First aid : What to do? (Part III)

 Place 2 fingers over the lower half of the infant's breastbone -below an imaginary line between the nipples. Give 5 chest thrusts. Keep doing 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object pops out and the infant begins to breathe again.

If the infant becomes unresponsive, call for help and send someone to dial 999 or 112. If you suspect your child is choking, ask the child:Are you choking? Can you breath?If the child cannot breath, talk or coughs and or kneel behind the child, place the flat thumb side of your fist between the child's navel and breastbone - be sure to keep well off the breastbone. Wrap your other hand around your fist and press upwards towards the stomach.  Keep doing this until the object pops out and the child begins to breathe again.  If the child becomes unresponsive,gently lower the child to the floor, call for help and send someone to dial 999 or 112.  You must begin CPR. If during CPR you see the object remove it with your fingers but do not place your fingers in the child's mouth if you cannot see the object.  Let's look at how to perform CPR for children between 1 and 8 years of age. In this example the rescuer is alone with the child. Remember you must only perform CPR on a child who is in cardiac arrest. First check for responsiveness. 

If you get no response shout for help. If someone is nearby, send that person to phone 999 or 112 for an ambulance.  If you are alone you must stay with the child. Next open the airway by doing the head tilt chin lift -place one hand on the child's forehead and tilt the head back gently. Lift the chin by placing 2 fingers on the bony part of the child's chin. Do not put your fingers on the child's neck. Be careful that you do not tilt the head back too far. Next check to see if the child is breathing - while holding the airway open place your ear next to the child's mouth and nose. Look for normal rise and fall of the chest.

 Listen and feel for normal breathing.  Take no more than 10 seconds.  If the child is not breathing or is gasping,give 2 rescue breaths - keep the airway open and pinch the nose shut. Place your mouth completely over the child's mouth.  Give rescue breaths lasting about 1 second each. Look for chest rise with each breath. If the chest does not rise, reopen the airway and try again.

First aid : What to do? (Part II)

Once the area has been cooled, cover the burn with a sterile dressing or clean non-fluffy material. Secure the dressing in position by lightly applying a bandage. If you are at all concerned about the severity of the burn dial 999 or 112 and ask for the ambulance service or take your child to the nearest accident and emergency department. Remember do not break or burst any blisters.  Do not apply adhesive dressing to the area. 

Do not put ointment or fats on the area -they are of no value and only further increase the risk of infection and damage.  If you suspect that your child has accidentally swallowed a poison do the following: If your child is conscious and is old enough to understand and talk to you ask them what they have swallowed.  Dial 999 or 112and ask for the ambulance service.  When talking to the ambulance service give as much information as possible about the swallowed poison. This will provide important information which will assist staff in the accident and emergency department once the child reaches hospitals.  Look for evidence that might help you to identify the poison,such as an empty container. Give this to the ambulance crew when they arrive. While waiting for the ambulance constantly reassure the child. Never make the child vomit. If the child's lips are burned by corrosive substances,give the child frequent sips of cold water to cool her lips. - 555 286 - Thank you.  What address do you need the ambulance to?- 10 Foxrock Road, Howth - Can you confirm that for me please?- 10 Foxroad, Howth.  - Okay, what's the problem there?- My child has taken tablets - Are you with him at the moment?- Yes, I am - Alright what age is he?- Three-and-a-half - Okay, is he conscious? - He is. - Is he breathing? - He is - Is he breathing - He is- Okay and you said he had taken tablets.  Was it accidental or intentional?- Accidental - Okay, is he completely awake?- He is - Is he breathing normally?- He is - Okay and do you know what medication or tablets he took?- They look like they are paracetamol.  - Okay- Okay, so it is a medication.  When did he take it?- I am not sure, maybe five minutes ago - Okay, fine.  I am organizing help for you now,stay on the line and I can tell you what to do next.- Please do- Okay help is on the way, do not give him anything to eat or drink as it might make him sick or cause problem for the doctor - Okay- Just allow him to rest in the most comfortable position for himself and wait for the ambulance. Watch him very closely and it he becomes less awake or vomits,just turn him on his side. - Okay - Do you have any family pets in the house? - No- Is the child on any medication for anything? - No- Okay, you know the medication container he took the tablet from?- Yes - Just give that to the paramedic when he arrives. - Okay - And if the child's condition should worsen in any way,will you call me back again on 999? - I will- Can I take the child's name, please? - It is Cillian. - Now can you just have somebody look out for the ambulance, please?- I will - Okay, the ambulance is on its way to you - Thank you, bye bye. 

If a baby is choking you must act immediately to try to clear the obstruction. Do the following: First turn the infant's face down with the head lower than the body.  Make sure that you support the head,jaw and neck.  Using the heel of your other hand give 5 blows between the infant's shoulders. Turn the infant onto its back while still supporting the neck and head.

First Aid : What to do? (Part I)

If you encounter a road collision quickly check the injured child. Unless there is danger treat them in the position you find them in. Do not remove the child unless absolutely necessary. Always assume that there is a neck injury in anyone who has been involved in a road traffic crash and support the head until help arrives. 

Do not attempt too much -only attend to those things which can be life-threatening such as major bleeding.  Keep the injured child warm by applying any extra clothing or blankets that may be available. While waiting for the emergency services, provide constant reassurance to the child.  If your child gets a cut or graze, do the following:Ensure your hands are clean.  If the child's wound is dirty, clean it by rinsing it lightly under running water. Pat the wound dry using a gauze swab. If you do not have a sterile gauze, everyday items such as freshly laundered towels will do. Avoid directly touching the wound. Once the wound has been patted dry, apply a dressing. If there is a special risk of infection - such as human or animal bites,or a puncture by a dirty object - take your child to your doctor or accident and emergency department.  Contact your doctor if you notice that the wound is not healing,or you notice any redness, drainage of pus, warmth or swelling. If your child has severe bleeding take the following actions:Put on disposable gloves, if available. Apply direct pressure over the wound with your fingers or palm.  If the injured child is old enough they may help you by placing direct pressure over the wound with their hand. If possible, use a sterile dressing. If this is not available, use a non fluffy material such as a clean towel.  If the wound is on a limb and you do not suspect a broken bone raise the injured limb above the child's heart - this may help reduce blood loss. Secure the wound dressing with a bandage.

 If you do not have a bandage you can improvise using common everyday items such as a scarf or tee-shirt.  Remember to secure the bandage firmly enough to maintain pressure,but not so tight that it restricts or stops circulation. If blankets or coats are available, cover the child -remember children become cold quickly. If further bleeding occurs, apply a second dressing over the first and secure in place,dial 999 or 112 and ask for the ambulance service. Remember the child will be frightened so at all times provide constant reassurance.  While waiting for the ambulance crew to arrive, do not allow the child to eat or drink.  If your child suffers a minor burn or scald do the following:Reassure your child.  Cool the affected parts by flooding it with cold water for at least 10 minutes. This will stop the burning and help relieve pain. 

If you do not have water readily available you can use any cold harmless liquid such as milk. Burns can cause swelling to the affected area,so while cooling remove any items such as rings watches or any constricting material.  But do not remove anything which has become stuck to the skin.