MINI FIRST AID – REVIEW

Would you know what to do if your child started choking? How about if a child in your care was unconscious? Would you be able to spot the signs of meningitis or septicaemia?

Anybody who knows me will know that I’m not great when it comes to all things medical. Growing up I could regularly be found in the medical room at school, usually having fainted in a science lesson. Needles were my main nemesis, but anything could set me off. A boy in my class once just told a story of breaking his arm, no photos involved, and I soon found myself coming round on the classroom floor, much to the horror of the person sitting next to me, whom I had passed out onto.

Thankfully, becoming a pincushion during pregnancy seems to have made me a little less squeamish, and a little better at staying upright. The only thing that I took issue to during labour was having a cannula in. I’d be lying if I said I managed to stay completely conscious for that one.

All that being said, you can probably imagine that the thought of doing a first aid course doesn’t bring me much joy. I did an emergency first aid at work course a couple of years ago, and definitely felt the blood rushing from my head at a few points, but I made it through the day-long course and got my certificate. I’m pleased to report that I only ever had to use my skills once when someone got a paper cut…

So when my friend, who has a Pickle one week younger than mine, told me that she was taking an evening ‘Mini First Aid’ course I was in two minds about whether to attend. How different could it be to adult first aid anyway? However on the day of the course I decided that it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea, so phoned up to try and book a place. If I’m completely honest a small part of me hoped there wouldn’t be any spaces. It would just be one of those things where I tried to do the responsible thing but it just didn’t work out. Far from it being too late in the day, the lady on the phone was very accommodating, and assured me that there was a space for me.

‘The lady on the phone’ turned out to be Gail, who covers Durham and the (wide-reaching) surrounding areas for Mini First Aid , and she was lovely! Throughout the course she was clear, informative, engaging and friendly, and I certainly felt at ease.

The lovely Gail with her daughter

Although only two hours long, the course covered several areas: choking, CPR, dealing with burns, breaks, bumps and bleeding, febrile seizures, and meningitis awareness. For many of these areas there were different directions for dealing with babies to dealing with children. It may seem like a long list for a short amount of time, but there was plenty of information on each topic, and it was concisely delivered to make the most of the two hours.

Gail made use of dummies to demonstrate CPR and how to treat choking. There was opportunity for those of us taking part in the course to practise on the dummies, but equally there was no pressure to do so, and there was no awkwardness around this. There was definitely some fun to be had forcing nerf pellets out of an imitation oesophagus using the Heimlich Manoeuvre. Small work books were also provided, and Gail often made reference to these. From time to time she gently asked questions to recap what had been discussed, and the whole course catered excellently to all different learning styles.

Demonstrating techniques on a dummy

Perhaps one of the best things about the course was that I was able to take Pickle with me. We’re still at a point where it’s not always possible to leave her with someone, so to be able to bring her along was great. Gail made it very clear from the start that the babies were very welcome and that we should feel free to do anything we needed to do, be that feeding, walking around or standing and swaying from side to side. Although as parents we shouldn’t feel we need permission to care for our children, being reassured that it wouldn’t be distracting was, for me, a welcome encouragement.

In all it was an excellent course, and well worth the relatively small cost of £20. I’m very glad that I didn’t push the idea to one side.

How different can paediatric first aid be to adult first aid? Quite different, as it happens. I pray that I never have to use the skills that I learnt on the course but it’s reassuring to know that, should the need arise, I would now be better prepared to handle the situation, and would hopefully be a little calmer for it.

Can I be rather forward and ask you to please consider taking a paediatric first aid course, either with Mini First Aid or with another provider? Whether you are a parent, grandparent, carer, teacher, or hope to be any of these one day, these are such important skills. What’s £20 and two hours of your life to possibly save some else’s?

Mini First Aid have regional trainers across the country, and I would absolutely recommend checking them out. If, like me, you’re in the North East, you can find Gail’s contact details here. Giver her a call. She’s lovely.

Laura x