Working with children in a variety of education and care settings is a rewarding and challenging role. It also comes with the responsibility of caring for and protecting a number of children in your care. CPR in schools and any other settings is an essential skill for carers and teachers.
There are many situations in which you may need to use CPR in schools, after-school care, school holiday programs and more. Firstly, it’s important to recall what CPR does.
How can CPR save a child’s life?
CPR keeps oxygen traveling around a person’s body by creating artificial circulation, doing the job of the heart when the heart cannot in an unresponsive person. It is essential to keep the blood flowing to get oxygen to the brain to prevent the patient’s brain from suffering irreversible brain damage.
When would CPR in schools become necessary?
There are many situations in which it may become necessary to use CPR in settings with children. Many medical emergencies would call for its use and it could be potentially life-saving.
Here are some examples of when you might use CPR in schools or with children:
- Near drowning
- Smoke inhalation
- Accidents
- Anaphylactic reaction
- Suffocation
- Poisoning
- Any time a child is non-responsive
CPR is different for children
The way we perform CPR in schools and similar organisations does not involve the same techniques as when we perform CPR on adults.
As children and babies have smaller bodies, we adjust the style of chest compressions for babies under 1 and children aged between 1 and 8. This is a crucial part of your education around using CPR.
Get qualified in first aid
To gain the expertise you need to perform CPR on children or adults, first aid training is a must. Book in with Practical Outcomes and enjoy the simplicity of online pre-learning followed by a practical group workshop to apply your new skills.
What else you need to know about first aid?
Book the course if you are ready
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