EMERGENCY FIRST AID REQUIRED
There are about 2 million child attendances at Accident and Emergency Departments each year and the care that these children receive before the Emergency services arrive may prevent worsening of their condition or even save their life.
Having training to follow a clear plan of action in an emergency may increase an injured child's chance of survival.
This article outlines the first aid that anyone can give in some common emergency situations. In any emergency the following principles apply:
Assess the situation, stay calm, and look for dangers to yourself and the sick or injured child.
Make the area safe.
Get help from others around you and ensure the emergency services have been called.
Give the appropriate emergency care.
Choking
Children and babies are very prone to choking as they have a tendency to put small objects into their mouths. You need to act quickly to ensure their oxygen supply is not cut off for too long or they will become unconscious.
Encourage someone who is choking to cough. If there is something visible in their mouth and easy to reach, remove it, but be very careful not to push it further down the throat.
For a child under 1 year lay them head down, supporting their head and neck, and deliver up to 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If still choking turn the child over and deliver up to 5 chest thrusts, using 2 fingers pushing inwards and upwards against the breast bone towards the head. Repeat this whole cycle of 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts, if still choking up to three times and then make sure that an ambulance has been called. If you are alone take the child with you to the telephone. Continue the back blows and chest thrusts until the ambulance arrives or if the child becomes unconscious. If this happens you will need to commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
For a child over 1 and up to puberty, bend them forwards standing or resting over your lap and deliver 5 back blows. If this is unsuccessful at dislodging the object from the windpipe you will need to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre (abdominal thrusts). Stand behind them with both arms around their upper abdomen. Make a fist and place it between the navel and the breast bone then with the other hand over it pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times. Repeat this cycle 2 more times before going to call for an ambulance. Then continue as before.
Severe bleeding
This can be dramatic and distressing and a child may quickly go into shock. It is vital that you act quickly and calmly and reassure the child.
Check if there is a foreign object in the wound. Do not try to remove it as it may make the bleeding worse. Lie or sit the child down and expose the wound. Raise the affected part if possible as this will slow the bleeding. Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth taking care not to push against any foreign object. Bandage the wound but not so tightly as to stop the circulation to fingers or toes. If there is something sticking out of the wound, use padding around it. If the bleeding is severe telephone for an ambulance. If there is more bleeding through the bandages add more padding rather than undoing everything but if bleeding is still persistent then you may have to inspect the wound and make sure that pressure is applied directly to the area that is bleeding.
Do not give the child any thing to eat or drink until seen in hospital. Keep them warm and be prepared to perform CPR if they become unconscious.
Nose bleeds
Again it is important to stay calm as bleeding can sometimes be dramatic and frightening. Tell the child to breathe through their mouth and lean forward. Do not tilt the head back as this will encourage swallowing of the blood and could cause vomiting. Pinch the bridge of the nose for 10 minutes. If after this time the bleeding has not stopped repeat this pinching for another 2 cycles of 10 minutes.
If the bleeding has stopped advise the child not to cough or sniff as this may restart the bleeding. If the nosebleed has not stopped after 30 minutes, continue pinching the nose and take the child to hospital.
Burns
Acting quickly and correctly may reduce the severity of the burn.
Cool the affected area under cool running water for at least 10 minutes. Remove clothing from around the burned area but if anything has stuck to the burn leave it there. Do not apply any creams, lotions or fats to the burn. Make a dressing to cover the burn and prevent infection using a sterile pad where possible or use a clean lint free cloth.
A child with a burn should be taken to hospital if the burn involves the face, hands, feet or genital area, the burn is larger than the child's palm or if you are unsure or worried about the severity of the burn.
Many parents have very little or no knowledge of first aid but simple and straightforward actions may save lives. There are many courses available to learn first aid so make sure that you know what to do, as someone else may need your help.
Written for Spring 2009 issue by Helen and Katrina, Health Educators of West Kent
Contact Helen on 07542 926735 or Katrina on 07542 926734
