First Aid for children

• DRSABCD


  A general approach to managing any emergency situation
• DRSABCD steps


  1. Danger: Ensure the area is safe

  2. Response: Check for responsiveness

  3. Send for help: Call emergency services

  4. Airway: Ensure the child's airway is clear and open

  5. Breathing: Check if the child is breathing normally

  6. CPR: Start CPR if necessary

  7. Defibrillation: Use an AED if available and trained
• Stay Calm


  • Children can pick up on panic, so try to remain calm to reassure them and maintain control of the situation
• Stay Safe


  • Always ensure your own safety before assisting a child
• Get Help


  • Don't hesitate to call emergency services if you are unsure of what to do or if the situation seems serious
• Anaphylaxis


  Severe allergic reaction
• Anaphylaxis first aid


  1. Immediately inject epinephrine (adrenaline) using an auto-injector if available

  2. Call emergency services (000) even after injecting epinephrine

  3. Lay the person flat and elevate their legs if they are breathing

  4. Provide additional epinephrine injections every 5-15 minutes if symptoms persist
• Falls and Concussion/Head Injuries

  Injuries to the head
• First aid for falls and head injuries

  1. Check for responsiveness, breathing, and severe bleeding

  2. Call emergency services if unconscious, confused, vomiting, or severe headache

  3. Keep the person still and do not move them unless in danger

  4. Apply firm pressure to any bleeding head wounds

  5. Monitor for signs of concussion: headache, dizziness, confusion
• Choking


  Obstruction of the airway
• First aid for choking

  1. Encourage coughing to clear obstruction

  2. For severe choking (inability to cough, breathe or speak): Give 5 back blows between shoulder blades with heel of hand, If not cleared, give 5 back blows

  3. Call emergency services if person becomes unconscious
• First aid for burns

  1. Cool the burn with cool running water for 20 minutes

  2. Remove clothing/jewelry unless stuck to burn

  3. Cover with cling film or clean dressing

  4. Call emergency services for severe/widespread burns

  5. For chemical burns, brush off dry chemicals and flush with water for 20 mins
• DRSABCD

  Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, and Defibrillation
• DRSABCD is important in first aid as it provides a systematic approach to assessing and responding to an emergency situation
• Recovery position


  Placing an unconscious, breathing person on their side to keep their airway clear and prevent choking on vomit
• The recovery position should be used when a person is unconscious but breathing, and there are no suspected spinal injuries
• CPR for different age groups

  Variations in the depth and rate of chest compressions, as well as the method of delivering rescue breaths
• Child CPR


  Use one hand for chest compressions and provide shallower compressions compared to those for adults
• Rice

  Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, an acronym for the four key steps recommended for treating minor soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and bruises