Having children changes your life. They don’t come with instruction manuals and the odd bump and scrape along the way is inevitable. Having first aid knowledge is absolutely key to dealing with emergency situations calmly and confidently, whether they’re big or small.

1. Make sure you have a well stocked first aid kit with you for days out i.e. gloves, plasters, a selection of different sized bandages, alcohol free wipes etc.
2. Try to remain calm – Children react to stress and anxiety.
3. Determine if the accident warrants a visit to hospital – Remember a noisy child is a good sign! If stitches are needed visit your local minor injuries unit but if the casualty is unconscious call 999 or 112.
4. Dealing with choking – Try to resist from putting your fingers into a child or baby’s mouth as you may push the object further into the windpipe. Stand to the side of the child and lean them forward using your arm as a support (lie them over your knee if it’s a baby). Use the heel of your hand to give a ‘Back Blow’ in between the child or baby’s shoulder blades. Remember your ‘Back Blow’ needs to be hard in order to remove the blockage. Check the child or baby’s mouth and the floor after each ‘Back Blow’. Treating a choking child or baby should only really be done by First Aid trained personnel!!!! 
5. Dealing with a bleed – Sit the child down, examine the wound, elevate the injury and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. If bleeding lasts for more than 10 minutes, consult the emergency services. 
6. Dealing with foreign objects – Do not be tempted to pull a foreign object out of a wound, always consult the emergency services. Use a blunt edge (ie: bank / store card etc) to remove things like splinters and bee stings by gently swiping it over the wound to knockout the splinter or sting. 
7. Head injuries – All head injuries in children are counted as serious but remember if the lump is on the outside it’s a good thing. Apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling. You know your child better than anyone so if they are reacting in a different way to normal call 999. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO FALL INTO A DEEP SLEEP, wake them every 10 minutes to assess their alert levels. 
8. Seizures – If your child falls to the floor and starts to shake violently DO NOT restrain them. Move any dangers out of the way, time how long the seizure lasts and if it’s their first seizure call 999. 
9. Always treat for shock – Every casualty will go into shock as it’s the body’s way of dealing with different situations. Look out for pale, cold, clammy skin, their breathing will become fast and shallow and their alert levels will start to reduce. To make them feel more comfortable, lie them down with their legs slightly raised. If they are struggling to breathe sit them on the floor leaning up against something solid like a wall or another person. If they become unconscious call 999. 
10. Recovery position – The recovery position, where the casualty is positioned on their side allows the airway to remain open whilst the casualty is unconscious. Never leave a casualty on their back as they may choke on their own vomit.

Parents never like to think of their children in harmful situations but those who have been on a first aid course often state it’s one of the best safeguards you can have for your family. When mum Nikki Bridges went on a British Red Cross first aid course, she never foresaw that she would have to use what she had learned on her own children. Thankfully her daughter made a full recovery but Nicki credits her first aid training with British Red Cross for saving her child’s life.

According to research, face-to-face training is the preferred method of learning first aid for parents. The Red Cross baby and child first aid course is hands-on and allows you to practice what you have learned. The lifelong skills you will take with you when you leave the training room are invaluable.

To book on a course visit: www.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk or telephone: 0844 412 2736

You can also learn about twenty first aid procedures by visiting our Children First Aid site. Please go to: www.redcross.org.uk/childrenfirstaid