Cardiac arrest can happen anytime and anywhere, and from the numerous examples of it happening to children, teenagers, and even infants – it can happen to anyone as well. Some of the causes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest emergencies may be known and predicted, but others may not.
Being a CPR-trained parent may play a vital role in such situations, whether saving your child’s life or helping out in an emergency. Mastering the CPR techniques and knowledge will result in staying calm in these situations and help you provide the victim with the help they need.
Nevertheless, prioritizing your family’s safety always comes first. Hence, equipping yourself with life-saving skills will protect your loved ones from further consequences of cardiac arrest.
CPR Facts and Stats: Children Edition
Although the number of SCAs happening to children is much lower than in adults, there are still concerns about the younger generation experiencing OHCA.
As practice shows, children may experience sudden cardiac arrest no matter the environment or situation. Although help is needed immediately, 2023 statistics reveal that only 40.2% of OHCA victims receive bystander CPR. Thus, being CPR-trained is crucial when around someone who’s experiencing OHCA.
CPR Trained Parents in Jacksonville
It is enough for only one family member to possess life-saving skills for the whole family’s safety. Cardiac arrest may happen to anyone, whether it’s a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. As parents are the ones who spend most of their time with the children, being CPR-trained may prevent your loved one from experiencing the potentially severe consequences of an SCA.
In general, the steps for providing CPR vary slightly depending on the victim’s age and size. However, regardless of whether parents perform CPR on infants, children, or adults, staying calm will prevent any unexpected situation or movement.
Another important thing for parents while performing CPR is regularly checking if the victim is has become responsive. This might be a direction-changing moment when providing CPR on anyone – signalling if some of the steps need to be repeated or not, as well as if an AED device is needed in the CPR process.
CPR for Infants and Children
CPR performed on infants and children may be a demanding yet easy process if the parent has adequate life-saving skills. Being CPR-trained helps parents act calmly and the right way.
When it comes to a situation where an infant or baby needs to be helped this way, implementing the following suggestions will make the process a lot easier and safer for both the parent and the victim. The infant/child must be in a safe environment, where they can be laid down on the back, giving the parent enough space to kneel.
Performing CPR on Infants and babies includes giving heart compressions and rescue breaths, with a difference in the pressure number and deepness. Compressions are administered using the thumbs for infants, while when performing on children, it’s done using one hand.
If a cardiac arrest occurs in a teenager, the CPR techniques will depend on their age and size. There aren’t any particular steps when it comes to performing CPR on teenagers; they are either treated as children or adults. Therefore, if the victim is thin and not physically mature enough, the CPR performer should use only one hand while performing heart compressions. Otherwise, heart compressions could be safely given using both hands.
Common CPR Causes for Children
Everything around children grabs their attention, and their will to explore their surroundings raises the possibility of experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.
The most known common cause leading to children’s SCA is choking. It happens suddenly, within seconds, and if action is not taken immediately, the chances of having consequences and/or side effects.
There are several things you could do to prevent your child from choking. First, ensure their environment is safe, without any tiny objects or toys in their reach. Therefore, always choose age-appropriate and danger-free to several tips and tricks.
As food is one of the most common situations that lead children to choke, teach them not to speak or laugh while eating. Also, when giving your child any bigger or hard food, cut it into smaller pieces, enough for safe chewing and swallowing.
Another common reason for sudden cardiac arrests in children is drowning. Whether the child possesses advanced or common swimming skills, they always have to be under the care of an adult – parent, teacher, or coach.
Children may also experience CPR from any type of food or gas poisoning, injuries, head traumas, or suffocation.
CPR techniques can be taught to anyone, so it’s often advised to teach children the basics of CPR. Whether it’s a 4-year-old or a teenager, learning life-saving skills will prepare them for emergencies and also make them community-valued members of the Jacksonville community.
The Significance of a CPR-trained Parent
By obtaining CPR educational training, the individual would not only be prepared for protecting their own children but also for protecting the overall family’s safety, by being equipped with knowledge, skills, and techniques to immediately provide the victim with high-quality CPR.
Parents with CPR certificates also encourage and inspire their friends and fellow citizens to obtain these life-saving skills for the safety of their kids and families. They also enjoy greater respect in the community, often perceived as individuals anyone could rely on if any unexpected and life-dangerous situation occurs.
As individuals are conscious of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and all of its benefits, CPR-trained parents lead their children and families in gaining healthier habits and having a better, physically active life. They tend to be among the first in the communities to promote a healthier lifestyle for all fellow citizens, often followed by organizing and participating in various outdoor community activities. This way, they help tighten the community while promoting the significance of well-being.
CPR Classes for Parents
When looking to obtain a CPR Certification, study the different types of training and decide which would bring the best safety for you and your family: BLS, CPR, using an AED device, and First Aid skill sets. The CPR Training Programs also include rescue breath training, hands-on chest compression training, and how to perform CPR using AED devices for infants, children, and adults.
Another advantage is the opportunity to take group classes with special discounts, suitable for obtaining it with other family members, friends, colleagues, or even neighbors.
The approximate time for becoming CPR-certified is three hours, counting the time needed to learn theoretical and practical knowledge and maintain the exams and skill evaluation test.
A CPR certificate will make you a valid CPR provider for the next two years. Once the certificate validation expires, you’ll need to renew it by taking a CPR Renewal Class. This will also help you refresh your knowledge and improve your skills.
Protecting Your Family’s Safety – Wrapping Up
Hence, there are no rules when it comes to experiencing OHCA; being CPR Trained parent will increase your family’s safety. Not only will you be prepared to save your child’s life but also any adult’s life – your spouse’s, your parent’s, your neighborhood’s, or help a fellow citizen while experiencing OHCA, anywhere and anytime.
CPR Trained people are also more valued in the community for possessing life-saving skills that make everyone in their surroundings feel safer, and saving someone when a life-threatening situation occurs is the highest form of humanity.
So, take the right step and check out the next available training dates for attending CPR Classes or CPR + First Aid Classes in Jacksonville, and equip yourself with life-saving skills for infants, children, and adults.