First aid skills every Mum and Dad should know

One thing that every parent is sure of is that accidents happen. But, apart from being able to rub a sore knee better or kiss away a boo-boo, which first aid skills are absolutely essential when you’re a mom or dad? In an emergency situation, would you be able to know what to do before the ambulance arrives? It may be every parent’s worst nightmare, but being able to perform effective first aid on your child could be the difference between life and death. Whether you’re expecting your first child or are a parent already, here are some vital first aid skills that you should definitely learn.

CPR

Knowing CPR is an essential skill, whether or not you are a parent. CPR saves lives, and it’s essential that anybody suffering from a cardiac arrest receives it whilst they are waiting for a defibrillator and the paramedics to arrive. Although in the case of cardiac arrest the paramedics will be on scene within a few minutes, whether or not CPR is given during that short amount of time can make all the difference to whether or not their heart starts beating again. Although hopefully you never need to witness anybody – let alone your child – go into cardiac arrest, enrolling on a CPR and child CPR training course can help you be best prepared for the worst to happen.

Choking

Would you know what to do if your child was choking on their food? Having a child choke is a worst nightmare for many parents, but it unfortunately happens all the time. Small children like to pick things up and put them in their mouths, and all it takes is for your back to be turned for two seconds and your child to find something small or swallow some food whole without chewing it properly. Knowing how to respond to choking can help you to minimize any danger that your child is in and get them to spit the food or object that they’re choking on back up as quickly as possible.

Broken Bones

Kids fall over and break their bones – and a broken arm or leg is probably something that most parents have to deal with at least once. But, knowing what to do if your child falls over and breaks a bone can help to make sure that the healing process goes smoothly. Make sure that you know how to tie a sling if your child breaks their arm or wrist in order to ensure that it is supported and doesn’t get worse before they can get to the hospital and have a cast put on. If your child breaks their leg, it’s vital to know how to keep it supported and ensure that your child doesn’t move until medical assistance arrives.

Unconsciousness

Having an unconscious child can be a scary experience for any parent. Whether it is the result of a medical condition or due to a head injury, knowing what to do if your child passes out is crucial. Take a first aid course to learn how to put your child in the recovery position and how to deal with unconsciousness.

These are just some of the main first aid skills that you should know as a parent. Take a course to make sure that you’re fully prepared.

First aid image by ShutterStock.