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Jackie Southworth of SOVRIN Training looks at the provision of first aid training for child carers

First aid training for people working with children commonly known as paediatric first aid is something of a grey area within the UK training industry. There is no regulatory authority in the way the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) monitors first aid for the workplace, and contrary to what some may believe, first aid training for child carers does not fall within the remit of the HSE.

OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) and SureStart are the two main organisations with an interest in first aid training for people employed in the childcare sector.

OFSTED are the government inspection authority who report on and improve standards of achievement at all levels of pre-school and compulsory education. This role is carried out in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by departments of the relevant devolved administration and as a result there may be some minor differences, although the principles are basically the same.

SureStart operates in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and one of their major responsibilities is in the field of childcare. For this reason they have issued guidance regarding the minimum content of first aid training courses for childcarers.

The legislation covering persons wishing to register as childcarers requires them to hold an “appropriate first aid qualification”. In the best traditions of the people who draft our laws, they have gone on to clarify that an “appropriate first aid qualification” means a qualification in first aid appropriate for the treatment of children for whom early years provision is provided. Which makes everything a lot clearer!

Fortunately, for us, SureStart have issued guidelines as to what exactly should be included in a paediatric first aid course. The guidelines can be found on their website www.surestart.gov.uk . The opening paragraph of those guidelines states “Generalist first aid certificates that are the normal requirements for employers, although required in work settings, are not sufficient for working with young children and babies. For settings covering only 12-16 years olds an adult first aid certificate is appropriate.”

SureStart require training courses to last a minimum of 12 hours and be designed specifically for workers caring for children in the absence of their parents. It should lead to a certificate or a renewal certificate which must be renewed every 3 years. Resuscitation mannequins and other equipment used during the course should include baby and junior models as appropriate. Students should learn the requirements of reporting and recording of accidents and incidents, and be taught what first aid kits for use with babies and children should contain.

In order to fully comply with the guidelines, students should be taught how to recognise, treat and respond appropriately to ALL of the following in respect of babies and children: planning for and dealing with emergencies, resuscitation, shock, anaphylactic shock, electric shock, bleeding, burns and scalds, choking, suspected fractures, head, neck and back injuries, cases of poisoning, foreign bodies in the eye, ear and nose, eye injuries, bites and stings, the effects of extreme heat and cold, febrile convulsions, epilepsy, asthma, sickle cell, diabetes, meningitis and other serious sudden childhood illness.

It must be stressed that the above criteria is only compulsory if the client has an obligation to comply with the guidelines, although many education establishments choose courses complying with the guidelines as it now seen as a benchmark, especially when courses attract government funding. Some organisations may require QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) accredited paediatric courses and there are a number of organisations through which training providers can supply these courses.

Since the National Childminders Association (NCMA) and the Pre School Learning Alliance (PSLA) discontinued their first aid approval some years ago, there is now no nationally recognised approval scheme for paediatric first aid training.

It is important to realise that in a childcare organisation the requirement for staff to be trained in paediatric first aid to care for children, is in addition to any obligations under the Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Although a person having successfully completed a paediatric course would in all probability be acceptable as an “appointed person” for HSE requirements.

So, if as a trainer or training organisation you wish to deliver paediatric first aid training to your clients, ensure you comply with the guidelines, seek approval of your course from the local authority in the areas you work and think twice before paying money to any scheme claiming to be an approval body!

Sources:
OFSTED
SureStart

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by US Army Africa

First Aid Training

If you were to witness an accident would you know what to do? Even something minor like a trip down the stairs or a small burn with a kettle needs medical attention to prevent the situation from being worse than it is. If any of these ‘minor’  events happened to you or someone else would you know what to do? The truth is that if we think about it most of us don’t know what to do in a medical situation. No one is suggesting that we all become doctors but wouldn’t you like to think that if you witness an accident you could do something to help?

Most of us feel the same and many people that have been helpless when witnessing an accident have then gone on to get some type of first aid training. This is great of course, but would have been so much greater had they already been trained.

First aid training is essential in the work place and as a manager it is your responsibility to ensure that this happens. Of course you cannot be expected to train up all of your staff however you should try and ensure that you train enough people so that someone first aid trained is on hand for every shift.

First aid training covers a whole host of medical situations which means that whoever is trained can help in whatever situation. Now of course we all hope that we don’t witness something potentially tragic but if we do, our first aid training could be the difference between life and death.

People that are first aid trained tend to be calmer in emergency situations as they know what to do. So really having someone on hand that is first aid trained in your work place can help in so many ways.  So why not look at ways you can train up at least some of your staff, to benefit everyone’s safety. You never know when their skills could be called upon and just how helpful they could be. The cost of saving someone’s life is priceless and with affordable first aid training courses it is now well worth it!

