On Sunday, I took the greatest course of my life-a first aid course, one which might save someone’s life one day.
One which might save my own children’s lives one day.
I just wish I’d done one sooner and hope this will inspire you to take action and book one too.I’ve been meaning to do a first aid course for years now (hangs head in shame) and whilst it felt like a crucial and critical thing to do, life, as it often does, just got in the way or I let it.You see, if I’m being entirely honest, a little bit of fear, the fear a course might freak me out a lot (I’m a perpetual worrier) or that I might not keep up or be able to put things into practice, stopped me.And here’s the thing, I’m writing this post after taking a Daisy First Aid course and can categorically tell you my fears were unfounded.The Daisy First Aid course WILL NOT scare you and you will complete it feeling utterly informed and empowered in an emotionally safe setting (your home if you wish) with a caring and patient teacher.
I also want to state that there was a more upsetting reason which prompted me to take this course. Something that happened to Xander which was so upsetting at the time, this is the first time I have mentioned it online.
I just wanted to move on from it and not dwell, but I never really did really move on from it…not until taking this course.
A few months ago, Xander was lying on our bed and somehow sniffed a tiny piece from a toy, up his nose. I was on the bed with him reading a magazine, and Oliver was playing on the floor. There was nothing that could have preempted it, like most accidents with kids, these things just happen. That doesn’t help alleviate the guilt of course.
In panic mode but trying to stay calm, I could see the tiny pink piece in his nose which wasn’t moving but felt fearful that if it moved, it might reach his throat making him choke or potentially stop breathing, I wouldn’t know what to do. I felt frightened and utterly powerless.
The worst position to be in as a parent.
The emergency services were amazing thankfully, advising us on the phone not to touch it and potentially push it further.
The ambulance arrived within minutes, Peter travelling with him to the hospital (which he later told me Xander loved). I remained with a hysterical Oliver as I tried to calm and reassure him that he would be OK.
Once at the hospital, the piece was removed with long tweezers and he was home before we knew it. I think I had nightmares all night and Peter and I promised ourselves we’d book a first aid course as soon as we could.
Peter had completed one several years ago but wanted to refresh his memory and I was adamant that I wouldn’t put it off, another day.
Then something a bit crazy happened-we so often does in life. Despite not ever publicly mentioning what happened, I received an invite from Daisy First Aid offering us a session which we promptly booked at home as they can come to your house. On Sunday, the wonderfully warm and well informed former policewoman Cathy of Daisy First Aid York (they are national so you can check their website for your nearest one) came to take us through the two hour course.
A relaxed session in the lounge, with the kids popping back and forth and volunteering in some instances too, Peter and I were able to practice exactly what to do under Cathy’s guidance and support, in the case of an accident or emergency. Topics spanned placing people in the recovery position to what to do if a baby, child or adult chokes to looking out for illnesses, dealing with head injuries and much more.
Here’s a list of what’s covered in more detail:
- Treatment of an unconscious casualty
- Recovery Positions
- Shock
- Resuscitation & CPR
- Choking
- Head injuries
- Fever
- Febrile Seizures
- Bleeding
- Burns
- Fractures
- Anaphylaxis
- Meningitis
- Other Childhood conditions
Don’t miss this Facebook Live of Cathy telling you what to do if your baby or child chokes HERE
We were also left with a comprehensive guide (usually costing £5) and a Daisy First Aid for babies checklist magnet for our fridge which lists what to do when a child chokes, if you have an unconscious baby or need to do CPR.
They also gave us several Keep This Card Safe mini booklets featuring common signs and symptoms for meningitis and septicaemia too. Super reminders which cement your learning and act as prompts for future reference.
But back to the session, after two hours, I felt that I could and would without a doubt, help someone in need. I would have helped anyone before this course but now I could hopefully make a difference to someone’s well being, I’m confident I can effectively look for signs, do CPR and ultimately keep someone alive until professionals arrived on the scene. What a gift.
All confidence comes from education and experience and this course has been the single most empowering thing I’ve learnt in life.
Daisy First Aid run child-specific courses too from age 7 so I will be booking one in the new year after Oliver’s birthday.
There is nothing more important than knowing what to do in an emergency.Nothing. I know that now.
Please do consider booking a course today and good luck if you enter to win a Daisy parent first aid course worth £50 for two people.UK only.No cash alternative.Ends November 20th 2016.
This is not a sponsored post.
Ends Nov 19th 2016.
UK only.
No cash alternative.
If the winner does not respond within 7 days from the email being sent, a new winner will be selected.
This is a national competition and the class will be closest to your city of residence.
Promoted on Prize finder, BritMums, Loquax, Super Lucky, Umeandthekids and Competition Database.
I think it’s great to do these. I had never done any kind of first aid training and didn’t know anything. So I took a baby and child course when my eldest was a few months old and I was pregnant with youngest. Glad I did & now just have to hope I would remember it if I needed to. #brilliantblogposts
Isn’t it funny how the universe just knows sometimes! I have taken quite a few first aid courses over the years including First aid in the field, Infant first aid and CPR training. Not that I’ve never needed to use it but it’s a skill I would rather have and not use than,not have and need!
