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First Aid

The Benefits of Taking a First Aid Course With Your Kids

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When you think about hanging out with the kids, your mind probably goes to amusement parks, the zoo, indoor fun centers, and the like. But a first aid class? You might imagine the look of disappointment on their faces when you describe a morning or afternoon of instruction, but give them the benefit of the doubt. A first aid course is fun in the right circumstances and setting, and you’ll equip them with the skills they need. Here are the benefits of taking a first aid course with your kids.

Learning First Aid Is Never Boring

First aid and CPR courses promise excitement, engaging activities, and interesting anecdotes from the instructor. You’ll have to practice what you learn, leading to the fun of practicing techniques on each other, including bandaging, CPR, Heimlich maneuvering, splints, and more. If your kids are fascinated with such things, they’ll love learning the importance of caring for others while satiating their curiosity.

First Aid Knowledge Builds Confidence

Another one of the benefits of taking a first aid course with your kids is that kids certified in first aid and CPR are more confident about their ability to handle an emergency. Kids can learn first aid skills as young as nine years old, and a child who knows how to look out for and care for their friends is more self-assured and will view themselves as a leader in their peer group. You’re also showing that you trust them with this sort of knowledge, making it a great bonding moment.

They’ll Learn Valuable Skills

There’s no argument against learning first aid. Everyone should know the basics of providing first aid to an injured or otherwise incapacitated person until healthcare professionals arrive. First aid gives a person a fighting chance, potentially saving their life, limbs, or general health and well-being. When you equip your kids with first aid skills, you’re ensuring this doesn’t just apply to your family but all the people your kids know or meet in their lives. Other courses and camps can entertain and educate your children, but first aid prepares them for the worst life can throw at them. Who knows? They may even save your life someday.

Top 10 First Aid Tips Every Parent Should Know

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The roles of a parent are endless: protector, tear-wiper, referee, chef, teacher…the list could go on and on.

However, it is in those crucial moments, when parents need to react immediately, that they play the most important role they will take on…that of a first responder.

All children injure themselves in one way or the other, in a minor or even major way. That is why parents must possess accurate first aid knowledge.

If parents can commit these essential first aid tips to memory, they can rest easy when their child is in need of immediate medical attention:

10. Safeguard for Potential Danger: Even for a well-behaved child, a house needs to be child-proofed. This task requires necessary steps: all poisonous materials (cleaners, matches, lighters, pool and automotive chemicals) need to be locked up, sharp objects should be out of reach, and fire and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed and checked regularly.

9. Preparation: It is not good enough to think you are prepared for first aid procedures and emergency situations; you need to know your family is prepared for these situations. Some steps that ensure sound preparation are: possessing necessary first aid items (and making them easily accessible), posting important phone numbers in a visible place (poison control, doctor’s office, neighbors), and establishing an affirmative plan for fires.

8.  Cuts and Scrapes: Proper first aid for these injuries may seem simple enough, but you may be surprised. To properly care for cuts and scrapes, the injured area should be washed with water only until it is clean. Then, apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover the cut or scrape with a clean bandage. This ensures the avoidance of infection.

7. Excessive Bleeding: If a cut or wound is bleeding profusely, you should call for emergency help. Until help arrives, wash your hands and then apply pressure to the wound with a clean gauze. Make sure the wound is elevated.

6. Sprains/Fractures: Sprains and fractures will cause bruising, swelling, redness and pain. You will not be able to diagnose this type of injury yourself, so professional care will need to be sought out. In the meantime, you can make your own splint by wrapping the injury with a towel and then using a stiff material (such as cardboard) to hold the area in place. The injury should also be elevated above the heart (if possible) and ice should be applied for 20 minutes to reduce swelling.

5. Nose Bleeds: Contrary to popular belief, tipping the head backwards is not the proper procedure in this situation. Instead, the nostrils should be pinched with pressure and your child should lean forward while breathing through their mouth for approximately 5 minutes.

4. Burns: To treat burns properly, the burned area should be run under cool water until the pain stops. It is incorrect to apply ice, ointment or butter to a burn. If the burn creates blisters, you should call your child’s doctor.

3. Insect Stings: Dangerous insects are a fairly common threat. If your child gets stung, you should promptly remove the stinger and apply ice in order to alleviate the pain. Your child should be carefully monitored after the stinging takes place for if they develop hives, swelling of the face or throat, or have difficulty breathing, emergency help is needed immediately.

2. Ticks: If your child is playing outside, you should always check them for ticks. If you find one, you will need to remove it immediately by using your fingers or tweezers. You will also need to keep an eye on your child to see if they develop a rash or fever. If this is the case, you will need to alert their doctor.

1. Common Sense: The above first aid tips are considered general information. Your own common sense should undoubtedly be present in these situations. In other words, use first aid procedures but be confident in your own judgment to know when to seek professional help!