Whether you’re a parent or carer, one of the most important skills you can have is paediatric first aid – the ability to provide immediate care if your child is injured or becomes suddenly ill. Learning paediatric first aid gives you the knowledge and confidence to act quickly and appropriately in an emergency until professional help arrives. Keep reading this article to find out why all parents and foster carers should take the time to learn these potentially life-saving skills.
Recognising Childhood Emergencies
The first step in providing first aid is recognising when a child requires urgent medical attention. Paediatric first aid courses teach you how to identify life-threatening conditions in children, including breathing difficulties, seizures, head injuries, severe bleeding, choking, poisoning, burns, and more. You learn how to assess a child’s condition by checking their airway, breathing, circulation, and level of response. This information allows you to determine if an illness or injury is an emergency and requires immediate action.
Administering CPR and First Aid
A key component of paediatric first aid training is learning CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and other first aid techniques tailored to children. Courses cover CPR methods for infants and children, including using chest compressions and rescue breaths. You practice these skills using CPR mannequins so you feel confident performing them in real situations. Beyond CPR, you gain first-aid knowledge on controlling bleeding, treating burns and wounds, managing head and spinal injuries, and more. These skills empower you to provide immediate care to stabilise your child until emergency services arrive.
Choking Prevention and Response
Choking is a leading cause of death and injury for young children. Paediatric first aid teaches you how to prevent choking hazards. You also learn how to identify the signs of choking and respond appropriately based on a child’s age. For infants under one year, you are trained on back blows and chest thrusts to clear airway obstructions. For older children, you learn abdominal thrusts and CPR modifications for choking victims. Having this knowledge instils confidence to act quickly when seconds matter most.
Staying Calm Under Pressure
Emergencies involving children are highly stressful for parents. Paediatric first aid training helps you manage panic and focus on the steps needed to help your child. Through roleplaying real-life scenarios, you learn how to control your nerves and provide care in the moment. You gain confidence in your skills and ability to handle whatever situation arises. Staying calm allows you to reassure your child and effectively manage the emergency until medical treatment is available. This calmness under pressure can greatly improve outcomes.
Confidence to Care for Children
Ultimately, paediatric first aid gives all parents and carers greater confidence in their ability to care for children. You gain peace of mind knowing you can recognise childhood emergencies, remain calm under pressure, and deliver appropriate treatment. These skills allow you to provide the best possible care until medical treatment is available. Paediatric first aid training equips parents and foster carers like those fostering in Durham with the key skills to protect and save young lives.
Learning paediatric first aid is one of the most valuable investments parents and foster carers can make. The ability to act quickly and appropriately in childhood emergencies can have profound impacts on outcomes.