Administering first aid during the first few minutes of an emergency could save a life – which makes the knowledge of first aid highly crucial when it comes to the life of your child.
Paramjit Singh, a Malaysia Red Crescent senior instructor who has served in the association for more than 30 years, shares with ParenThots four basic first aid tips parents need to know.
“First of all, one of the most important aspects when it comes to a child’s environment is safety. Every single thing around a child must have its place and be in place. So, keep your homes well organised. Make it a priority for your children to be as safe as possible from any accidents because, as we know, children can have very curious hands,” advises Paramjit.
He continues to explain that in any emergency, parents should approach the situation as calmly as possible. Often, panic causes rash decisions to be made and that might not yield the best or safest results.
In an initial survey of an emergency situation, the Red Crescent uses the D-R-A-B-C-H step process:
‘D’ for danger – Assess whether the situation poses any danger to the victim and yourself. Safety comes first.
‘R’ for response – Check how alert or responsive the victim is.
‘A’ for airway – Check whether the victim’s airway passage is clear or constricted.
‘B’ for breathing – Check if the victim is breathing.
‘C’ for circulation – Check the victim's blood circulation by checking for a pulse.
'H’ for haemorrhage – Check for any bleeding especially from the head.
Paramjit cautions that parents and adults must practise utmost care in administrating any treatment and first aid on infants and toddlers as they are much more fragile.
The following first aid tips are meant to be performed mainly on children aged between two and 12. Do not improvise for first aid on infants as this could be quite dangerous.
Burns
1. Very quickly, go through the D-R-A-B-C-H check process. If all is well, then proceed to the next step.
2. Cool down the affected area by putting it under cool, running water (not cold/ice water) for 15-20 minutes.
3. Dry off the affected area and cover the wound with a clean bandage.
4. If you suspect any further injury or are in doubt of the seriousness of the burn, always immediately take your child to the nearest doctor for an examination.
Note: Avoid using household items like toothpaste or butter to treat the burn.
Poisonous liquids - non-corrosive
If your child has consumed a non-corrosive poisonous liquid such as shampoo or soap:
1. Dilute the liquid consumed by getting your child to drink plain water or milk.
2. Induce vomiting by “tickling” the back of your child’s throat. This is to help expel whatever poisonous liquid your child has consumed. (While going through this process, make sure your child is responding well to your instructions and breathing properly.)
3. Immediately take your child to the nearest doctor for further examination.
DO NOT induce vomiting if your child is semi-conscious or not conscious.
Poisonous liquids - corrosive
If your child has consumed a corrosive liquid such as a cleaning detergent:
1. Dilute the liquid consumed by getting your child to drink plain water. DO NOT induce vomiting as this will cause more corrosion in your child’s body. (While going through this process, make sure your child is responding well to your instructions and breathing properly.)
2. Immediately take your child to the nearest doctor for further examination.
Choking
There are two types of choking: Partial choking, when your child is still coughing and able to make sounds, and there are signs of breath intake through the mouth; and total choking, when the airway is obstructed hence your child can’t cough or speak.
If your child is partially choking, encourage him/her to lean over and continue coughing to help expel the object that is blocking the airway. If that does not stop the choking then proceed quickly to do the Heimlich manoeuvre*.
In a total choking incident, you would perform the Heimlich manoeuvre*:
1. Get your child to stand up. Kneel directly behind him/her (as usually your child is smaller than you).
2. Put your arms around your child’s waist.
3. Create a fist with one hand and, with the thumb-side facing inwards towards your child, place it firmly on the middle of your child’s abdomen (above the navel and just slightly under the ribcage) – no knuckles. Wrap the other hand over the fist.
4. Firmly push in-and-up towards the belly. This helps to push air out of the airway and therefore cause the obstructing object to be expelled. Do this 2-3 times and check if the choking stops.
5. Repeat steps 1-3 until object is dislodged and your child is breathing normally again.
Bear in mind to use firm movements, not extreme force, when performing the Heimlich manoeuvre on your child as to avoid fracturing his/her bones or causing further internal injury.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on children
1. Check the immediate surroundings for signs of danger. Remember, safety first!
2. If safe, quickly approach your child and check for response e.g. talking to your child, gently tapping his/her shoulder or face. (If your child wakes, makes sounds/talks or gets up, then CPR is not necessary.) If there is no response from your child, immediately call 999 for help. If there is another person with you, ask that person to call 999 for help.
3. Kneel next to your child. Put one hand on your child’s forehead and the other under your child’s chin. With one smooth movement, tilt the head upwards so that the chin is pointing towards the ceiling.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
