The first and most important rule in any emergency is to remain calm! Here is the basic knowledge for CPR and Choking emergencies.
C.P.R
Following the proper Red Cross first-aid procedures for rescue breathing, tilt the child's head back; lifting from the chin and pushing the forehead back in order to open the airway. Then, pinche the child's nose, take in a regular breath and place your mouth over the child's and give him/her two breaths, watching to see if the chest rises and falls. If it doesn't, check for a pulse again and if there isn't one, immediately start CPR and continues rescue breathing.
During CPR, place the heel of her hand on the lower part of the sternum, while using the other hand to tilt the head back to open the airway. Compress the chest 30 times at a depth of 1/2 an inch at a rate of 100 per minute, giving two rescue breaths in between chest compressions. Continue this for five cycles then check for a pulse. This should continue until emergency response teams arrive.
Choking Emergencies
If a child is choking and the object is not immediately dislodged, call 911 and carry out the following procedure until emergency response teams arrive. According to the Red Cross's first-aid procedures, immediately lean the child forward and deliver five back blows with the heel of the hand in between the child's shoulders. If the object isn't forced out, the person performing the procedure will position him/her self to administer the Heimlich maneuver, standing behind the child placing the thumb side of his/her fist against the middle of the abdomen just above the belly button. Grasping with the fist with their other hand give five quick and upward abdominal thrusts in hopes of forcing the air in the body to dislodge the candy from the child's throat. The assistant keeps performing sets of back blows and abdominal thrusts until the item becomes dislodged or until emergency response teams arrive.
In order to administer either first-aid maneuvers for a choking child or CPR, it is advisable to obtain certification in FIRST-AID and CPR. For more information click the following link: http://www.redcross.org
This site for The Red Cross will allow you to search where First-Aid and CPR courses are offered. Be advised, some organizations require a small fee for participants in their certification classes.
Have a Blessed day!!
**References**
American Red Cross. (n.d.). American Red Cross. Retrieved March 28, 2010, from
http://www.redcross.org/
This is informative, and I believe that not only should childcare professional have this training, but parents as well. I have asked parents and they do not have this training. You are right you have to remain calm in the event of an emergency. Every center should have an emergency plan so staff knows what to do. In the event of an incident people, need to know what to do and say if something happens. I also suggest having someone from the Red Cross come and speak to parents and staff about CPR and First Aid and the importance in having this skill.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this posting. I have CPR training as well as first aid training and you hope as a professional to not have to use it. One day while I was eating breakfast with my family, my son age 9 began to choke on a piece of bacon. I was very calm and remembered all of the steps of what to do when a child is choking. I used the heimlich maneuver on him and the piece of bacon expelled from his throat and he was ok. To my surprise even though it was my own child choking, I remembered to remain calm in order to help him. If I can remain calm for my own child then I am sure I can remain calm for someone else's. Being CALM is key to helping someone in distress.
ReplyDeleteAlong with being calm, it is important to be prepared. Good planning and preparation helps emergency situations transpire quickly and smoothly. As you mentioned Cpr & first aide training should be taken. Emergency numbers, responsibilty of individuals around, and first aide kits with necessary supplies on hand should all be in place. When these techniques are implemented everyone including the child can be calm.
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