CPR and Choking Emergencies

As child care professionals we are required to be training in First Aid, CPR and Choking Emergencies.  I am quite sure we would all like to think we would never have to use the skills in those courses, but truth is at some point we will have to use one aspect or another. My daycare home has two First Aid kits. One is located on top of my counter where it is easily seen and marked. The other is located in my van for any issues that arise while we are out.  Choking with children can happen quickly. Little ones like to put anything and everything in their mouths. It is very important to know the signs of a child choking and how to handle it.  Not knowing what to do can have deadly consequences. 

My state licensing requires that any sub in my home along with myself to have yearly First Aid, CPR and Choking Emergency training. It is so important to know the ABC’s of CPR. I had a case where we were in church one Sunday evening a young girl had a seizure just as she sat down in front of my husband and I. I was very thankful that my husband and I had both been trained. I stayed with the young girl and used my training while my husband called 911. There were only four people in the church that had First Aid and CPR training.  Had no one known what to do I’m afraid of what might have happened to this young girl.  It is very important to be trained properly and I feel like more people should be required to have this most important training.