Why first aid is important

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Published on Saturday, 30 June 2012 09:00

Last Updated on 30 June 2012

Monica Costa

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What if? What could I do? How would I cope? These are the questions that a First Aid
Course can give you the answers to.

By attending a first aid course for as little as two hours you could gain the knowledge and
practice the skills required to make a real difference in the event of an accident. And
according to the statistics, being prepared is vital:

Childhood accidents cost the NHS over £275 Million pounds a year and accidental injury is
one of the biggest killers of children in the UK with, in an average year, one million children
under the age of 14 visiting A&E as a result of an injury in the home; 35,000 under 4’s fall
down the stairs and 3,000 injuries are caused by tripping over piles of laundry or toys around
the house*.

It’s difficult not to feel emotional when thinking about treating our children when they suffer
potentially life threatening injuries or conditions, but many of the parents that we talk to and
teach believe that it is better to be forewarned and forearmed. To be confident and
knowledgeable when these incidents occur can literally save a life.

A bit like Chinese whispers, the line between myth and reality blurs in the case of First Aid
with people hearing somewhere that you must not do something just in case you make a
situation worse. A prime example is ‘Do NOT ever move a child who has fallen from a
height’.

That statement on the face of things, people would read and say yes, that’s correct! But look
a bit deeper and it isn’t as simple as that. If that child is unconscious lying on their back then
the tongue could block their airways causing them to stop breathing. So you would have to
move them into the recovery position (as long as they are breathing) keeping their head and
spine aligned as much as possible.

Another very staggering statistic is that 50,000 children a year under the age of 14 go to
A&E because of a burns or scalds**.

Every parent should know the most basic of treatment as to preventing a child suffering
severe scaring from a burn. A minimum of 10 minutes of cold running water can make that
difference.

Many people we have taught removed their child from the water for fear of skin
removal or because the child is crying too much. They are crying because of the burn and
will continue to cry through their treatment but it is so important to take the heat out of the
burn. Be aware however of hypothermia when treating the young, cover them up as much as
possible with dry warm towels during treatment as this can prevent severe body temperature
loss.

The most serious accidents are caused in the kitchen and 30,000 children are treated in
A&E each year with signs of poisoning. If a child does consume a poisonous product, your
immediate reaction might be to induce vomiting, but avoid this as the liquid will potentially
burn the child’s throat when they vomit. Call an ambulance and keep the child seated – do
not walk them around as this will make the heart pump faster and enable the poison to
circulate the body faster. Always take a sample of any vomit and the poison they swallowed
to the hospital.

Accidents do happen but having the confidence to deal with an emergency can literally save
a life. First aid training in a friendly environment can give you the all-important skills that you
may need whilst looking after inquisitive little explorers who may often need more than just a
plaster!

* CAPT (Child Accident Prevention Trust) www.capt.org.uk

** Child Alert – www.childalert.co.uk

This information is provided by ABC Life Support is a Social Enterprise organisation founded by Danielle Bruce.

The
company was founded back in April 2010 and to date they have taught over 1000 parents,
carers and childcare professionals in and around the Uk. The company pledges to offer
flexible, affordable and fully interactive first aid training for all.
The company offers an ‘At Home’ service where you can access training for delivery in the
comfort of your own home.

For more information, contact info@abclifesupport.co.uk or call on 01438 726 666.