Children/Young People’s Health
First Aid (Children)
Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
Why is it worth learning about first aid?
As the NHS suggest
“Young children sometimes have injuries and accidents. Most are minor, but it’s a good idea to know what to do if the accident or injury is more serious. Start by learning some basic first aid, or revise what you already know.”
“What to do if your child has an accident.” The NHS website. Retrieved 5/2/2024
What to do in an emergency?
From the NHS
First Aid – children
- How to resuscitate a child How to resuscitate a child – NHS
- How to stop a child from choking How to stop a child from choking – NHS
- What to do if your child has an accident What to do if your child has an accident – NHS
First Aid – all ages
- First Aid overview First aid – NHS
- After an incident (includes CPR in children) First aid – After an incident – NHS
- Recovery position First aid – Recovery position – NHS
- Burns and scalds Burns and scalds – NHS
Further information
There is more detailed information below.
Basic first aid
general information
From St Johns Ambulance
Excellent first aid advice
- Children and babies first aid Paediatric First Aid – CPR, Choking & More | St John Ambulance
- Adults and children common conditions First aid advice | St John Ambulance
- How to do CPR on a child How to do CPR on a child – Paediatric First Aid | St John Ambulance
- Choking baby Choking Baby – Paediatric & Baby First Aid | St John Ambulance
- Choking child Child Choking – Paediatric First Aid | St John Ambulance
- How to apply a dressing? How to apply a dressing – First Aid Advice | St John Ambulance
From British Red Cross
Excellent advice backed up by videos
- Learn first aid for babies and children: Learn first aid for babies and children
- Learn first aid: Learn the key skills to use in an emergency Learn key first aid treatments with the British Red Cross
From Resuscitation council UK
CPR information and ways you can learn CPR Public Resource | Resuscitation Council UK
From NICE
- Injuries (includes sprains and strains, bites, nose bleeds, burns and scalds) Injuries | Specialities | CKS | NICE
- Poisoning Poisoning | Specialities | CKS | NICE
Defibrillator
Can defibrillators be used on children?
Yes, standard defibrillator pads are suitable for use on children over the age of eight.
For children aged between one and eight years, use a paediatric defibrillator or standard defibrillator with paediatric pads. The paediatric pads adjust the current delivered during defibrillation. In an emergency, if a defibrillator with adult pads is the only device available, then it can be used.
Never use a defibrillator on infants under the age of one.
- How to use a defibrillator? How to use a defibrillator | St John Ambulance
- Defibrillators – a guide for rescuers Defibrillator Guide for Rescuers | St John Ambulance
- Training courses and supplies for first aid First Aid Courses, Advice & Volunteering | St John Ambulance
NOSE BLEEDS
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
This includes information from patient info how to deal with a nose bleed
Nosebleed
What to do if someone has a seizure
From the NHS
What to do if someone has a seizure (fit) What to do if someone has a seizure (fit) – NHS
accidents and injuries
Information on common injuries and accidents and their usual treatment is included under
This includes information on self-care, and when attending a minor injuries unit or accident and emergency department may be appropriate.
reducing the risk of accidents
For information on reducing the risk of accidents for children see under
How can you prepare to give first aid?
LEARN FIRST AID ON LINE
From British Red Cross
- Learn first aid for babies and children: Learn first aid for babies and children
- Learn first aid: Learn the key skills to use in an emergency Learn key first aid treatments with the British Red Cross
From St Johns Ambulance
- First aid advice for children and babies Paediatric First Aid – CPR, Choking & More | St John Ambulance
- First aid advice: includes How to ….. and also click on right side “first aid advice topics” for a list of common topics First aid advice | St John Ambulance
From Patient info
- How to teach yourself first aid How to teach yourself first aid | Choking, bleeding and CPR | Patient
COURSES
Some courses are FREE particularly if community related
From St John Ambulance
First aid for school pupils First Aid Training Courses for School Kids | St John Ambulance
From British Red Cross
First Aid courses First aid courses and training | Red Cross Training
From the NHS
Medicines for babies and children Medicines for babies and children – NHS
From the NHS
What should I keep in my first aid kit? What should I keep in my first aid kit? – NHS
From the British Red Cross
“No first aid kit? No problem! You may not always have access to a first aid kit in an emergency. Here are some suggestions for other everyday items you can use.” Options for first aid if no first aid kit is available.
From Patient info
- Essential first aid items for your home Essential first aid items for your home | Health at home | Patient
- Medicines to Keep at Home Medicines to Keep at Home | First Aid | Patient
- Holiday first aid kit essentials Holiday first aid kit essentials | Travel Health Advice | Patient
From British Red Cross
Download Free first aid apps
“Learn first aid fast and stay prepared for emergencies wherever you are. Download our free first aid app today for guidance and training.” Free first aid apps | Adult and baby | British Red Cross
Videos and podcasts
On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of first aid.
- Videos And Podcasts – see section “health conditions.”
