5 First Aid Skills Every Parent Needs to Know

Parenthood is full of many bumps, bruises, and scrapes. Although we always try our best to protect our children from injury, accidents sometimes happen. The best thing we can do for our children is know how to react in those situation. Prepare now with these 5 First Aid Skills Every Parent Needs to Know.

5 First Aid Skills Every
Parent Needs to Know

*Please note, I’m not claiming to be an expert on first aid situations. These are nearly pointers to get you headed in the right direction. For questions, concern, and more information, please consult your healthcare provider. If an emergency occurs, call 911 and seek medical help. *

1. How to stop minor bleeding – It’s important to first apply direct pressure to the wound. After the bleeding is stopped, clean the area with warm water and mild soap. To reduce the risk of infection, apply an antibiotic ointment to the injury. However, do note, it’s important to seek immediate medical help if blood is spurting or can’t be stopped.

2. Minor head bump – If there is any minor scalp wound or bleeding, follow the instructions listed above. Keep an eye on your child for 2 hours and make sure they don’t exhibit any abnormal signs that may need a doctor’s attention. If your child is acting normally after 2 hours, treat their symptoms (Tylenol/Ibuprofen for a headache) and continue to watch your child for 24 hours after injury. As in all cases, call 911 if an emergency situation occurs.

3. How to splint a broken bone – When your child breaks a bone, it’s important to seek medical help. However, getting them to the doctor, it’s important that you stabilize their broken bone. Be sure not to straighten their broken bone. Keep things still and surround broken bone with soft padding. Splint broken bone with a sturdy object like a ruler (to keep from moving too much) and wrap tape around the splint to keep stationary. Make sure the splint isn’t too tight – you don’t want to cut off circulation.

4. Infant Choking Relief – Did you know that choking is a leading cause in unintentional deaths in infants? That’s why it’s important to make sure you know how to perform the Infant Choking Relief. Infant CPR Anytime is a great resource to teach you all the basics.

5. Infant CPR – There are a number of circumstances that may require infant CPR. Want to know the best way to learn infant CPR in only 20 minutes? Infant CPR Anytime.

As a mom, my children are my life. It sickens me to think of anything bad ever happening to my two little ones. That’s why it’s important to do our best to protect our kids. However, as much as we try to prevent emergency situations, unforeseen accidents still happen; that’s why it’s key to prepare for those situations.

Thankfully, the American Heart Association makes it possible for parents to prepare for those emergency situations with their Infant CPR Anytime personal training program. Using this program, anyone can learn in just 20 minutes how to relieve a choking infant and perform infant CPR. Perfect for new parents, grandparents, caregivers, and friends, this kit can be used at home or in large community settings.

Equipped with the Infant CPR Anytime DVD, Mini Baby CPR Manikin, Skills Reminder Card, and Manikin wipes (to clean the baby after use), this Infant CPR Anytime personal training program helps you learn vital skills to potentially save a child’s life.

Although I’m a nurse and keep up to date on my CPR, the American Heart Association Infant CPR Anytime personal training program helps me keep my skills refreshed and in the front of my mind.

I’ve also been able to use this program to help teach the neighborhood babysitters infant CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Best use of 20 minutes I’ve had in a long time. Such an quick, education, and important program! Not to mention, it gives me peace of mind knowing that I have to skills to potentially save my child’s life in case of an emergency.

Parenthood is full of many worries and uncertainty. The best way you can ease your mind is to be prepared! Be sure to visit the American Heart Association and pick up your own Infant CPR Anytime personal learning program.