CPR Kids: Why Knowing First Aid & CPR Is Important For Parents

Mummy Inspiration: Learning first aid and CPR for kids is important especially when you are a parent! 

This is a guest post written by Sarah Hunstead, a Paediatric Nurse, mother of 2, and Founding Director of CPR Kids. CPR Kids is an organisation that offers resources and training in CPR and first aid for babies (and children) either in hospital or privately. It is a great option for parents, family, carers, and anyone who may be working with children! Knowing even the basics of first aid and CPR can be crucial in helping your children and even saving a life.

You can find CPR Kids on the CPR Kids Website//Facebook//Instagram//Youtube//Linkedin


Sarah Hunstead RN (B Nurs) MN
Paediatric Nurse, Mother of 2 and Founding Director of CPR Kids

With 15 years of experience in paediatric emergency nursing and a determination to share her life-saving knowledge with others, Sarah founded CPR Kids in 2012.

Becoming a mother reinforced how valuable her professional experience was – if her girls were sick or injured, she knew just what to do. By teaching other parents and carers vital first aid and CPR skills, Sarah gives them the knowledge and confidence to help a child in an emergency.

Sarah has a Masters Degree in Clinical Practice, and has worked in various roles in paediatric emergency departments in Sydney and Melbourne, including Nurse Unit Manager and Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Sarah’s book A Life. A Finger. A Pea Up a Nose: A practical guide to baby and child first aid has just been released by Harper Collins.

You don’t have x-ray vision

My husband’s 40th birthday celebration – I remember it well. Long lunch with friends and family… and our daughter broke her leg. In the midst of our frivolity I received the dreaded call from our babysitter, saying our five year old had hurt her leg while bouncing on the trampoline.

I wasn’t too worried. Our babysitter had put ice on it and given her some ibuprofen, and we would be home soon. I must admit I was surprised when I saw how swollen her ankle was, but being a paediatric nurse (and knowing what a penchant for drama Miss 5 had) I thought it best to wait and see. When she still couldn’t walk on it the next morning, I then thought it best to take her to the hospital. And yes, there was a small break. Mum of the Year!

The thing is, unless it is incredibly obvious – like the bones are sticking out or the limb is deformed – you can’t tell if a bone is broken, or if it is a soft tissue (muscle or ligament) injury. We don’t have x-ray eyes!

Certain signs and behaviour can help us decide what course of action we need to take.

If your child has injured themselves, and you can see bone or there is a deformity (a banana arm, for example), or your child is in extreme pain, you need to call triple zero – Ambulance.

However, sometimes the signs and symptoms can be more subtle. There may be some swelling to the limb (can be hard to tell in a chubby toddler!) or your child may refuse to walk or use their arm. A good thing to do here is watch them play from a distance – if they still won’t use the limb, even when they think no one is watching, a trip to doctor is in order. Remember, you don’t have x-ray vision, so your child may need an x-ray!

It is vital that you know the first aid not only for limb injuries, but also all the other medical emergencies you may face having little ones around. Make sure you are confident to help your child. Go to the CPR Kids website for more hints and tips, and to see our classes www.cprkids.com.au

Facebook: @CPRKids https://facebook.com/CPRKids
Instagram: @CPRKids https://instagram.com/CPRKids
YouTube: www.youtube.com/CPRKidsTV
Linked in: https://au.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hunstead-311a1866

*Edited to add*

Be sure to check out their Facebook Live on various First Aid and CPR topics! (Click on each topic to follow the link to the related videos)

CPR For Babies & Children

First Aid For Choking

(Soon to come, First Aid for Burns from CPR Kids. Facebook Live is due on March 22 if you want to see it first hand)

 

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