enough yet to maintain or get back to an upright position. Always accompany kids at swimming pools. But to prepare for this emergency, learn how to administer CPR for kids as a first aid.

Performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for kids is a bit different. Instead of using forceful breaths as you would for adults, breathe gentle puffs of air into the child’s nose or mouth four times.

2. Poisoning

Poisoning is also common among kids. And the severity of the signs and symptoms depends on how the poison enters the body, as well as the amount and kind of poison taken. Kids could get poisoned due to insect stings, animal bites, foods, and drinks. And these kinds of poison get inside the body through the skin, eyes, and mouth.

Different response techniques should also be used to save kids from these situations.

• If the poison is swallowed, rinse the kids’ mouth. Keep the medicine or poison container handy. And visit the nearest healthcare facility.
• If the child got the poison on the skin, wash the affected area with room temperature water.
• If the eye is affected, avoid applying eye drops immediately. Rinse the eyes first with a slow stream of water. Allow the water to run through the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner.
• If the poison is inhaled, make sure the child is taken safely into an area with fresh air. If you’re inside a room, open the windows, and doors. Don’t try to rescue without a proper breathing equipment.
• Applying ointment and doing proper wound cleaning are needed for poison that got through animal bites and stings. It’s also necessary to avail of urgent medical attention.

Although there are poisoning cases that are mild, there are also life-threatening ones. Hence, it’s wise to take up first aid courses that focus on this emergency situation.

3. Choking

Sudden inability to talk, difficulty in breathing, frequent coughing, and skin blushing are some of the common indications of choking. The child might have swallowed a large portion of solid food or a foreign object, such as toys or coins.

For this health emergency, the American Red Cross advises parents and guardians to do the five and five approach. Give the child 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts. Alternate between 5 thrusts and 5 blows to remove the blockage.

Is the child still unconscious and the blockage is still there despite doing the five and five approach? You can perform CPR. The technique’s chest compression method might be able to dislodge the blockage.

4. Head Trauma

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are a common cause of head trauma among kids. Your kids might have experienced a mild injury with bruising and mild headache as symptoms. However, if you see them bleeding significantly, as well as having difficulty staying awake, seizures, and problems with vision, they might be experiencing a severe head injury.

Whether your kids experience mild or severe head trauma, it’s best to visit a doctor immediately. Be sure to give them immediate medical attention. And have them undergo the necessary laboratory tests.

Yes, it’s good to allow kids to play. But don’t let them play on their own to prevent the common pediatric incidents to happen. It’s highly recommended to play with them. It’s also wise to take up first aid courses to be able to protect them more effectively.

Source/s:

1. https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/child/en/
2. https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/emergencies/first-aid
3. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/firstaid-safe/
4. https://www.parents.com/health/injuries/first-aid/fast-first-aid-tips-for-6-common-accidents/
5. https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/cpr.html
6. https://blog.safetec.com/8-of-the-most-common-first-aid-injuries
7. https://www.asec.com.my/the-importance-of-first-aid/
8. https://www.safekids.org/safetytips
9. https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/
10. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pediatric/conditioninfo/causes
11. https://www.familyeducation.com/life/pool-safety/reviving-someone-who-has-drowned-or-swallowed-water
12.  https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Poisoning-first-aid
13. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-poisoning/basics/art-20056657
14. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-choking/basics/art-20056637
15. https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/choking/child-choking/
16. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-head-trauma/basics/art-20056626
17. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322225.php#symptoms