Description
Pediatric first aid is the initial medical care provided to a child who is injured or suddenly becomes sick. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to injury due to their size, immature development, natural curiosity, and inexperience. Additionally, young children’s immune systems are still developing, making them less resistant to infection than older children and adults. As a result, children commonly experience injuries and medical emergencies. In fact, approximately 30 million pediatric emergency department visits occur in the United States each year. Because medical emergencies and injuries can happen anywhere, knowing how to respond when an emergency happens ensures the best possible outcome.
This course will prepare anyone who cares for children to recognize everyday medical emergencies and care for an injury or illness until professional help arrives.
The American Academy of Pediatrics developed this course for individuals who are not healthcare providers or professional rescuers but are caregivers with a duty to provide pediatric first aid and emergency responses.
Caregivers include parents, grandparents, guardians, family, friends, babysitters, school personnel (i.e., teachers, bus drivers, coaches), seasonal leaders (i.e., camp counselors, lifeguards, youth group leaders), and anyone else working with infants and children (i.e., foster care workers, social workers).
This course consists of 6 units and will prepare the target audience to recognize everyday medical emergencies and care for an injury or illness until professional help arrives.
Expect to spend approximately 1 hour to complete each unit. If you exit prior to completion, your place will be bookmarked to continue where you left off once you return to the content.
Upon completion of Unit 1, you will be able to
- Assess and manage first aid emergencies.
- Administer mental health first aid.
- Capture and interpret vital signs.
- Effectively communicate with emergency responders.
- Build and maintain a first aid kit.
Upon completion of Unit 2, you will be able to
- Identify how germs are spread.
- Take action to help prevent the spread of germs.
- Effectively recognize and address injuries and illnesses.
- Develop an understanding of disaster planning.
Upon completion of Unit 3, you will be able to
- Identify and manage common pediatric medical emergencies.
- Implement prevention strategies to avoid pediatric medical emergencies.
- Determine when and how to seek medical attention.
- Assess symptoms and determine the appropriate intervention
- Administer emergency medications and provide specialized care.
Upon completion of Unit 4, you will be able to
- Identify and manage common pediatric injuries.
- Implement prevention strategies to avoid pediatric injuries.
- Interpret signs and symptoms indicative of pediatric injuries.
- Apply appropriate first aid techniques to treat pediatric injuries.
- Determine appropriate prevention strategies for common pediatric injuries.
Upon completion of Unit 5, you will be able to
- Identify actions that can be performed to improve survival in an emergency.
- Utilize first aid equipment in timely and informed ways.
- Apply child-specific procedures of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Recognize and facilitate the proper use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
- Develop proficiency administering emergency medications.
Upon completion of Unit 6, you will be able to
- Identify strategies used by school health services to encourage wellness.
- Discuss a school’s role in the mental health care of children.
- Advocate for community partnerships that support behavioral health in schools.
- Implement positive behavioral interventions.
