moving

First aid at home

I’m finding house hunting quite stressful. It feels like I’m scouring the internet daily to see if any new houses are on the market, often at the expense of giving the children my full attention. The other day I was on the phone to an estate agent when Little Sis began choking on a crisp. It was a horrible feeling. For some reason I stayed on the phone, carried on talking, but quickly picked up my coughing child and hit her hard on the back, dislodging the crisp. I could have cried with relief when she started coughing. The incident was soon forgotten, by her, but not by me.

When I worked at an NGO, I was fortunate to benefit from a 4 day First Aid course. I know what to do if anyone gets a fish hook in their finger. I can deal with burns and fractures, I might even attempt CPR in an emergency.

I never really believed I would have to use my first aid knowledge but I’m blooming glad I did that course. As a parent you have to be jack of all trades and master of none. I find myself thinly spread. There are always places to go for help for head injury advice, web pages on basic first aid, YouTube videos and of course forums, a parents’ best friend.

Fingers crossed I don’t have to administer first aid at home again. Both children are clumsy, like me, and I’m grateful they believe in the power of the magic mummy kiss for now!

vintage first aid box

8 Comments

  • Reply
    Alexandra
    January 25, 2013 at 11:03 am

    I did that course a few years ago and I feel like I need to repeat it, when you don’t have a need (luckily!) to practice it, it can go out of your head very quickly. Ah yeah, mamma’s kiss 😉 Real magic!

  • Reply
    Liz Burton
    January 29, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I did that First Aid At Work course years ago too. I was trained by a London paramedic and ex Forces guy so learnt some pretty unusual and improvised techniques!

    I also did a basic pediatrics first aid course through my Sure Start centre. I’d thoroughly recommend it. Lots of techniques are different for children and young babies and it gave me confidence should something happen.

    Glad she’s ok x

  • Reply
    MummyNeverSleeps
    January 29, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    Oh thank goodness she’s OK! Can’t be helped though sometimes, can it? I forever feel like I’m juggling and occasionally something slips… I’ve never done a first aid course, but I keep seeing leaflets at nursery and wondering whether I should… And I think I shall definitely do it! 🙂

  • Reply
    Mrs C
    January 29, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    First aid skills are so so important. Luckily both Mr C and I have managed on courses recently so at least feel that our skills should be quite up to date!

  • Reply
    Alexander Residence
    January 29, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Good reminder, I need to do that course again. So glad she is okay. Moving is so stressful isn’t it! Good Luck!

  • Reply
    Carolin
    January 29, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    I did these courses year after year when I was active as a life guard, but things change so quickly that I definitely have to brush up on my first aid skills. They are so important that you really shouldn’t let them gather dust x

  • Reply
    Donna @ Little Lilypad Co
    January 29, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    My OH recently purchased a First Aid box as he said “you never know” ….. and what happened? We needed it the very next day … thank goodness for caution! First Aid is really important in the home, we just never realise it until we need it!

  • Reply
    Emma @emvanstone
    January 29, 2013 at 8:10 pm

    I need to do a course again as well, I’m a bit rusty…I’m so glad Little Sis is ok, that must have been scary. xx

  • Leave a Reply