Being a parent comes with many responsibilities. A parent’s primary instinct is to protect their child or any child they encounter that might need help.
Knowing how to give CPR can help save the life of your child or anybody else in need. Accidents can happen at any time, anywhere, and when least expected. CPR is a quick and effective method that can preserve breathing and help restore blood flow until medical personnel arrive.
You don’t need to have prior medical experience to perform CPR. Simple CPR training can make a huge difference in your life-saving abilities and confidence. You might feel more at ease knowing you can respond promptly in urgent situations once you learn how to perform CPR.
Below, we’ll talk about what CPR is, walk you through CPR for parents, and provide info on Tucson CPR classes.
What Is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a crucial life-saving procedure used to revive someone who’s lost their heartbeat or has stopped breathing. While waiting for medical assistance, bystander CPR includes steady chest compressions and sometimes rescue breathing (if the bystander has certification) to keep the body’s blood flow and oxygen supply going. When a person is experiencing a cardiac arrest, CPR may significantly boost their odds of surviving.
Everyone, especially parents, should learn this basic yet effective skill to be ready for unforeseen circumstances. Some of those circumstances include:
- Drowning
- Suffocation
- Poisoning
- Heart attack that’s led to cardiac arrest
The most effective CPR is performed as soon as possible, but one must first determine whether it is necessary. Don’t forget to dial 911 for emergency services before starting the procedure.
Why Learning CPR Is Crucial for Parents
Every parent is responsible for their child’s safety and welfare. Knowing how to perform CPR is meant not just for medical personnel but for every individual, especially parents. You might wonder why it is crucial for parents to know how to perform CPR and provide first AID.
First and most important, CPR can save lives. Immediate action might mean the difference between life and death in emergencies like cardiac arrest or drowning. By practicing CPR, you can buy valuable time until trained medical assistance arrives by maintaining blood circulation and supplying oxygen to crucial organs. The knowledge that you may be able to save your child’s life will give you power and comfort as a parent.
Another reason would be that children are naturally adventurous and curious. They often put themselves in dangerous positions and are not always aware of the possible consequences of their actions. CPR gives parents the knowledge and confidence they need to react quickly. Being trained in CPR enables parents to intervene immediately in cases of choking, near drowning, or even a possible cardiac arrest.
In addition, CPR training extends beyond one’s immediate family. Parents often find themselves in situations where they are in charge of watching other kids, like babysitting or keeping an eye on them during playdates. For those reasons, having CPR training means that parents are able to help not just their own children but also others who happen to be in their care.
It is crucial for parents to remember that when it comes to CPR, every second counts, and that second just might actually save a child’s life.
Basic CPR Steps Parents Should Take
When faced with a medical emergency, parents can take a few simple steps. Mind you – It is not required for parents to have proper CPR and a finished course to provide CPR in a dire situation. However, it is recommended to get certified just for your own peace of mind.
Now, let’s get started step-by-step with CPR for parents:
Recognize the Emergency
Understanding when CPR is required is the first step in performing it. Parents should look for signs like abnormal breathing, no pulse, or the child being unconscious. Making sure that the child is not responding is when the parent should proceed with performing CPR.
Call for Help
Once you’ve established that CPR is necessary, call emergency services right away, or urge someone else to do it. For the children’s survival, time is of the essence, and skilled medical aid is essential in this situation.
Start with Chest Compressions
Lay the child on a stable surface and kneel next to their shoulder. Before you start CPR, you must ensure that it is safe to begin with chest compressions. The depth should be about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) for children and infants, with a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
Continue Compression Cycles
Until medical support arrives, please remember to continue with CPR at a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths. What this means is that after 30 compressions, you should give your child two rescue breaths, each lasting about one second.
For parents, having a CPR certificate is highly important. When taking care of other children, parents should also be aware if any child has a medical condition.
What Parents Can Do for Better Skill Retention
Parents’ main goal is always to protect their children and ensure their safety. Therefore, having CPR training will give them peace of mind knowing they are prepared for emergency situations that might arise.
This is how you can make sure you’re always ready to help your child:
Take a Certified CPR Course
To be able to provide CPR more effectively, parents need to have gone through proper training and a course. These courses provide CPR techniques, hands-on practice, and visual simulations for a better grasp of the material. Getting the right knowledge on how to perform CPR can be obtained only through certified training.
Practice Often
Practicing regularly is important for parents, so they can refresh their memory, especially if they haven’t done CPR in a while. These exercises can be done at home while the kids are sleeping or playing, and it is an easy way to remember the proper steps and be ready for an emergency.
Check for Any New Developments
CPR guidelines and techniques change from time to time. For that reason, it is important to often check reliable sources, such as the American Heart Association or Red Cross, and be aware of any changes and updates.
Share Knowledge with Other Parents
Once you have finished your CPR training, as a parent, you could encourage other parents in your area to do the same. As more parents in your community become CPR qualified, your children will have more protection and faster assistance.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Besides having CPR knowledge, it is also important to always have a first aid kit nearby. You should always keep a list of emergency numbers as well, and if your child has any specific medical conditions or allergies, their medications must always be with you.
Get Your CPR Tucson Certification
Getting your CPR certification is an important step in preparing for emergencies. It equips you with the knowledge and abilities required to competently apply life-saving techniques. So, how can you, as a parent, obtain a CPR certificate?
The first step would be to find a reputable organization that offers courses certified and following the American Heart Association guidelines. When you are ready to start your CPR training, you can visit the AHA website or check training centers near you to go over their course catalog.
Once you have chosen the course, the next step would be to register and start your classes. This includes both theoretical teaching and practical training and covers the fundamentals of CPR, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Mind that if you choose an online course, you won’t be able to practice on a manikin.
Once the training is completed, you’ll be given a practical skills test and a written exam. If you pass the exam, you will receive your CPR Certificate. Usually, this is in the form of a CPR card that serves as proof that you have completed your CPR test successfully and have the proper knowledge.
However, you must remember that the CPR certificate is not valid for a lifetime and expires every two years, which means you’ll need to renew it.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, every parent should be skilled in providing CPR. By taking the time to learn and practice CPR techniques, parents can become confident as first responders and take immediate action when needed.
CPR for parents involves different steps than regular CPR for adults, such as a different positioning of the hands and depth of compressions. You can learn these differences best by taking a CPR course in Tucson from the AHA or Red Cross.
Finally, don’t forget to refresh your knowledge once in a while, just to ensure you’ve got each step of CPR down.