Basic first aid knowledge is not only for healthcare and emergency workers. It should be everyone’s concern so that you know how to respond to emergencies in the quickest way possible.
As parents who are responsible for the wellbeing of little children, do you think you can step up and take charge of critical situations when it’s a matter of life and death? Basic first aid skills and knowledge can save your child’s life — and this should be enough reason for you to be familiar with the following:
Emergency hotline numbers
Be aware of the contact numbers that can render assistance to you and your family during different kinds of emergencies, such as fire, crime, natural disasters, volcanic eruption, sickness, and more. These important emergency numbers, as well as your doctors’ and hospital contact details, should be displayed prominently at home, where everyone can see.
Source: Philippine Information Agency
First aid kit
Should an emergency ever happen, it’s best to be prepared. Having a first aid kit at home can help prevent minor injuries from turning into serious ones. Make sure every member of the family knows where it is placed so they can easily access it whenever needed.
Abrasions, cuts, and wounds
Clean the wound with running water and if necessary, mild soap. Apply antiseptic cream, then cover with a sterile gauze or adhesive bandage. If the blood soaks through, add another gauze instead of replacing the gauze.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes, it’s time to bring your child to the doctor as they may need stitches.
Scalds and burns
First-degree burns affect only the top layer of the skin; second-degree burns have damages on the first and second layer of the skin; and third-degree burns involve all skin layers and underlying tissues.
If the scald is small and superficial, you can cool it down under running water. Apply antiseptic cream and cover with non-adhesive dry dressing. Avoid traditional remedies such as putting toothpaste, ice, or ointments on the burn as they can irritate the affected skin and may lead to further infection.
If the burn is severe and significant and is on the face, scalp, genitals, and joint surfaces, it’s time to call for medical help. Wrap the affected area with a clean sheet and bring your child to the emergency room.
Allergic reactions
It goes without saying that you should be aware of what your child is allergic to. Watch out for signs of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction: hives and itching, difficulty breathing, dizziness or fainting, swollen eyes, tongue, or throat, and weak and rapid pulse.
If you carry an epinephrine autoinjector, administer it right away. Then bring your child to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Choking
Choking is common among infants and it can be fatal as it blocks your child’s airway. Perform the Heimlich maneuver if you see your child panicking, gasping, turning blue, and becoming unconscious.
The Heimlich maneuver, however, is not recommended for children below 1 year old. Watch this video by the British Red Cross on how to save a choking baby.
CPR
Being able to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR can spell a whole lot of difference to an emergency situation. If your child isn’t breathing, perform CPR. Do this until medical help arrives.
Accidents do happen no matter how much you try to protect your precious little one. But arming yourself with basic (even advanced) first aid knowledge can help prevent worse things from happening to your family.