Without oxygen being passed from the lungs to the blood stream and then pumped around the body by the heart a person will die. When a person suffers cardiac arrest their heart stops beating, they lose consciousness, they stop breathing, and blood will not circulate. Unless they receive prompt first aid attention until medical or ambulance help arrives they will suffer irreparable brain damage and die within minutes. This program looks at the technique for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on adults, in accordance with the current resuscitation guidelines. The program covers: •Basic Life Support (BLS) procedure •How to conduct CPR on an adult casualty •How to deliver Rescue Breaths •How to deliver chest compressions •How to use a Automated External Defibrillator (AED) •CPR with two rescuers •Rescuer health and hygiene The program is suitable for use in any workplace and has been designed specifically as a refresher course and training aid for people who have already been or are being trained in CPR. If you would like to preview the entire CPR DVD from us, please email us at Safetycare and we would be pleased to send you the full version for your to preview and assess.

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First aid training: Necessity of Everyone

Injuries and accidents are always unexpected and unpredictable; it is a necessity for each one us to learn about basic first aid techniques so that we are able to provide instant help to any casualty. There are certain relevant procedures that are to be followed at the time of any emergency. The main motive of first aid training includes saving life, forbidding further injury, promoting retrieval moreover, the training includes restraining initial injury, safety and treatment stages. However, people through their life experiences know basic things like use of adhesive bandage, or applying direct pressure to the injured part. To know about the prevention measures in a detailed manner there are several instructions and training that guide to tackle the situation in a positive manner. First aid course is provided with a certification after you complete the course successfully; leading community providers like Red Cross and many more are active in delivering effective training programs.

The history of first aid dates back to the eleventh century where the services were offered to knights, kings, injured soldiers and pilgrims, after that in 1870 the British red cross developed the concept more and till date it has developing the roots. Nowadays there are several safety learning training material online, it is recommended that while opting for these trainings repeat them several time so that you can have a strong impact. The online tutorials are usually short and concise, so make sure you are able to catch them strongly. Another important aspect of safety training is the Fire extinguisher course; they include all the information that relates to fire fighting, types of fire, theory of combustion and a lot more. At your workplace, you should be aware about the escape routes and evacuation areas, attending safety course is necessary so that you are well versed about the fire risks and its precautions. Another important training involves the CPR training courses, the cardiopulmonary resuscitation that is exclusively meant for treating people with heart disease, the method is a life saving skill that is essential in a life or death situation.

It does not matter where you are but opting for a certified first aid-training course should be on your utmost priority, having information about the basic precautions could save you from big disaster. Moreover, you can save the life of strangers or help at places where immediate medical facility is not available for a long time because of unfavourable conditions. These courses are available at minimal price range and serve worth, to learn about these medical aids and their training just browse via www.actionsforsurvival.com

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by US Army Africa

First Aid Training Courses

A medical profession isn’t about money always, it is about serving people. Many times you get to hear that lack of certain first aid (first aid training Adelaide, first aid Adelaide, first aid courses Adelaide) facilities, a life could not be saved. Accidents happen in our everyday life and many lose their life in those accidents. But do you know that many of those lives could be taken cared if they were given some basic first aid?

Knowledge of anything is never wasted. You never know when you need it. At that time you will be helpless and would regret that you should have done it. We don’t really understand the need and value of the first aid training. Doctors and hospitals can’t reach immediately to a patient, it takes some time. If any accident happens, the first step should be to give necessary first aid (first aid training Adelaide, first aid Adelaide, first aid courses Adelaide) by the people who are present at that moment.

Suppose a child has fallen from a long staircase in your neighborhood. You see him crying and rolling in blood and want to help him. You could help him a great deal only if you know what to do. With prior knowledge and training only, you could help that kid. It is always a wise idea to enroll you for any such course or training in first aid.

Apart from the basic injury first aid, there is also special first aid training for particular job or profession types. For example – you are on a eighteenth floor in your office and suddenly you hear of fire catch. If you don’t know what to do, you won’t be able to help yourself as well as others too.

Many companies and offices also arrange for first aid training (first aid training Adelaide, first aid Adelaide, first aid courses Adelaide) for its employees. Companies want their employees and workers to be prepared for any such situation. They also tell about various associated risks, illness and hazards.

If you think that these courses are much time consuming or involve a great deal of cost then you are wrong. You can find many short term training or courses (first aid training Adelaide, first aid Adelaide, first aid courses Adelaide). You can get these courses at a reasonable cost, offered by many organizations. Depending upon your course type, they will give you a diploma or a certificate in this course.

Everything is not done always for our own self, there are certain things we must do in order to help others. The satisfaction you will derive in doing so is unmatched. Helping someone in saving his life would give you an immense sense of contentment. And, of course it will bring you a lot of appreciation and words of praise.

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