Basic medical tips that can save a child’s life

Safety training for children starts early; from the day we stop a small child from reaching for the stove or climbing furniture. Here are a few small steps for pre-teen kids that are easy to teach for you, and easy to remember for kids.  

Help your youngster use a first aid kit 

You can assemble a kit from any online list or order an assembled kit. Go over the contents with your child, explaining each item and its purpose. Next, fake a scenario without warning, and have your children handle the items. It’s important that kids understand how medicines, gauze, band-aid work, how to check temperature by using the thermometer, and what thermometer readings indicate. In the background of COVID 19, first aid training includes checking oxygen concentration (through a pulse oximeter) and blood pressure using an automatic electronic BP machine.  

Teach kids to control bleeding 

Teach your children how to clean a wound (only after cleaning their own hands), apply direct pressure to a wound by covering it with a gauze pad, paper towel or any clean, and spray or apply medication that arrests bleeding. Applying band aid or tying a bandage would depend on the size and depth of the wound or where it is located. Tell them about the importance of Tetanus vaccine and Rabies vaccine. Show them where veins are located at wrists and elbows, and why bleeding may not stop quickly from a deep cut there. Most importantly, teach them to get help without delay.   

Help them handle broken bones

Explain a fracture, a dislocation, hairline crack, sprain and ligament / muscle tear to kids. If you are unsure, look up the internet before explaining. Explain that bones are living things with blood supply and nerves; this will help them understand haemorrhage. Broken bones are serious matters and very painful, so they must alert anyone nearby to get immediate help. While waiting, they ought to drink small quantities of water to prevent dehydration, and try to eat a biscuit or anything small if they are hungry. They also need to remain calm. These two factors are important to prevent trauma and prepare the body for oncoming procedures.