Paediatric first aid training is one of the many aid courses that companies can send their employees to.
It is practical for nursery staff, child carers, and those in a childcare setting.
In contrast with adult first aid, the EYFS framework sets the standard for what kind of training course awards a paediatric first-aid certificate. It also looks at which industries require suitable infant and child care.
Let’s go over what sort of first aid skills classify under paediatric first aid training. We’ll look at how those who complete this course are called to operate in a medical emergency.
What Is Paediatric First Aid?
When the Health and Safety Executive changed the instructions on what kind of first aid provision private companies were required to have, this paved the way for the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (EYFS).
Thanks to EYFS, the companies that primarily work with infants, children, and parents must have multiple paediatric first aid course graduates (in case one is on annual leave).
This type of first aid qualification is separate from a first aid at work course (which has a 3-day course duration) and an emergency first aid at work course.
It is most often utilised for the health and safety of children.
It is primarily for those in the childcare industry. It is designed to respond to emergencies involving a CHILD instead of first aid that caters to adults.
This course is designed to give those in occupations that cater to the youth the wisdom they need to activate themselves if required.
Parents and teachers who have received training in these courses are expected to have the confidence to deal with injuries, choking, and other child-threatening conditions.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Paediatric First Aider?
A person who has undergone training in paediatric first aid is called to save a child’s life if their life is threatened. They are given the guidance and ability to act quickly.
Here are the responsibilities the graduates of this first aid course are required to perform and know:
- Conduct primary survey
- Administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), baby resuscitation
- Place the unconscious casualties in the recovery position until emergency services arrive
- Handle and resupply the first aid kit
- Deal with head injuries
- Attend to choking victims
- Rapid response and medical assistance
Child first aiders have similar training to those who handle adult situations. They also conduct CPR and place children in the recovery position. The main difference is that most first aid courses teach aiders how to care for adults.
Biology and size play huge factors in why paediatric first aiders have a different training focus compared to adult first aiders.
Only those versed in this first aid training tend to have the temperament and specific ability to care for children in a medical emergency. They are meant to be the first responders until the ambulance arrives.
What Do You Do on a Paediatric First Aid Course?
A first aid course of this type will cover several emergency scenarios likely to involve a child. These include CPR, choking assistance, calling emergency services, and training to deal with panicking children.
Here are some main topics discussed during a child-centred first aid course.
- Assessment of injuries (scene security, patient response)
- Learn to deal with mild injuries (cuts, scrapes, bruises, 3rd-degree burns)
- Severe injuries (head trauma, broken bones)
A child is much more sensitive compared to adults. What may be necessary for adults could be damaging to children.
The amount of pressure you may put in adult CPR can completely crush a child’s lungs!
Aside from adjusting CPR to be appropriate for infants and toddlers, you are instructed on the common accidents that add to child death statistics in the UK. You are familiarised with everything that can happen to a child in your care.
In addition to child care, these courses include a short module on dealing with an unconscious adult, such as a coworker or visiting parent.
What Is the Difference Between First Aid and Paediatric First Aid?
The difference between paediatric first aid and a standard first aid course is that the paediatric version is meant to support children under the age of 16.
First aid at work, meanwhile, is meant to care for coworkers that are of age.
The main difference between both courses is WHO and WHICH environments they primarily cater to.
- Level 3 first aid is designed for high-risk workplaces like factories, forestry, and transport.
- Child-based first aid is primarily meant for low-risk yet accident-prone environments. Kids are fragile, suffering grave injuries from bad falls and slashes.
It is only possible to minimise accidents, not eliminate them. This means that child-based first aiders must have various lower-level skills, as children suffer plenty of minor injuries.
This is also why their training lasts 6-12 hours (1-2 days) compared to level 3 first aid’s 3-day in-depth training course. First aid for adults often entails more intense, life-threatening situations.
The two courses are generally different because of who they cater to, how long they take, and how in-depth treatment methods are. First aiders can undergo both pieces of training.
What Ages Does Paediatric First Aid Cover?
A Paediatric First Aid Course covers infants and children under 16-18. This contrasts with adult services, which are meant to serve as a risk response for those older than 16 years old.
The standard demographic encouraged to undergo this kind of first aid are personnel in teaching jobs, daycare, and child-minding services (usually women in their 20s-40s).
Young parents with children under the age of 10 are also highly encouraged to undergo this course, as most British parents are statistically incapable of providing the proper first aid for their children.
In general, anyone who frequently interacts with young people under 18 can benefit greatly from this kind of training course.
They will increase their chances of survival and recovery because of their knowledge and training. Management would be wise to send volunteers to these training units and fund and support them.
How Long Do Paediatric First Aid Certificates Last?
The more skilled you are, the longer your certification lasts. First aid certificates typically last around three years from certification. Since you are not training in automated electronic defibrillator (AED) use, you do not need to renew yearly.
When receiving a first-aid certificate, practising and honing your skills is crucial. When left unused, your abilities will expire long before your license!
You must go through your training materials in your spare time. You must continue to practice and familiarise yourself with your first aid equipment to help you stay sharp.
After three years, you may be required to renew your license and re-earn your certificate. It is best to welcome this opportunity to retrain, as it will allow you to keep your knowledge fresh.
Conclusion
Paediatric first aid training is vital for protecting children until emergency services arrive.
As such, it is separate from first aid at work courses and emergency first aid at work courses.
Teachers and parents who meet this first aid provision can feel confident in their skills. Thanks to these training courses, they have the knowledge that will allow them to increase safety in these high-risk environments!
