CPR and Choking Emergencies

Section 3: CPR and Choking Emergencies                      

A three year old in the preschool has stopped breathing. He was playing, and all at once he falls to the ground and is not breathing. The teacher sees this and immediately runs to help the child. When a child stops breathing it is a life or death emergency.

The proper emergency procedures for dealing with this are as follows;

 First see if the child is responsive. Do this by lightly tapping him or shaking him on shoulders. Say the child’s name in a very loud voice. If the child is not responding call 911. Call out for someone to call 911. Check to see if you can see the obstruction.

Next go and get an Automatic External defibrillator, or have someone get one. If alone shout for help. Next if you think it is needed start CPR. Make sure the child is on a flat solid surface. Use the heel of your hand and push in on the lower part of the breastbone. This should be done between the nipples. Begin to push down. Be sure to push straight down. Just push down two inches. Allow the chest to come back up. Do these again 30 times, about twice per second. Use two hands if required. If you have completed one round of compressions and you are certified in child CPR then do two rescue breaths. Please remember only if you have the certification. Then you will have to do five more groups. If you are alone, you will perform CPR for two minutes. Keep this up until help arrives. Continue even if the child wakes up.

Choking

A three year old boy in preschool is choking. The teacher was told by the other child something is wrong with their classmate. The teacher runs over to see what is happening. She sees he is choking. She sees that he is responsive. He is breathing and able to talk. She tilts his head back and opens his mouth. She sees obstruction and removes it. Child is now find and goes off to play. If the child was not breathing and unconscious she would start CPR.  

                 Supplies

Having knowledge and training and planning are very important when faced with emergencies.  Having the proper training can save lives. Plan in advance to have many practice drills. Plan supplies need for emergencies. Always plan to take first aid kit with you. Take the first aid kit even when going out to playground. I feel the first aid kit should go with you whenever you leave the classroom. When working with children, you should be trained in CPR. I believe in some states one teacher on the site needs to be CPR certified. Teachers also need to be trained in first aid. Having first aid training can protect children. Knowing how to wrap an arm and dress a wound will help prevent further problems. With training and knowledge emergencies will go smoother and calmer. Training with help you to have the knowledge to know how deal with different emergencies. So it is best to have in training and planning for emergencies, you could save lives.

Adults need to have proper supplies on hand for emergencies. You need to keep emergency contact numbers on hand. This should include all children and adults in the classroom. Keep medication list with supplies. “Keep a cell phone and charger with supplies.  Have items for those children, with special needs that they may require. Keep inhaler or EpiPen for children with allergies. All kinds of bandages need to be supplied. Have ice packs that are instant. Have money stored in with supplies. Keep different size ace bandages with supplies. Scissors and tweezers, safety pins and gauze pads are needed. Have bandage tape and antibiotic and cortisone ointment. CPR shield for performing CPR. Bee stings kit, insect bites stick and hand sanitizer, need to be kept. You will need eye wash, pads for eyes, unbreakable thermometer, and three black plastic trash bags, duct tape and bottle water. Keep a first aid guide with items. Have CPR instruction card to review.” Taking steps to have these supplies furnish, will prepare you for many emergencies. Other steps adults need to take are keeping emergency contact numbers up to date. Another step adults need to take is to keep medication list up to date. So it is best to plan and prepare to keep the children in your class safe. Take classes in first aid and CPR because knowledge saves lives.

References:

Robertson (2013-02-01). Safety, Nutrition and Health in Early Education (Page 178)

Robertson (2013-02-01). Safety, Nutrition and Health in Early Education (Page 182)