Tessa the Duchess Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I need to do a first aid course. Had a very scary incident yesterday when my grandson choked on a piece of cake, he hoovered it down too quickly he turned bright red and couldn't breathe Instinct took over and I bashed him on the back and turned him upside down and finally he sprayed cake over the floor and took a breath I have decided I need to know how to cope with such emergencies. Does anybody know who runs first aid courses, I've looked at St. John's Ambulance but the nearest one is miles away from me. I would never have thought of doing this with my own kids, but looking after someone else's is such a responsibility. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Our village held one in the hall - run by the Red Cross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magamamma Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 i have just done a first aid course with st ohns and its really a great thing to do. i feel so confident that i could help in almost any situation now. St johns are thourough, clear and answered lots of questions and always had a simle. good luck with whatever you choose!! maggie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 ring your local primary care trust they should know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 The British Red Cross do various courses Tessa and they are briliant. There is one specifically for child carers too. It's amazing how much more confident you feel with one of these under your belt. I've held a certificate for the last 30 years and have used my knowledge on countless occasions - believe me, it is well worth it! Funny you should mention it... Rosie has just done IMPS at school (first aid as part of the curriculum) and I was teaching her some stuff this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Well done, Tessa, for knowing what to do even without training. It must have been a very scary moment. What a relief that he's OK. I did a St John's course years ago but wouldn't feel very confident that I could remember anything. I do have a First Aid Manual which is reassuring to have about the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I did a one day course when my ED was about 9mths old and could really do with doing another one. My YD once choked on a boiled sweet, she sort of half swallowed half inhaled it at my grandad's house and we had to turn her upside down etc, she eventually swallowed it and gasped a very scary incident Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Red Cross do first aid courses, they do different ones tailored to specific needs ie for those looking after children, first aid at work etc. I get my training paid for by my employer so I don't know how much it costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Well done, Tessa, for knowing what to do even without training. It must have been a very scary moment. What a relief that he's OK. That is the problem ANH I really didn't know what to do, I just did anything I could, and kept on thinking 'you must breathe, you must breathe' I need to know how to do that manouvre thingy when someone is choking, how to deal with burns etc., Funnily enough later the same day he managed to fall into the garden pond DH was standing 3" away from him and pulled him out immediately, luckily his head didn't go under, so now I also need to know about near drowning incidents He's at that age when he has no fear of anything Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, I am going to contact the Red Cross and see what they have to offer. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 The local colleges do courses - I do one every 3 years to update and there is a heimlich (sp) manouvre for choking but a different one for children and even more different for babies as they are so much easier to break bones etc. It is worth it - I have to do it for work and thankfully have not had to use it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I wanted to do a course when I was pregnant with DD1, and the Red Cross didn't have any classes scheduled around then, but they kindly put me in touch with one of their volunteers who taught the classes, and the lady invited me for a 'crash course' in her own home... she was an elderly lady and very kind, and it was lovely to get at least some basic training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 That sounds very frighening, Tessa - well done on following your instincts. You might want to distinguish between whether you want to get some First Aid training, to help you cope in an emergency, or whether you want to do a First Aid Certificate. The Certificate courses require several hours attendance with a test at the end - quite rightly, but as I recall from doing one several years ago, it was quite hard work! A 'carers' course, or even some informal training from a volunteer like Ziggy had, might be more what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 We had a similar incident with a boiled sweet a few years ago, it's really frightening. Stan survived but is still wary of 'hard sweets'. I held a St. John's certificate as a teenager and used my knowledge on more than one occasion. The training was excellent. I've just been offered a 6-hour course at work and jumped at the chance, although this one is provided by the LEA. The First Aid in the curriculum is being taught at my school too - the y10s are all accredited first aiders which I think is fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Olly, British Red Cross do both sorts of courses and evening ones too. The child carer one is brilliant. I recommended it to my sister, who is a squeamish, dizzy blonde, as my nephew is accident prone and always injuring himself (she invariably calls me up at work for advice ) she still hasn't been on it and he's always in and out of A&E! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Tessa it might be worth contacting your local Ambulance service as a lot of them offer first aid training as a sideline to their training of the paramedics. I've been a First Aid at Work examiner for a few years - there have been a fair few changes lately, so if anyone is out of date, might be worth looking into a refresher course. By the way Tessa - sounds like you did exactly the right thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 It seems to change every time I renew my training, Snowy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I'm a first aid trainer/assessor/examiner. look for a "Paediatric (emergency) first aid course". A 4 hour course aimed at people with responsibilities for children (infant - puberty) most independant first aid providers will cover this, usually for child minders/nannies about £20. I cover this course for Colleges. NCT, Nurseries, and groups of parents/grand parents/baby sitters. All the basics covered Basc life support "DRABC" Recovery Position Choking Treatment of Bleeding Fainting Burns & Scolds Recognising Meningitis Symptoms Choking Bend the child forward give 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand check the childs mouth if no improvement, give chest thrusts chest thrusts stand behind the child put both your arms round the childs waist put one fist on to the bottom of the childs breast bone grasp your fist with the other hand, pull sharply inwards & upwards 5 times repeat these steps until, the obstruction is cleared help arrives the child becomes unconscious if the child stops breathing attempt 5 rescue breaths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Wow thanks Clash CR. Very informative re: how to treat choking. I think I am sorted for a course, but it doesn't start until next month. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 that must have been really scary Tessa, thank goodness you acted promptly and your grandson is ok. I dont blame you for taking the course though, you never know when you might need it. Everyone should do one really shouldnt they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 I dont blame you for taking the course though, you never know when you might need it. Everyone should do one really shouldnt they? I really think they should. I know there are lots of nurses and teachers on this forum and presumably they already know how to act in an emergency, but for the rest of us....the problem is if something happens suddenly you just go into panic mode and may do exactly the thing you shouldn't do, whilst if you have been taught what to do, you have more control over the situation. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 There was a survey recently, and I don't remember the exact figures (CCR might), but the general gist was that if everyone learned basic first aid skills, then a vast number of deaths could be prevented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
