Some information about first aid
Knowing how to give on-the-spot help can save a life. Learn some basic first aid. Enrol on a course run by the British Red Cross or the St John Ambulance Brigade in England, and the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association in Scotland. (Find your local branches in the phone book.) Also remember that children may be ready to learn simple first aid from the age of 8. The basic rule of thumb in first aid is to stay calm and think.Firstly, you should recognise when you are dealing with an emergency.
Dial 999 or rush to hospital if:
- A child has a convulsion OR stops breathing
- a child is or was unconscious
- a child is being sick several times or seems drowsy
- a child has difficulty breathing
- a child has serious burns
- a baby becomes blue on the lips or face
- you suspect poisoning
- you cannot stop the bleeding
- there is severe pain
- there is bleeding from an ear
- has symptoms of meningitis
Contact your doctor the following morning if your baby
- misses a couple of feeds, seems listless – lacks energy, much sleepier than usual, or otherwise unresponsive
- vomits for more than one hour • has diarrhea lasting more than one day or blood in the nappy
- develops an unexplained rash
- seems feverish, hot and clammy
If baby stops breathing
Resuscitation is best learned with a qualified instructor. Techniques for babies are different from those used with children and adults. Call for help IMMEDAITELY.- Check that all airways are clear and that there are no visible obstructions in the nose or throat Lie baby on her back, her head tilted back slightly and place your mouth over her nose and mouth. Breath (don’t blow) until you see the chest rise. Stop and allow chest to fall. Repeat breathing at a rate of about 20 breaths per minute. After every 20 breaths, read more
