FROM CHOKING TO CONCUSSION

CHOKING

If the airway is completely blocked, a choking baby or child may suffer a cardiac arrest and die before an ambulance arrives. But quick reactions can save their life.

SYMPTOMS

Coughing Difficulty breathing, talking or crying Red, puffy face

BABY

As your baby starts eating solid foods and playing with small objects, they may be at risk of choking. this advice will help you know what to do if a baby aged one or under chokes.

WHAT TO DO

Slap it out:

Lie the baby face down along your thigh and support their head.

Give up to five back blows between the shoulder blades, checking to see if there is anything in the baby’s mouth afterwards. Squeeze it out:

using two fingers, give up to five sharp chest thrusts on the lower part of the breastbone. Check the mouth afterwards.

Call 999/112 for emergency help, taking the baby with you to make the call.

repeat slapping and squeezing steps until help arrives. CHILD A CHOKING child may be able to clear a blocked airway by coughing. If they can’t, you will need to help them immediately.

WHAT TO DO

Ask if the victim is choking. If they can breathe, they may be able to clear their own throat — if not, they need help. Cough it out:

encourage them to cough and remove any obvious obstruction from their mouth. Slap it out:

Ask them to lean forwards, supporting their upper body with one hand.

with the heel of your hand, administer up to five sharp blows between their shoulder blades, checking to see if there’s anything in their mouth afterwards. Squeeze it out:

If the obstruction is still there, stand behind the child and put your arms around their waist.

Place one hand in a clenched fist between their belly button and the bottom of their chest.

with your other hand, grasp your fist and pull sharply in and upwards, up to five times. Check the mouth again afterwards.

If the obstruction has not been cleared, call 999 or 112 for emergency help.

repeat five back blows and five thrusts until help arrives.

If the person becomes unresponsive, prepare to start CPR (see box, right, for how to do this).

OBJECT IN THE EYE, EAR OR NOSE

FOREIGN objects such as grit, a loose eyelash, or sand that lie on the surface of the eye can easily be rinsed out, but sharp fragments like metal or glass may become embedded. If this happens, do not attempt to remove the fragment yourself but cover the eye and seek medical help as soon as possible.

SYMPTOMS: EYE

Pain in the eye or eyelid Redness, watering eyes Bloodshot or visible wound Blurred vision

WHAT TO DO: EYE

tell them not to rub the eye. Ask them to sit down facing a light. stand behind them and, with their head tilted back, gently open the eyelid with your thumbs. Inspect the eye by asking them to look up, down, left and right.

If there is something on the surface of the eye, wash it out by pouring clean water from the inner corner.

If this doesn’t work, remove the object with a moist piece of gauze.

If you still can’t remove it, seek medical advice.

WHAT TO DO: EAR OR NOSE

If you think a baby or child has an object in their ear or nose, take them to hospital straight away. Do not attempt to remove it yourself, as you could push it further in. keep the child calm. If there is an insect in their ear, support the child’s head with the affected ear facing upwards. Gently flood the ear with tepid water, which should allow the insect to float out. If that fails, seek medical advice. If you think the child or baby has ingested a button battery or pushed one up their nose or into their ear, dial 999 immediately, as these can cause chemical burns.

DISLOCATED JOINTS

the joints of babies and young children are delicate and can become dislocated if too much force is exerted on them. Dislocations can be serious.

SYMPTOMS

Pain Inability to move the joint Swelling, bruising or deformity

WHAT TO DO

try to keep your baby or young child still. Don’t try to replace the dislocated bone in its socket, as this can cause further injury. Immobilise the injury. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help or take them to hospital.

treat them for shock if necessary (see panel, above right)

while waiting for help to arrive, monitor their responsiveness.

FRACTURES

In An open fracture, the bone may pierce the skin; in a closed fracture, the skin is intact. Broken bones may cause internal bleeding and shock (see above).

SYMPTOMS

Deformity, unusual bend, swelling or bruising on limb Pain in moving Grating noise or sensation caused by the ends of the broken bones rubbing together

WHAT TO DO

Cover any wound with a sterile dressing or clean, non-fluffy cloth.

Apply pressure to the wound — but not to the protruding bone — to control any bleeding. secure with a dressing. Try to prevent the child from moving. stop the limb moving and place padding around it.

secure an arm fracture with a sling; a leg fracture with a broadfolded triangular bandage.

Call 999 or 112.

ANIMAL BITES

CHILDREN are naturally curious with animals, so they are prone to being bitten. Bites allow germs in, so you must prevent infection.

WHAT TO DO

Wash the wound thoroughly. raise and support the wound. Cover with a sterile dressing.

seek medical help if you are not sure the child has had a tetanus jab.

Call 999 or 112 straight away if there is a risk of rabies.