Section 3: CPR and Choking Emergencies

Scenario #1 Choking

     A 3 year old girl is playing with a toy when a small piece of the toy comes apart.  The child then

places the small part in her mouth.  The teacher notices the girl standing up and grabbing at her

throat.  She rushes to her and ask if she is alright.  The little girl continues grabbing at her throat and

is unable to talk and is beginning to turn red in the face.  The teacher yells to the assistant to call

911.  The teacher then moves behind the child and leans her forward slightly while holding her

across the chest with her forearm.  The teacher then uses the palm of her hand and between the

shoulder blades gives five hits to the back. The toy is still in the child’s throat so the teacher then

stands the child up and makes a fist and places it above the belly button.  She then places her other

hand on top of the first and pushes in and up five times.  Finally, the toy is expelled and the little girl

takes a deep breath and begins crying.  The EMT arrive and assesses the child and gives her the all

clear.  The teacher then calls the parent of the child to inform them of what happened and gives

them the option of picking the child up or allowing her to continue the day.

Scenario #2 CPR

     A 5 year old boy is playing on the playground when he suddenly collapses.  The teacher grabs the

first aid kit that she takes with her every time they go outside the classroom and runs to the child

and sees that he is unresponsive and yells to the assistant to call 911.  The teacher puts her ear to

the mouth and nose of the child and realizes he is not breathing. The teacher lays the child flat on

his back and opens his air way by slightly tilting his head back.  She grabs the barrier mask from the

first aid kit and places it on the child.  She then gives two quick breaths and watches the chest to see

if it rises, which it does. Then the teacher places the palm of her hand in the center of the chest

between the nipples and begins compressions.  She completes 30 compressions on the child and

gives 2 more quick breaths.  The child begins to cough and move.  At this time the EMT unit arrives

and takes over.  The child is taken to the hospital and the teacher immediately calls the parents. 

     Advance planning is key to a greater outcome of an emergency situation then no preparation at

all.  When you and others are prepared for emergencies and have the knowledge and tools to face

whatever situation that may.  I’ve been in situations where I have been the only one who has

training to handle emergencies and it can be very frustrating.  We were at a family event and my

uncle cut his hand pretty bad on a knife.  The chaos that happened from those who didn’t know

what to do was just overwhelming.  I started first aid procedures on him but had to constantly tell

others to step back and calm down.  And had to ask repeatedly for someone to call 911.  The

situation could have been a lot worse if someone hadn’t known what to do. 

     Taking first aid, CPR, and other emergency training courses are vital so the person in need can

not only be giving immediate care but also to help the person performing these lifesaving

maneuvers the skills and confidence to perform them.  When a person has had training they are less

likely to lose their composure which would lead them unable to help the person in need.  Training

and education gives a person all they need to help in a life and death situation.  Knowing what steps

to take and procedures to perform can give the person in need a greater chance of survival.

   Along with trainings, being prepared in other ways are also very important.  Having first aid kits in

one way you can be prepared.  Along with the normal things like bandages and tape, having things

such as CPR face barriers is essential so that you are ready to not only help someone in need but to

also protect yourself.  Also, having an emergency kit can be a lifesaving tool in many cases.  Being

prepared for emergencies and all that come with it.  Having emergency contact information posted

and making sure everyone knows where it is also can save lives.  Numbers such as ambulance, fire,

and poison control are very important to have posted.  As an early childhood professional, I would

also encourage parents and family members to take a first aid and CPR class.  I would even go so far

as to arrange for one to be taught in the classroom and invite them all to attend.  Making parents

and family aware of the importance of these life saving techniques is something that can one day

save the life of their child or loved one.