Section 3: CPR and Emergencies

                                           

  

Section 3:  CPR and Emergencies

             Erica Wilford

          Educ 1005

• Create two scenarios:  One in which a child is choking and another in which a child needs CPR. In each of your scenarios, include who is involved and where it is occurring (for example, a 5-year-old in a preschool setting has stopped breathing and is apparently choking on a piece of food).  Then outline the proper emergency procedures for dealing with each situation (see pages 179-180 in your text).

       The first scenario was on this particular day at work, an 11 months old pulled-up on the side of a crib and felt backward.  He felt so hard on the cement floor that he lost conscious.    Therefore, I checked the infant to see if he was responsive by “tapping and flicking the soles of his feet” (Robertson 2013, p. 181).” So, next I asked the teacher in the room with me to call 911.  I was alone, I would have attended to the child first and then call 911.

        After, checking and discovering that the child was not responding then I proceed to do CPR.  First thing, I did was held the child’s “forehead gentle pressure to keep the air way open” (Robertson 2013, p. 181).” Secondly, I used “two fingers on the breastbone directly between the infant’s nipples, compress the chest 30 times with a 1/3 to 1/2 depth of the chest at the rate of 30 times” (Robertson 2013, p. 181).” After, during CPR for two minutes the child was still unresponsive. Since I have my child CPR certification and the child was not responding, I did “30 more compressions, cover the baby’s entire mouth and gently breathe into the infant’s mouth and nose” and then his chest started to rise (Robertson 2013, p. 181).”  It is vital during CPR to make sure the person’s body is on a “firm, flat surface, and if, you are alone to attend to the person first then calling 911,” and to continue CPR until the person is responsive or 911 arrive (Robertson 2013, p. 181).”

        The second scenario was when I was working at a head start with four years old. The four year old was running, while eating a hard piece of candy. I first notice that the child stop running, place his hand on his throat, and collapse onto the floor.  I ran over to the child and begin to shake him, but he did not respond so, I called his name and he still did not respond.  So, I asked my assistant to call 911. After, realizing that the child was not conscious and child CPR certified, I began to perform CPR.  I made sure that the child was laying firm on the floor on his back before starting CPR.  I placed the “heel of my hand on the lower half of the child’s breastbone between the nipples” (Robertson 2013, p 182).” Then, I “push straight down about two inches and let the chest all the back up,” and “repeated 30 times, twice per second” with both hands (Robertson 2013, p. 182).”  Being license to perform CPR on a child, I resumed to give “two rescue breaths” and continued to do “five more groups of compressions” of CPR until helped arrived or the person respond (Robertson 2013, p. 182).”

•   Next, summarize why advance planning is often the best way to respond to prevent an emergency situation and the kinds of training (e.g., CPR or first aid training) you believe are needed in order or positively resolve such emergencies.

         It is vital to have your CPR and First Aid training while working with children and adults in case of a crisis.  CPR and First Aid can be used to save a person life.   Working in the early childhood fields requires that one caregiver at a work place must be trained in CPR.  It is also vital to keep a first aid kit in hand.  The first aid kit should include alcohol, “bandages, thermometer, antiseptic wipes, gauze, antibiotic, cold packs, gloves, duct tapes, and eye wash, charcoal suspension, and pads for eye injuries” (Robertson 2013, p. 178).” First aid can be used in case of mild incidents. “There are many minor emergencies, such as scraping a knee or bumping a head, which can be taken care of easily first aid” (Robertson 2013, p. 183).”  First Aid can be used to prevent farther injuries.  Teachers should always put her children’s safety first by keeping First Aid Kits present, up-to-date every month, and out of the reach of children.  It is important that early childhood teachers renew their First Aid certifications every two years in the state of Florida.

         CPR can be used for resuscitation. “Every teacher should be able to recognize the symptoms and be able to perform rescue breathing” (Robertson 2013, p. 180.”  Working in early childhood fields requires that one caregiver at each work place must be trained in CPR.   “All teachers should have training in basic first aid and rescue  breathing, and at least one teacher per site must be certified in CPR” (Robertson 2013, p. 180).”   It will be great if, all employees can be certified in CPR; in case the one that is certified is absent someone else will know what to do.  It will be great to post the steps of CPR on the board for a reminder of what to do.  It will also be great to have a refreshment class every six months at the work site.  It will train the teachers on how to respond fast and how to stay calm. Teachers in the state of Florida should have their CPR renewed every two years.

•   Finally, describe any other steps adults must take to ensure they are prepared to handle these kinds of crisis, including such information as first aid supplies, family emergency contact information and so on.

        It is important to keep small objects away from infants and toddlers to avoid choking.  It is also important to prevent infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from food that can cause choking as grapes, popcorn, small candy, and hot dog.  I can recall a toddler that passes away several years ago because of eating popcorn.  The mother did not know what to do, so she took her child to the emergency room.  The child died on the way to the emergency room.  I believe it will be great if, parents can be certified in CPR and First Aid, and maybe situation like this one would not have taking place.  I will encourage my student’s parents to be CPR and First Aid certified. 

        Teachers need to keep a telephone present and their children parent’s name with their phone numbers. “Emergency and contact numbers for all children and adults present” (Robertson 2013, p.178).” It is vital for teachers to post emergency information on the board as the fire department number, family children services number, health department number, hospital, and poison control. There should be a flash light and bottle water in every classroom and homes in case the light goes out.  An emergency back- up plan should be ready to take place in case a teacher has to depart.  “An updated and current list of backup helpers should be available in case teachers must accompany a child to the hospital, away from the early childhood environment” (Robertson 2013, p. 176).”  Fire drills at daycare and schools should take place once every month.  Tornado and lock-down drills should also take place once every three months.  Teachers should always take their classroom attendance with them during drills practices and call roll to make sure everyone is safety.

Reference

Robertson, C. (2013). Safety, Nutrition, & health in early education. (5th ed.).Belmont: Wadworth/Cengage Learning.