First Aid - you'd be amazed what a 5yo can do

[hoggie]

Well last night we took the Rainbows (5-7yos) and Guides (10-14yos) to the Ambulance station for CPR training. The Guides are currently working towards their First Aid badge and the Rainbows are doing a regular First Aid slot in iour sessions.

Well - the Rainbows were amazing!!! I must admit that I raised my eyebrows somewhat when my helper (who is a St. John trainer) said that they were going to do CPR. They had the dummy set up in "child" mode so that it simulated doing CPR on another child rather than an adult. Every one of the 8 girls managed to get into the green zone in the heart compressions and they all managed to get "some" air in in the rescue breaths. I have to say I was stunned by just how well they did, and we will be repeating this training.

The guides also did very well, with all of them managing to achieve "effective" compressions and breaths.

If you get a chance for your kids to learn this, take the opportunity - they CAN do it and the more people that are trained to do this the better

hoggie

[suzyhomemaker09]

Not to be off colour...All that comes to mind is " Annie are you OK ? "
Our local Preschool did CPR classes at one point.

[mwhit]

I'd just like to add that the guidelines have recently been changed here in the US-- chest compressions only is just as effective as CPR with rescue breathing for adults (unless they are the vicitm of near drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning or other oxygen depleting accident). I think they still recommend compressions/breathing for small children though.

Michelle

[hoggie]

Yep - still need the breaths for kids and drowning, so the combined compressions and breaths are taught, but you are also told that it isn't absolutely essential to give the breaths.

hoggie