First aid for children – accidents and emergency help

Most days in an institution go without serious accidents. But because you work with children who cannot yet assess hazards or react appropriately, it is part of professionalism to be able to act calmly and correctly if something serious happens.

The education to pedagogical assistant includes certificates in first aid and fire suppression as a permanent part of basic course teaching. This is not accidental—as a pedagogical staff member, you are often the one present when an accident occurs, and the one who must act while additional help is called.

• 01Assess whether the child can cough on their own – let them try before you intervene.
• 02If the child cannot cough, speak or breathe, back blows are given between the shoulder blades.
• 03In infants, the child is placed face-down on your forearm, with the head lower than the body, while you give back blows.
• 04If back blows don't work older children can be supplemented with Heimlich-like thrusts and infants with chest thrusts with two fingers.
• 05Keep switching between the techniques until the object comes out or professional help takes over.

Cardiac arrest in children is typically caused by oxygen deprivation as a result of an accident, in contrast to adults where it is often heart disease. Therefore the procedure is slightly different: you start with five rescue breaths before moving on to the familiar pattern of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths, which is repeated until professional help takes over or the child responds.

The best acute help is the one that never becomes necessary. Watch for small objects, magnets and batteries that young children can put in their mouths, ensure supervision at mealtimes and play, and know your workplace's emergency preparedness – where the first aid kit is, who has a valid certificate, and how alerts are triggered.

“Calm, overview and knowledge of the right techniques can make the crucial difference while help is on the way.”