First Aid Course? Yes!
Last week, I found myself in the unusual position of administering emergency first aid to a small child who had broken their leg. It was a stressful situation for all involved, including the mother herself who was distraught at what had happened. Note to parents, scooters are great fun, but accidents happen very easily on the little blighters. In this case the child had gone down a gently sloped hill, swerved to avoid a small hole in the road and fallen awkwardly instead, causing his leg to break.
I was responsible for keeping him still and calm until the ambulance arrived. I’ve never been so glad to hear a siren or for the terrific paramedics to break out the green box to administer that pain relief. In the meantime I had to keep him calm and assess his injuries.
The thing was I only did my first aid training last year. It took me that long to actually do it. I did my Bronze Medallion which was probably one of the most challenging kinds of courses I’ve ever done and actually really enjoyed it.Since then my offspring have had all manner of minor injuries that I’ve been able to treat myself, ranging from spider bites to cuts and scrapes.
So last week finally let me use those skills in a meaningful way. It broke my heart to be with this poor little boy who was in agonizing pain and was so incredibly brave. But I was able to be calm and reassuring which isn’t something I’d have been able to do in the past. I was also able to judge what should and shouldn’t be done to treat him, at least initially. I am not sure what my reaction would have been if it had been my child. Very possibly I would have fallen to pieces because there are few things worse than seeing your own child in pain.
I think most parents are incredibly busy and time poor. But in addition to having this e-book always near at hand (I have a copy in my car and on my fridge) I can’t speak highly enough of doing a first aid course. It’s probably one of the most valuable experiences I’ve ever had.
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After being a first aider on the scene of an accident recently, Sarah reflects on the benefits of the training.
Read the full blog post: First Aid Course? Yes!
Posted 13 June 2011 - 02:11 AM
I think a first aid course should be a must for all parents, i myself had the unfortunate experience of my little boy (2 year old at the time) walking in front of a friends 12 yr old child on a swing at the park and getting knocked over, landing awkward and breaking his arm! His father was supervising him and he looked away for a few seconds to another child that had called out to him and it happened that quickly, i was calm and focused on trying to ease my child and settle him whilst waiting for the ambulance i really think if i hadn't done my first aid i probley would have been a hysterical mess and no use to him at all as it was not a nice sight to see and go through! I done my first aid course through employment and it has been a valuable asset with having children, useful through cuts and scrapes to split heads and broken bones, even burns & not only my children but friends and family's aswell, it would be good if the government bought in a subsidised course for parents so more parents would do it and be well prepared for accidents or circumstances that arise!
Posted 03 July 2011 - 06:26 PM
It is fantastic that you are encouraging first aid for new parents and I would hope some of the older parents as well.
I just followed the links that you provided in your article and wanted to bring your attention to some newer information available from the ARC. The information that is supplied by the St Johns link is unfortunately no longer current and reflects why it is important to go to the correct source when Quoting what could be misleading.
It is also important to realise that you dont need to acknowledge anyone or state that this could have cost money as it is offered free of charge by the ARC without the reservations found through St John's. anyway here is the link and I hope that you and your parents are able to use this as a beginning of understanding of the correct method:) http://www.resus.org.au/public/arc_basic_life_support.pdf
Posted 20 July 2011 - 02:48 AM
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