First Aid for Children

Children are the apple of our eyes. They are curious but will not always be aware of the risk to which they expose themselves while playing. Our first aid training for day camps and early childhood first aid will give you the first aid techniques and knowledge to prevent or cure the possible health problems of our little ones.

What will we learn in a children first aid course?

The basic tips are often well known: beware of the sun, the cold, the heights, strangers. Of course, it is important to wear a helmet and safety equipment if children are playing sports. It is also recommended to put sunscreen and to avoid being exposed to the sun between 11AM and 4PM. In winter, limit the duration of games outside to avoid frostbite. But two big dangers are lying in wait for them and it is an asthma attack, and allergy crisis which, if badly managed, can lead to important consequences and even the death of the child.

The asthma attack can occur at any time and the child may suddenly have trouble breathing normally. It is often triggered by allergens such as pollen or animal hair, tobacco, stress and anxiety, physical activity, and even some foods. Symptoms of asthma attacks include difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or dry cough. Our first aid training for day camps, early childcare, as well as our babysitters courses teach you how to take care of a person who has an asthma attack by putting them in a comfortable position, loosening up their clothing and asking them to breathe slowly and deeply. If they usually use bronchodilators (asthma pumps), they should be administered quickly. However, if they do not have a medication, it is their first asthma attack, and/or if the crisis continues beyond ten (10) minutes, it is imperative to call the ambulance.

When facing a case of severe allergic reaction, the person’s body is mainly reacting in a strong manner to fight off an allergen for which it has created antibodies. The symptoms are visible on several levels. In the lungs, the person may have trouble breathing. At the cardiovascular level there may be a drop in blood pressure and dizziness. The skin may be cold, clammy and pale. You may also notice swelling and even the appearance of rashes. Finally, at the gastrointestinal level, the patient may vomit or experience diarrhea and cramps. A combination of two (2) or more of these symptoms requires the administration of a dose of epinephrine which is more commonly known as an “Epipen.” If the person has their own, quickly administer it, otherwise ask everyone around you if anyone has one. Giving a dose of Epipen can save a person’s life so always give the Epipen first before calling 911. Epipen gives a dose of epinephrine and adrenaline that will give an adrenergic discharge to the patient that may have symptoms of tremors, agitation or increased heart rate within minutes of the injection. This is perfectly normal. The dose for children is 0.15 mg and the one for adults is 0.30 mg but in case of emergency, a dose for children is better than nothing at all for an adult. If the reaction is severe and the child’s life is in danger, you can give him an adult dose if you have nothing else on hand. These techniques are taught in our first aid training for day camps, firt aid training for early childhood centres and first aid guardian training so that you can keep calm while knowing exactly what to do in these situations.