'Bruise them, don't lose them': Paramedic shares confronting images as stern message to parents
By Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh |
A? former paramedic has issued a warning to parents to not be afraid of 'hurting their child' when performing first aid for choking.
"Bruises can heal, a child without oxygen for four minutes can't," Nikki Jurcutz from Tiny Hearts Education captioned a video showcasing the bruises that can come from performing powerful back blows.
The Melbourne-based first-aid educator ?revealed that one of the main concerns of parents in their courses is whether the back blows are 'too hard' for a baby to withstand.
"Saving your child's life is priority over a bruised back," she stated.
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In the video posted to the Tiny Hearts Education Instagram page, ?the paramedic answers a question posed by a follower in response to a video showcasing how to perform back blows on a child that is choking.
"Aren't those blows too hard? Babies are so fragile," the mum asks.
The paramedic then explained why it is important for back blows to be executed properly in order for them to be effective.
"I wanted to remind you?, if you are at the point of needing to use back blows, it means your child is not getting any oxygen into their lungs," she writes.
"Every second the object is left inside is another second without oxygen for your child."
She then shows a number of photos of babies who have had back blows performed on them and are left with some bruising on their backs.
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The confronting pictures were shared to encourage parents to jump into action and not second guess their first-aid training.
"The principle of 'life over limb' comes in," she explains. ?
The video, viewed by over 10,000 people, is being praised by parents who are grateful for the reminder to be confident in their first aid training.
"Whenever I did a first aid course they told me it was common to fracture ribs during CPR, but that will heal. Death will not," one person commented on the post.
Another said, "?We were taught CPR for children and babies as 'bruise them, don't lose them'."
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One mum also shared her experience with a bystander who called her out for performing first aid on her son in a cafe.
"An elderly lady stood up and literally said to me, 'Why did you hit him so hard it was uncalled for?' I was in such shock I didn't reply. I wish I educated her a little more."
While another shared her own terrifying but thankful experience: "My midwife apologised to me for causing bruising on my baby girl's chest after giving her CPR at birth. I thanked her for saving her life."
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What to do if your child starts choking
Here is a guide to choking from Tiny Hearts Education
Partial Obstruction:
If your child has an effective cough, use gravity and lean them forward. Encourage them to keep coughing. If the obstruction cannot be cleared you must call 000. If they lose their forceful cough use the next technique for a complete obstruction.
Complete Obstruction:
If your child does not have an effective cough you should:
Call 000. Place your child in a head down position จC infant (under 1 year old) across your lap and child (1 จC 8 years old) sitting or standing up Give up to five back blows using the heel of one hand, in between the shoulder blades. Short and sharp. Check the airway between each back blow to see if the obstruction has cleared.
If your child is still choking:
Give up to five chest thrusts using two fingers (one hand for a child), in the middle of the chest between the nipples. Short and sharp. Check the airway between each chest thrust to see if the obstruction has cleared.
If your child is still choking:
Alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts until the obstruction is cleared (checking the airway to see if it has cleared in between each back blow or chest thrust), paramedics arrive, or until they render unconscious. If they render unconscious you must start CPR.
Note: The obstruction may clear during CPR compressions. If this occurs roll your child on their side and clear the mouth of the foreign object.
To book a Baby and Child First Aid course go to Tiny Hearts Education or CPR Kids. ?
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