I definitely need to book myself on to one of these courses. I am a massive worrier and I do worry if something happened I wouldn’t be confident knowing what to do. So glad Xander was ok too! #brilliantblogposts
I’m glad Xander was OK. I can imagine how scary that would be. B started choking this week. Which is one of my worst fears and has been since I nearly choked as a child. Luckily, his dad was there and calmly did everything we’d seen on the advert. It worked and B was sick, shaken, but OK. *We* still haven’t recovered. But, that was exactly the reason I’d been looking into us and his grandparents doing a first aid course. You never know when it might come in handy, or save someone’s life.
Thanks for sharing on #brilliantblogposts, it’s so important.
Kat xx
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This has been on my mind for a long time too, but like you, I’ve always felt nervous about doing one. I worry that the more I know about things that can happen to children, the more paranoid and worried I’ll get. And then I’ll worry that I won’t remember exactly what I’ve learned, and that I might not be able to act properly! Your post has made me realise that I just need to get on with it and sign up for a course. Thanks! #brilliantblogposts
I’m the same. I’ve been meaning to take a baby and toddler first aid course since Amelia was born 18 months ago but never got around to it. I really need to as I’ve always said I would feel horrendous if something happened and I couldn’t do anything from lack of knowledge #brilliantblogpost
It is the single greatest and most valuable course anyone could take x
Oh no, poor Xander, how awful. I dread things like this happening.. You are so right that taking a first aid course could mean being able to act fast and well during a moment where something has gone wrong. This course looks particularly good. #BrillBlogPosts x
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It was such a super course x
I really need to do a course like this. Id have no idea what to do in an emergency and thats a little scary! thanks for inspiring #brilliantblogposts
Pleasure, please do take a first aid course, so glad I did x
It is definitely worth doing, hopefully you never need, but good for peace of mind x
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Thanks Susan, wish I’d done it before Xander’s toy piece in the nose incident but feeling empowered if anything else happens x
Brilliant post, I did a course a few years ago when I was a childminder. I think it should be offered to all new parents. #brilliantblogposts xx
I agree, vital course x
Fantastic idea and something that every parent should look into. You never know when these skills might be needed #brilliantblogposts
Absolutely Jeremy, so pleased to have done it
Such a good idea, I’ve just started weaning and choking is such a scary part of it! You’ve motivated me to find a course and give me some confidence #brilliantblogposts
What an awful thing to have happened. I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been for you all. It’s such an important reminder that anything can happen and it’s so helpful and empowering to feel at least a bit prepared. You’re so brave to share this with us lovely. Looks like a fab course and I will definitely be booking one now. Like you, it’s something I’ve been meaning to do for ages (also hanging my head in shame). #brilliantblogposts XX
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Thank you darling, it was so incredibly scary and this course has made me feel incredibly empowered and so much calmer. I feel if anything should happen, I know what to do before experts were to come on a scene xx
I have done various first aid courses over the last few years as a teacher and I think its so important for everyone to at least learn the basics of first aid! Its scary how things can easily happen, as you have found, so it would be great to know the basics of what to do in those situations
#brillblogposts
Absolutely agree Becca, crucial x
Gosh how important and I bet you feel a million times better now. I’m also hanging my head in shame that I’ve never done a course – nothing as comprehensive as this one sounds anyway. You’ve inspired me to find one now lovely. x
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So pleased darling, it is the single most important course any of us can take xx
Gosh that must have been scary with your son! With my youngest two being in neo-natal, we were given first aid training in the NICU for when we took them home, it’s standard procedure there that all parents are given full training which I think should be offered to EVERY parent, not just those with prem babies. I keep meaning to to a refresher course but never get round to it, I really must! #BrilliantBlogPost
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Great they empower you like that, vital all of we parents do this and everyone x
What a great idea to have a first aid course at your own home. I did a first aid course…ooo….20 years ago but could so do with a refresher. Interesting reading about Xander’s experience. Our Izzy choked on a piece of toast about a month ago and it was very upsetting for the whole family. Thanks for hosting #BrilliantBlogPosts
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Goodness that is scary, do definitely take another course. I went live on FB with a video you can watch, on what to do with Cathy from Daisy First Aid, if your baby or child chokes.
I think this is the most important thing to do and I have never taken time to do it 🙁 Thank you for reminding us all how important it is! I have told my husband that we really need to do a first aid course. #brillblogposts
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Please do book a course, such a vital thing to do x
Aaaagh, I really need to do a baby first aid course! My husband and I have mentioned it several times since our baby was born (10 months ago) but it’s one of those things that we’ve never got around to doing, which is silly really. I downloaded an app, but that’s not something you’re going to start browsing in an emergency situation. I have similar thoughts about it to the ones you mentioned before you went on the course. I think it might increase my anxiety and I’d worry that in an emergency situation I would forget or do it wrong. Still, it’s reassuring reading your post that you found it so useful, so I think we’ll talk about it again (and enter your competition!).
Please do Claire, the scariest thing for me was not knowing what to do when I needed to do-the Daisy First Aid course wasn’t scary at all-I hope you do book one and of course good luck in the competition x
I’m so chuffed that anaphylaxis is included! #BrilliantBlogPosts
It is, so important huh