Some of us have been in difficult situations where medical help was not accessible immediately. And then we were told that if only some effective care was given promptly, recovery would have been better and the damage minimised. Someday you might find yourself in a situation where you have more than one to care for (as in a road traffic accident), the need to know how to triage (which is defined as the assignment of degrees of urgency to wounds or illnesses to decide the order of treatment) - to know who needs the most help, and who can just be maintained until help arrives is such a great thing. There are also times when intervention might make things worse because it was done instinctively and out of ignorance.
I do not know why our country does not invest suffuciently in healthcare and why we don't have good paramedical support for ourselves while we are exporting it world over. I will save that discussion for another time. Right now I just want to stress that as parents and caregivers it is of utmost importance to learn how to stay calm, assess and take control of the situation and respond in medical emergencies before help arrives. Knowing when to take care of something yourself, when to seek the assistance of a doctor, or when to call the ambulance first is hard as parents. It difficult to separate the emotion from the situation and know how to proceed. But knowledge is power.
I am listing out a set of first aid measures that one should know and the minimal equipment to be kept handy. I believe that hands-on training is absolutely necessary and that reading about the procedures or even watching them are no substitutes. Knowing the correct procedures can make the difference between life and death. Make these a priority for you to learn and make sure you spread the message to schools, day-care centres and activity places that your children attend.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
I want to emphasise that the chance of contracting infections from resuscitation efforts is very minimal. Guidelines have changed after several studies have established that giving chest thrusts (technically compressions) takes priority over giving mouth to mouth or mouth to nose breaths. Do train yourself in this essential skill. I wish this was taught to students in class ten along with all that supposedly prepares them for life.
Abdominal thrusts given in choking (earlier called Heimlich Manoeuvre)
Train yourself to recognise the early signs of choking and if the child is unable to cough or speak. This technique is seldom as dramatic as demonstrated in the movies but the results are. Make it a must know to all caregivers, especially around toddlers.
Injury care
Keep an icepack and some sterile gauze dressings and gloves along with antiseptic at a handy location in your home. For bruises, ice or a cold compress is useful in the first 24 hours, then switch to warm compresses. In case of a severe injury, immobilise the limbs if you suspect a broken bone. Have the injured child lie down and cover him to prevent loss of body heat. If possible, position the head slightly lower than the trunk, raise the legs and elevate the site of bleeding. Wearing gloves, remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Use a sterile bandage or clean cloth and apply continuous pressure for at least 20 minutes without looking to see if the bleeding has stopped. Maintain pressure by binding the wound tightly with a bandage or clean cloth and adhesive tape or use your hands. Sometimes if the bleeding doesn't stop with direct pressure, apply pressure to the main blood vessels delivering blood to the injured area (pressing against the bone with fingers flat) with your other hand. Pressure points of the arm are on the inside of the arm just above the elbow and below the armpit and for the leg they are just behind the knee and in the groin. Immobilize the injured body part once the bleeding has stopped. Leave the bandages in place as the child is taken to hospital. DO NOT hastily move a child if you suspect an injury over the head, neck or back. Call for medical assistance and keep them warm.
Dehydration and diarrhoea care
Dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting are the commonest reasons kids end up in the hospital. Discuss with your doctor and understand when to give fluids, when to stop, and how to feed during times of severe abdominal problems.
Shock recognition
In medical terms, shock is an emergency where the body's vital organs suffer a lack of blood or oxygen. This can happen in many conditions. Familiarise yourself with the early signs (cold clammy skin, lacklustre eyes, fast heartbeat, lack of orientation to surroundings) so you can act fast. Always ensure that the room a sick child is in has adequate lighting, ventilation and that the child's hands and feet are kept warm.
Attending to fits
It is a misconception that restraining a child can stop a fit. Fits usually remit spontaneously within two minutes and while arrangements are being made to see the doctor the child is to be shielded from injuries. Keep the child lying on to his side so that he does not aspirate the secretions.
Burns management
Place a cool, damp cloth over the burn area. If your child's skin becomes red, pale, or charred, place a clean, cool, damp cloth gently over the burn. Cover him with a clean sheet and blanket for warmth before taking him to the hospital. Don't apply any ice or ointment to the burn immediately.
