Children's First Aid Training

Although small, children are capable of preventing or assisting with dangerous or life threatening situations provided they have the proper instruction and training. Young children are excited about learning; along with reading, writing, art and games, children can be taught beginning emergency procedures and CPR practices. Adults in charge of children should familiarize themselves with how to teach them first aid; it's never too early to know how to save a life.

First Aid Kit

• Parents or teachers helping kids learn about first aid should begin with a first aid kit. Let kids go through the kit and familiarize themselves with the content, while adults explain the purpose and proper usage of each item. First aid kits should include a booklet with first aid instructions and resources, bandages, gauze, tape, thermometer, ice pack, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, scissors, soap, tweezers, cotton balls, disposable gloves, calamine lotion, matches, ipecac and activated charcoal. Children should be informed of where the kit will be kept, as well as the importance of only using the kit in emergency situations.

Basic Training

• Adults teaching first aid should explain certain simple concepts regarding first aid care, including how and when to call 911 and what to do in the case of broken bones, head injuries, burns, bleeding, choking, heart attacks and lack of breathing. Children should know that broken bones should not be moved or straightened and the victim should be kept warm and quiet. In the case of head injuries, kids need to know which signs necessitate 911, including massive swelling, vomiting, pupil contraction or dilation, speech changes and dizziness. Children should know that burns with blistered or red skin need to be submerged in cold water; in the cases of advanced degree burns they are not to touch the skin, but quickly call 911. With bleeding, children should be taught to elevate the affected body part and apply steady and firm pressure with their hands over the would. For CPR or other emergency procedures required by choking, heart attacks or lack of breathing, children should be taught proper protocol and procedures by emergency personnel.

Visiting Emergency Personnel

• If possible, teachers or parents should arrange for a fireman, police officer, nurse, EMT or Red Cross representative to visit the child's school or home. It's important for children to learn specific first aid, CPR and Heimlich procedures from certified personnel. Kids will be sure to get the correct information, and the official title and unfamiliar presence of the person delivering the information will help them appreciate the importance of the situation.

Interactive Activities

• Learning first aid practices can be fun. Parents and teachers should try to come up with creative interactive scenarios to help students practice what they've learned. Student's can put on a game show filled with first aid trivia or play a guessing game called "These are my symptoms... how do you treat me?" Kids could also put on skits in which they pretend to be hurt or injured and then another classmate demonstrates the proper response.

Review

• The most important part of teaching a child first aid training is review; information loses its usefulness if it's forgotten. Parents and teachers should be sure to ask children "What would you do if...?" often. Scenarios include "What would you do if you were babysitting your little sister and noticed she wasn't breathing?" or "What would you do if your dad clutched his chest and fell to the ground unconscious?" or "What would you do if your friend accidentally cut herself and was bleeding badly?" These scenarios may sound morbid or uncomfortable, but it's imperative to keep emergency protocol at the front of child's mind, so in the event of a real emergency, they act with no hesitation.