As a parent, what you want more than anything else is to keep your children safe and healthy. But, do you actually know the skills you need to make that goal a reality?
Many parents are not as confident as they could be when it comes to treating injuries and responding to emergencies. If you’re in this same boat, keep reading.
Explained below are four of the most important first aid skills that every parent should have mastered.
1. CPR
It’s hard to think of your child not being able to breathe, but being able to restore breath is an essential skill for all parents.
There are a number of situations that can cause a child to stop breathing, from illness and physical trauma to choking and drowning. Basic CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can be used in all of these instances.
Taking a CPR class is the best way to learn, as you’ll be able to practice and get important feedback. But, if you can’t get to a class and still want to learn, these guidelines are a good place to start:
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Check for alertness by gently shaking, tapping, or asking loudly if they’re okay
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If they don’t respond, tell someone to call 911 — do not leave them alone
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Place them on their back and perform chest compressions — place the heel of your hand on their breastbone and place your other hand on their forehead to keep the head tilted back
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Press down on the chest — it should compress to ?-
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