Poisoning
Make sure toxic substances are out of reach and if you suspect an intake carry the container to the hospital. Do not attempt to make the child vomit chemicals like oils and painting mediums. It will do more harm than good.
It's always better to be safe than sorry. There are timely and tactful techniques that make one resourceful.These skills will be your assets for a lifetime. So take time to know them.
I do not know why our country does not invest suffuciently in healthcare and why we don't have good paramedical support for ourselves while we are exporting it world over. I will save that discussion for another time. Right now I just want to stress that as parents and caregivers it is of utmost importance to learn how to stay calm, assess and take control of the situation and respond in medical emergencies before help arrives. Knowing when to take care of something yourself, when to seek the assistance of a doctor, or when to call the ambulance first is hard as parents. It difficult to separate the emotion from the situation and know how to proceed. But knowledge is power.
I am listing out a set of first aid measures that one should know and the minimal equipment to be kept handy. I believe that hands-on training is absolutely necessary and that reading about the procedures or even watching them are no substitutes. Knowing the correct procedures can make the difference between life and death. Make these a priority for you to learn and make sure you spread the message to schools, day-care centres and activity places that your children attend.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
I want to emphasise that the chance of contracting infections from resuscitation efforts is very minimal. Guidelines have changed after several studies have established that giving chest thrusts (technically compressions) takes priority over giving mouth to mouth or mouth to nose breaths. Do train yourself in this essential skill. I wish this was taught to students in class ten along with all that supposedly prepares them for life.
Abdominal thrusts given in choking (earlier called Heimlich Manoeuvre)
Train yourself to recognise the early signs of choking and if the child is unable to cough or speak. This technique is seldom as dramatic as demonstrated in the movies but the results are. Make it a must know to all caregivers, especially around toddlers.
Injury care
Keep an icepack and some sterile gauze dressings and gloves along with antiseptic at a handy location in your home. For bruises, ice or a cold compress is useful in the first 24 hours, then switch to warm compresses. In case of a severe injury, immobilise the limbs if you suspect a broken bone. Have the injured child lie down and cover him to prevent loss of body heat. If possible, position the head slightly lower than the trunk, raise the legs and elevate the site of bleeding. Wearing gloves, remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Use a sterile bandage or clean cloth and apply continuous pressure for at least 20 minutes without looking to see if the bleeding has stopped. Maintain pressure by binding the wound tightly with a bandage or clean cloth and adhesive tape or use your hands. Sometimes if the bleeding doesn't stop with direct pressure, apply pressure to the main blood vessels delivering blood to the injured area (pressing against the bone with fingers flat) with your other hand. Pressure points of the arm are on the inside of the arm just above the elbow and below the armpit and for the leg they are just behind the knee and in the groin. Immobilize the injured body part once the bleeding has stopped. Leave the bandages in place as the child is taken to hospital. DO NOT hastily move a child if you suspect an injury over the head, neck or back. Call for medical assistance and keep them warm.
Dehydration and diarrhoea care
Dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting are the commonest reasons kids end up in the hospital. Discuss with your doctor and understand when to give fluids, when to stop, and how to feed during times of severe abdominal problems.
Shock recognition
In medical terms, shock is an emergency where the body's vital organs suffer a lack of blood or oxygen. This can happen in many conditions. Familiarise yourself with the early signs (cold clammy skin, lacklustre eyes, fast heartbeat, lack of orientation to surroundings) so you can act fast. Always ensure that the room a sick child is in has adequate lighting, ventilation and that the child's hands and feet are kept warm.
Attending to fits
It is a misconception that restraining a child can stop a fit. Fits usually remit spontaneously within two minutes and while arrangements are being made to see the doctor the child is to be shielded from injuries. Keep the child lying on to his side so that he does not aspirate the secretions.
Burns management
Place a cool, damp cloth over the burn area. If your child's skin becomes red, pale, or charred, place a clean, cool, damp cloth gently over the burn. Cover him with a clean sheet and blanket for warmth before taking him to the hospital. Don't apply any ice or ointment to the burn immediately.
Poisoning
Make sure toxic substances are out of reach and if you suspect an intake carry the container to the hospital. Do not attempt to make the child vomit chemicals like oils and painting mediums. It will do more harm than good.
It's always better to be safe than sorry. There are timely and tactful techniques that make one resourceful.These skills will be your assets for a lifetime. So take time to know them.
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