First aid: would you know what to do? Could you save a life?
It’s a question most of us would rather not have to answer — but an emergency can happen anywhere, at any time, and the person who needs help could be someone we love.
New research from St John Ambulance (which we touch upon in our radio report which you can hear again at the bottom of this page) has highlighted just how many people don't feel equipped to respond.
Almost one in four UK adults — around 13 million people — say they have never learned first aid. And when faced with a serious medical emergency, many people say they would panic.
The research has also highlighted significant gaps in knowledge about choking. St John Ambulance says only 42% of people knew how to respond correctly, while almost a third didn't realise that choking can become life-threatening within minutes.
And when the person needing help is a baby or child, many people feel particularly anxious about getting it wrong.
First Aid: 5 things every parent should know.
You don't need to be a medical professional to provide first aid. But knowing the basics — and having the confidence to act — can be incredibly important while you wait for professional help.
1. Know what to do if your child is choking. A child who is choking may be unable to breathe, speak or cough.
If they can cough effectively, encourage them to keep coughing.
If they cannot breathe, cough or make any noise, they need immediate help. St John Ambulance advises giving up to five back blows, checking the mouth after each one. If that doesn't clear the obstruction, give up to five abdominal thrustsand continue alternating the two until the obstruction clears or help arrives.
If the child becomes unresponsive, call 999 and start CPR if required.
For babies under one year, the technique is different: back blows are followed by chest thrusts rather than abdominal thrusts.
2. Know when CPR is needed. If a child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 and start CPR straight away.
St John Ambulance advises giving five initial rescue breaths, followed by 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths. If you have a helper, ask them to call 999 and find a defibrillator if one is available.
For a baby, the technique is different again, including the way the airway is opened and how chest compressions are performed.
Don't worry that you aren't an expert. The emergency call handler can talk you through what to do.
3. Know how to deal with severe bleeding. A serious bleed can be frightening, particularly when it involves a child.
The priority is to apply firm, direct pressure to the wound and call 999 for emergency help when the bleeding is severe or life-threatening.
If there is an object embedded in the wound, don't remove it. Apply pressure around it rather than directly on top of it.
4. Know what to do if your child becomes unresponsive. The first thing is to check whether the area is safe and whether the child responds to you.
If they are unresponsive but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and call 999, continuing to monitor their breathing and responsiveness.
If they are not breathing normally, this is an emergency: call 999 and start CPR.
5. Know what not to do. Sometimes first aid is about avoiding actions that could make things worse.
For example:
Perhaps the most important message is - first aid is something we can all learn. You don't need to become a paramedic. You need enough knowledge and confidence to recognise when something is seriously wrong, call for professional help and take appropriate action until that help arrives.
St John Ambulance offers specific First Aid Family Essentials sessions covering first aid for babies and children, including CPR, defibrillation, severe bleeding, choking and the primary survey. There is also extensive free first-aid advice available online - you can reach St John Ambulance via our links page
You may never need to use the skills you learn.
But if the day comes when you do, they could be among the most important skills you have ever acquired.
Listen to this weeks radio report
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
