FROM POOL TO EMERGENCY FOR FIFTY TODDLERS
Fifty children are predicted to visit a Queensland hospital emergency room following a drowning incident this summer and as many as six of these children will die, according to recent Mater Children’s Hospital data.
First aid could help decrease these alarming statistics and Queensland First Aid’s managing director, Garry Draper is calling for all parents to become certified before the holidays. “It is a parent’s worst fear to not be able to protect or help their child. That’s why it’s vital to have the necessary skills to save a life if the situation ever arises. These days [first aid courses] are so easy and quick that there really is no excuse,” Mr Draper said. Dr Ruth Barker, emergency paediatrician from the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit at Mater Children’s Hospital said that drowning is still a leading cause of death in children under five and believes first aid skills can literally make the difference between life and death.
“First aid skills are an essential and sometimes life-saving tool for parents and I would encourage all parents and carers to learn resuscitation skills so that they have practiced the techniques before they need to use them,” Dr Barker said.
Teacher, Louise Leabeater experienced firsthand the importance of first aid around the pool a few years ago when her youngest daughter nearly drowned. “I learned the hard way that pool accidents can happen so easily, and without first aid it can be tragic,” said Louise. “As a teacher, being first aid certified is part of my job, but I also feel like it’s part of my responsibility as a parent, and I’ve instilled it in both my daughters who have done junior first aid courses too.”
Queensland First Aid has revolutionised the industry by offering comprehensive one-day training on or off-site and providing participants with their certificates on the day of the course. Garry Draper says Qld First Aid believes that toddler summer water safety is as easy as 1,2,3:
1. Supervise children around the pool or at the beach at all times. Children should not be out of reach or vision at any time – no matter how confident they are around water.
2. Ensure your kids are educated about water safety and try to enroll them in learn to swim classes as early as possible. Check for reputable schools in your area.
3. As a parent, be prepared! Update your First Aid and Resuscitation skills yearly. Should something unforeseen happen, you might be the one person to save your child’s life until medics arrive at the scene.
At Queensland First Aid no prior reading or learning is required and all participants receive a free first aid kit, first aid manual and their certificate on the day. For more information or to enrol in a one day Queensland First Aid course, visit www.qldfirstaid.com.
