British Red Cross: Halloween First Aid for Choking
British Red Cross: Halloween First Aid for Choking
Have you got plans to celebrate Halloween this month? With little ones eager to get their hands on their share of sweet treats, the chance of choking becomes a real risk in childcare settings and at home. Share our handy first aid tips with your team and child carers to avoid any first aid frights this Halloween.
Helping a baby (less than one year old) who is choking:
1. Give up to five back blows: hold the baby face-down, supported along your thigh, with their head lower than their bottom. Hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades up to five times, checking the mouth between each back blow. If back blows do not dislodge the blockage, move on to step 2.
2. Give up to five chest thrusts: turn the baby over so they are facing upwards, lying on your thigh with their head supported but still lower than their bottom. Place two fingers in the middle of their chest just below the nipples. Push sharply downwards up to five times.
3. Call 999 (or get someone else to do it) if the blockage does not dislodge.
4. Continue with cycles of five back blows and five chest thrusts and follow the guidance of the 999 ambulance operator.
Helping a child (over one year old) who is choking:
1. Encourage them to try to cough. If they are unable to cough, give up to five back blows: hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades, checking the mouth between back blows. If back blows do not dislodge the object, move on to step 2.
2. Give up to five abdominal thrusts: hold the child around the waist placing your clenched fist above their navel; pull inwards and upwards above their belly button.
3. Call 999 (or get someone else to do it) if the blockage does not dislodge.
4. Continue with cycles of five back blows and five abdominal thrusts and follow the guidance of the 999 ambulance operator.
Paediatric first aid training with the British Red Cross
Our two-day EYFS-compliant paediatric first aid course is ideal for anyone who works with young children, such as nurseries or childminders.
British Red Cross First Aid App
Our free first aid app covers over 20 first aid skills using a simple and easy-to-learn approach. Share our free app with your team and families so you’ll always know what to do in an emergency.
Don't forget, if you're a Morton Michel policyholder, you can get a 10% discount on the British Red Cross' paediatric first aid courses via our exclusive ChildCare Club. Find out more.
Please note, the information in this article is provided by the British Red Cross and does not represent the views or opinions of Morton Michel.