This week we have been learning the vital skills of first aid. These are skills we hope we will never need but ones that could help save a life. First aid is the immediate help we give someone who is injured or suddenly unwell before professional medical help arrives. Acting quickly and calmly can make all the difference.
We began by learning about emergency numbers, like 999 in the UK, and how to explain clearly what has happened and where we are.
We explored the DRABC process, a simple way to remember what to do in an emergency:
D – Danger: Check that it is safe before helping.
R – Response: Speak to the person and gently tap their shoulder to see if they respond.
A – Airway: Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.
B – Breathing: Listen and look for signs of breathing. If they are not breathing, we give 4 to 6 rescue breaths for a child or 2 to 3 for an adult.
C – Circulation: Look for signs of life and be ready to give chest compressions if needed.
We learned the importance of keeping calm and talking to the person throughout. This is called a primary survey.
If someone is not breathing, we must act fast. We practised giving chest compressions and rescue breaths, starting with five rescue breaths for children. We found out that the rhythm for CPR is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Compressions need to be strong and deep, about a third of the chest depth, with locked arms pushing down on the breastbone while the person lies flat on the floor. We reminded ourselves to work as a team and shout for help so that others can assist too.
We also learned how to spot when someone is choking, looking out for changes in skin colour, silent gasping and clutching at the throat. We practised giving up to five strong back blows, and if that did not work, we learned how to give abdominal thrusts, pushing upwards under the ribs to help remove the blockage.
Finally, we looked at burns. Burns are described by how serious they are, with third degree burns being the most severe. We learned to cool a burn under clean running water for at least 20 minutes and to reassess it afterwards. Sometimes we may need to cover a burn, but never with a bandage or plaster. Instead, we use something clean like clingfilm. We also discussed chemical burns, removing any contaminated clothing and seeking medical help straight away.
These first aid lessons have helped us to feel more confident and prepared to help in an emergency, whether for a friend, family member or a stranger in need.
