The Importance of Teaching Your Kids First Aid

by Dr. Mary Williams, R.N. D.C.

Kids have many things to learn when growing up, both from parents and their teachers at school. Math, reading, and much more are all very important for young minds to know about. However, parents often overlook something that can be just as vital: first aid. Of course, we never want to imagine kids sick or in danger, but when they know how to handle emergency situations, they can keep themselves safe and help others, too.

Q: How soon should you start teaching children about first aid?

A: Studies have shown that kids as young as four years of age are able to understand and apply basic medical aid concepts in a classroom setting. Kids should start by understanding what first aid is. Once they grasp the basics, parents can think about the best ways to teach them more. There are many tip sheets that can help you reinforce skills. Of course, it may take a bit more age and experience before a child is ready to use these in real life. The earlier you start, however, the more comfortable the child will become with basic medical aid. There are many different approaches for teaching the core skills depending on the child's age.

Q: What should kids know about cuts, scrapes, and other common childhood injuries?

A: Every child will encounter an injury like this once in a while. The ability to correctly clean and bandage a wound using the materials from a medical kit can be very helpful in protecting the average active child from infection. A trusted adult should demonstrate what to do to clean wounds, stanch bleeding, and use bandages, and kids should be taught safety tips for avoiding injury. Remember that kids can get nervous about dealing with bleeding!

Q: What can adults teach kids about choking, and why is choking knowledge important?

A: Choking is a concern for kids from a very early age. Many toys have small parts that can be a choking hazard. Although the danger is lessened by the time a child is in kindergarten, it is sometimes hard for young people to recognize when someone is actually choking. Understanding the Heimlich maneuver can help in real choking situations, and knowing what choking actually looks like can prevent the child from acting at the wrong time.

Q: Is it safe to teach kids about CPR?

A: CPR is a more advanced skill but something that can be learned by the time a child is in middle school. Of course, a child should not perform CPR if an older person with more training is also present. However, it's still an important skill to know, especially for kids who live near the water or who have community pools. People of all ages can start to drown in a very small amount of water. In many cases, immediate help can save lives.

Q: What kind of important first aid skill should kids know that adults might not think about?

A: These days, many children are friends with others who can experience intermittent symptoms such as fainting, seizures, or allergic reactions. Seeing something like this can be scary, so the first thing for kids to know is that having a health condition like this does not change who a person is. Second, they should know how to react in a seizure emergency or allergic emergency.

Q: What kind of situations should kids be taught to be especially wary of?

A: Kids should understand that there are situations they simply can't handle on their own. Although it's often most effective to teach medical emergency skills as a game or activity, it's also vital that kids learn how serious the topic is. In the event someone they know has swallowed poison, been bitten by an animal (whether known or strange) or been burned, the best course is to contact an adult. That includes being able to call 911 if necessary. There are many emergency situations at home kids should recognize and be cautious of to minimize injury risk. If kids can spot the early warning signs of trouble, they may avoid harm completely.

First aid is a topic that isn't usually talked about in school. It is assumed that if someone is hurt or sick, they will be able to get to an adult right away. However, this isn't always the case, especially in the critical years when children start to be trusted alone in the home for the first time. For smaller situations, children can gain confidence by mastering basic first aid skills. You never know when they might come in handy!