The first help that you give an unconscious or seriously ill child before professional aid arrives could ensure that the child reaches hospital in better shape, and even save a life. The most important principle of first aid for treating an unconscious child is to learn life-saving skills such as the ABC of resuscitation (Airway, Breathing, Circu- lation). This sequence aims to keep the vital organs receiving oxygen until medical assistance arrives.
How does the ABC sequence work?
In the event of a child losing consciousness or failing to breathe, the first step is to open the child's airway and check for breathing. If this seems evident, place the child in the recovery position (explained below) and call for help. If the child is not breathing you need to administer rescue breaths, as the air you exhale should provide enough oxygen to sustain the vital organs.
After two rescue breaths, check for signs that the blood is circulating.
Any movement, breathing or return of normal colour will be an indication of this. If there are no signs of circulation, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This is chest compressions coupled with rescue breaths. If the child is breathing and starts to show signs of recovery such as circulation, treat other problems in this order: bleeding, fractures, burns, and watch for signs of shock. Finally, treat other injuries.
ABC guide for young children
If the child appears unconscious, try to get a response by calling his name or gently tapping his shoulder. If you are on your own you will need to carry out rescue breaths and/or CPR (see below) for a minute before calling an ambulance. If someone is with you, ask them to call an ambulance after you have checked the breathing. Here's a checklist of what to do and the order in which to carry it out: 1 Open airway and check breathing
The head should be tipped back with your hand on the child's forehead. Next lift the chin and look, listen and feel for signs of breathing. If there is evidence of breathing, place the child in the recovery position.
2 Administer rescue breathing
In the absence of breath, pinch the child's nose and lift the chin. Then seal your lips over the mouth and blow steadily until the chest rises.
Next, remove your mouth and let the chest fall. Provide two of these breaths and do not have more than five attempts.
3 Check for signs of circulation
If there are signs of movement, breathing, coughing or normal colour, keep the rescue breaths going. Check again every minute, and if there are no signs of circulation, begin CPR (steps 4, 5 and 6).
4 Find breastbone position and give circulation Find the point on the child's chest where his ribs meet with the breastbone. Then place your middle finger on the bottom of the breastbone and your index finger on the bone just above it. Then slide the heel of the other hand down the breastbone until it reaches your two fingers and press down to one-third of the depth of the chest. This should be carried out five times in three seconds.
5 Administer rescue breaths
Pinch the child's nose, lift his chin and seal your lips over his mouth and give one rescue breath. Then repeat steps 4 and 5 for a minute in a cycle of five compressions to one rescue breath, until help arrives, the child takes a spontaneous breath, or you are too exhausted to carry on.
How does the recovery position work?
A child should only be placed in the recovery position if he is breathing.
This position prevents inhalation of fluids by allowing them to drain out of the child's mouth. Grasp the thigh furthest from you and roll the child over by pulling the bent leg towards you. As you roll, keep the child's hand held against his cheek.
Next, bend the child's top leg to form a right angle, and then move his bottom arm in a position that will prevent him from rolling forwards. Then tilt the head slightly backwards in order to keep his airway open.
* Please note: If you suspect that an unconscious child is suffering from a spine injury, do not move the child unless he is in immediate danger, the child's breathing is obstructed, or you must perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the child. Do not tilt the child's head to give rescue breaths. Instead, just lift the chin gently.
This is only a basic first aid guide. For information on first aid courses contact the Red Cross or St John's Ambulance in your local area. NW Researched by Marcella McEvoy
