The first scenario is snack time in a classroom. A 3 year old is eating grapes, when all of a sudden, she starts gagging and coughing. Present at the scene is a teacher and a teacher’s aide. The first step would be to remain calm, reassure the child she will be okay, teacher attempts abdominal thrusts, child coughs up grape. Notification should be given to parents of the incidence. Stay with child until parent/caregiver arrives. The second scenario is a 2 yr old little boy found in summer camp in a kiddie pool underwater face first, after a camp counselor went to answer the phone. Pull child out of water, give rescue breaths every 5 seconds, lay child on back on hard surface, begin chest compressions 30:2, place grasped hands between victims nipples, begin compression 1-1 ½”, give rescue breaths while pinching child’s nose and sealing entire mouth with yours. While doing compressions, alert other staff members to call 911, continue compressions/rescue breaths until help comes or the victim shows obvious signs of life or you are too tired. If an automatic external defibrillator is available, use it. After two cycles of CPR, the child starts crying and water spews from the mouth. Emergency personnel arrives at the scene and the parents are notified of the incident.
Advance planning for emergencies leads to sound decisions in a crisis.(Scholastic,n.d.). Staff, parents, children and community emergency personnel must coordinate their responses to an emergency. Families need to be informed of the emergency policy. Practicing emergency procedures role playing is key to doing what is necessary during a time of stress. CPR certification is done, including choking, every 2 years, to keep staff members, parents and first responders abreast of any new emergency procedures. CPR certification includes children, infant and adult techniques, so depending on what type of age group you cater to, the necessary skills will be taught.
The American Heart Association continually changes the steps in the CPR process. First aid kits should include emergency checklist and contact #’s for all children and workers. Instant ice packs, safety pins, gauze, bandage tape, ace bandages, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic would wipes, cortisone and antibiotic ointment are also in the kits. Practice drills should be given in case of fire or earthquakes. Children and teachers should be very familiar with the procedures. CPR instruction cards, hand sanitizer, charcoal for poisonings, micro shields for CPR, bacterial soap and rubber gloves in 2 different sizes should be available. (Robertson, 2010). Knowledge of and training in basic emergency response procedures are essential for teachers/caregivers. Poison control #’s should also be posted, 1-800- POISONS. Literature on burns, poisons, choking etc. can also be readily available for parents to educate themselves.
References
Hubpages. (2011). CPR for drowning victims. Hubpages. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved from http://www.andromeda10.hubpages.com/hubCPR-for-drowning-victims.
Robertson, C.(2010). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education. (4th ed.). Belmont, CA:Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
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