What should I do for my child in an emergency?

In many cases that involve the emergency room (ER), the health of your child will be in the hands of the pros. But there are still some things that you can do to help your child, to speed up the process, and to ensure that your child gets the best care possible. Make an emergency plan:

• Pretend to be calm; anxiety is as contagious as rotavirus. Your child needs your soothing voice, not anxiety. She'll absorb your calmness, and that will ultimately help her manage a scary situation.
• If your child is unresponsive, call 911 and do the "ABC" check: (A) Check the Airway, to make sure that it's not blocked. (B) Check for Breathing -- sounds of inhaled or exhaled air. (C) Check for Circulation - your child's pulse. If you need to start CPR or perform the Heimlich maneuver, the dispatcher can walk you through the steps while the paramedics are on their way. Better yet, be prepared by taking a CPR class or a refresher course.
• Stop any bleeding by applying pressure on the wound. Keep holding the pressure for at least ten minutes and do not cheat by peeking early, since, once the bleeding restarts, you have do it all over again for another ten minutes.
• Don't move your child if you suspect a head, neck, or back injury. Cover her with a blanket and wait for the paramedics.

Find out more about this book: YOU: Raising Your Child: The Owner's Manual from First Breath to First Grad...

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