Besides being able to kiss a boo-boo away, and put a band-aid on an ouchie – as a parent, what first aid skills do you have?
If there was an emergency, would you be able to do something – or would you have to wait for help? Not all preparedness is about collecting stuff. It’s also about learning skills to take care of our families and community during crisis.
In most cities across the country you can find classes from the Red Cross or at a community college. Keep an eye on Facebook groups or community centers to see if and when they come available.
Downloading an app like the Red Cross First Aid app is a good idea too! Now, on to the must have first aid skills!
CPR for Children and Infants
CPR training has changed in the last few years. The 3 hard puffs + 5 presses are no longer the recommended CPR tactics. Because the needs of an infant who is in respiratory distress are much different than that of an older child or an adult, be sure that you get trained in how to handle the infant as well.
Take a class from the Red Cross or find local community seminars that may be available.
Abdominal Compressions (formerly Heimlich Maneuver)
Choking in small children is an everyday occurrence, but do you know when intervention is mandatory?
Do you know the signs of choking as well as how to perform this lifesaving skill? And do you do it differently for an infant vs. an older child? Since taking a CPR/First Aid class, I learned that it is no longer called the Heimlich Maneuver, but now is known as Abdominal Compressions.
Learn how to perform techniques that help with choking.
How to Clean and Dress a Wound
Back in our early days, my husband cut his shin while mowing the lawn. We didn’t know that’s what it was at first, but it seemed like just a cut gone a little wrong. It was a jagged wound and little did we know that a treatment of hydrogen peroxide that we’d always used on cuts was actually bad for a cut like this one.
We’ve since learned better, and have brushed up on the care and keeping of all sorts of wounds to be sure we’re giving ourselves the best leg up to fight infection and promote good healing. And make sure you have a good first aid kit with you wherever you are, just in case.
How to Treat Diarrhea
Dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting are some of the quickest ways a child (or adult) can end up in the hospital. Understanding when to give fluids, when to stop, and how to feed during times of severe intestinal issues can literally save your family from suffering.
Being familiar with the BRAT diet, re-hydration with the correct kinds of fluids, and watching for signs of dehydration and taking the next step are easy things for you to master.
How to Treat & Wrap a Sprain
For a potential sprain do you know whether to use hot or cold packs? How hard or tight should you wrap the injured area? How high or low should you go with the wrapping? Knowing how to properly wrap (when to wrap and what to use), and how to treat can save your child pain and further injury until you can get medical help.
Remember to use the R.I.C.E. Method correctly to treat sprains and strains (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).
How to Splint a Broken Bone
Just like with sprains, knowing how to splint and treat a broken bone until you can get further help can save further damage. If you are unsure if the bone is broken, it will be good to try and stabilize it just in case. One thing to remember, if you don’t see evidence of lack of blood flow, it’s better not to try to reset a bone yourself, just stabilize until you’re able to get further medical help.
How to Treat a Burn
Burns need special kinds of care. Can you tell the difference between a first and third degree sunburn? Was that touch on a hot stove enough to necessitate a visit to the hospital? Do you carry anything that can help treat a burn on the go?
Learn more about the classification and treatment of burns here.
How to Stop Severe Bleeding
Severe bleeding doesn’t have to be restricted to severe injuries or trauma. In some people, even a simple nose bleed can become severe, especially if they are on blood-thinning agents or have hemophilia. Simple head lacerations can produce an extraordinary amount of blood for a simple cut.
How to Treat Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. This can damage multiple organs. Shock requires immediate medical treatment and can get worse very rapidly. Treating for shock can help save a life of someone who might not otherwise die from the basic injuries.
How to recognize, get help for and provide first aid for shock.
When to Intervene (Triage)
Knowing when to take care of something yourself, when to seek the assistance of a doctor, or when to call for 911 is hard for parents. It can be hard to separate the emotion from the situation and know how to proceed from it seeming a simple cold that just doesn’t go away to the need for intervention because it really is pneumonia.
You might also find yourself in a situation where you have more than one to care for (i.e., car wreck) and need to know how to triage the situation to give help to who needs it most, and who to just maintain until help arrives because intervention might be worse.
Remember, you do not need to a full-fledged responder to do the things on this list. A half-day Red Cross course will give you all the information and training you need to manage small emergencies.
If you are interested in taking a first aid class, you should check out The Patriot Nurse’s Medical Prep course. She travels the country teaching preparedness-minded folks about first aid and medical care.
10 Basic Safety Tips for Women
You need to stay safe so your family always has you around! In today’s world, it has never been more important to get some training and tips on staying safe no matter where you go. Check out the top 10 safety tips women should know and practice to protect themselves.