CPR and Choking Emergencies

Section 3: CPR and Choking Emergencies

When a child has been burned, has ingested poison, or is choking on a piece of food, you may be the person who can save that child's life. The plans and preparation you and your colleagues have in place can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation. In fact, anyone who is licensed or trained to work with young children should have the knowledge and capabilities for providing emergency care at a moment's notice.

For this section of your course project:  Create two scenarios: one in which a child is choking and another in which a child needs CPR. In each of your scenarios, include who is involved and where it is occurring (for example, a 5-year-old in a preschool setting has stopped breathing and is apparently choking on a piece of food). Then outline the proper emergency procedures for dealing with each situation (see pages 179–180 in your text).  Next, summarize why advance planning is often the best way to respond to or prevent an emergency situation and the kinds of training (e.g., CPR or first aid training) you believe are needed in order to prevent or positively resolve such emergencies.  Finally, describe any other steps adults must take to ensure they are prepared to handle these kinds of crises, including such information as first aid supplies, family emergency contact information, and so on.

Scenario One: 

Create two scenarios: one in which a child is choking and another in which a child needs CPR. In each of your scenarios, include who is involved and where it is occurring (for example, a 5-year-old in a preschool setting has stopped breathing and is apparently choking on a piece of food).

A 2-year old young boy is playing with his classmates within their daycare classroom.  He has stopped breathing and is choking on a small toy he put into his mouth. 

Then outline the proper emergency procedures for dealing with each situation (see pages 179–180 in your text).  

1. Remain calm and attempt to keep the scene calm.  Stay with the child, do not leave them.  Assign the other teacher within the room to keep the other children clam and away from the choking child.
2.  Assess the child from head-to-toe.
3. Perform the Heimlich Maneuver as previously taught in your CPR and First Aid training.
4. Once item is dislodged, assess the child again.  If necessary, contact 911.
5. Notify parents and agree on a plan of action.
6. Stay with the child until the parents or emergency personal arrive.

Next, summarize why advance planning is often the best way to respond to or prevent an emergency situation and the kinds of training (e.g., CPR or first aid training) you believe are needed in order to prevent or positively resolve such emergencies.  

It is best to have a plan for emergency situations such as the one above.  All teachers within a childcare setting should be CPR and First Aide certified that way they can help the children immediately instead of waiting for help.  It is also a good idea to make sure there are no small pieces within hands reach of small children.  These pieces can be swallowed and lodged within the throat. 

Finally, describe any other steps adults must take to ensure they are prepared to handle these kinds of crises, including such information as first aid supplies, family emergency contact information, and so on.

In a childcare setting is it best to make sure you have a first aid kit readily available for us.  Emergency phone numbers should be listed next to the nearest phone.  Important phone numbers for the children need to be listed in a place which is easily accessible in an emergency. 

Scenario Two: 

Create two scenarios: one in which a child is choking and another in which a child needs CPR. In each of your scenarios, include who is involved and where it is occurring (for example, a 5-year-old in a preschool setting has stopped breathing and is apparently choking on a piece of food).

A four-year old little girl on a preschool playground slid off the end of the sliding board and hit the back of her head on the end of the slide and then the hard ground.  The little girl is laying on the ground unconscious and not breathing.

Then outline the proper emergency procedures for dealing with each situation (see pages 179–180 in your text).  

1. Remain calm and attempt to keep the scene calm.  Stay with the child, do not leave them.  Assign the other teacher within the room to keep the other children clam and away from the choking child.  Be sure that someone call’s 9-1-1.
2.  Assess the child from head-to-toe.
3. Perform CPR as previously taught in your CPR and First Aid training.
4. Stop CPR if emergency personal arrive if the child becomes conscious.
5. Notify parents and agree on a plan of action.
6. Stay with the child until the parents or emergency personal arrive.

Next, summarize why advance planning is often the best way to respond to or prevent an emergency situation and the kinds of training (e.g., CPR or first aid training) you believe are needed in order to prevent or positively resolve such emergencies.  

It is best to have a plan for emergency situations such as the one above.  All teachers within a childcare setting should be CPR and First Aide certified that way they can help the children immediately instead of waiting for help. 

During outside or playground time, it is a god idea to have staff keeping a close eye on the children while they are playing.    Some accidents happen but it will help if the teachers are always monitoring them.

Finally, describe any other steps adults must take to ensure they are prepared to handle these kinds of crises, including such information as first aid supplies, family emergency contact information, and so on.

In a childcare setting is it best to make sure you have a first aid kit readily available for us.  Emergency phone numbers should be listed next to the nearest phone.  Important phone numbers for the children need to be listed in a place which is easily accessible in an emergency.  An emergency action plan should be set up for scenarios like the one above, this way everyone knows their role in an emergency and nothing is forgotten.