Ideas for teaching basic first aid

Published

Hello everyone! I've been a school nurse at an elementary school for a little over a month now and I love reading this forum! Its really helped me out these first few weeks. I'm just sad the computer blocks me from posting at work ;) I've certainly learned a lot just by reading your posts! This is my first nursing job and while I've always wanted to be a school nurse I never dreamed it would be my first job but here I am! I have a lot of learning to do but I'm having so much fun doing it!

Anyways... our PE teacher asked me if I would come to his class and teach the kids some basics about first aid. Its coming up in the curriculum and he thought it would be nice for me to come and talk. I was wondering if any of you had any fun ideas on how to present everything? I plan on bringing a first aid kit with me and showing them what should go in it. I also planned on going over the basics about washing cuts, etc and putting on band aids, when to apply ice, etc, etc. Thank you SO much for all your help!:redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

What is the grade level of the kids? I'd teach first aid differently to a 5th grader than to a 2nd grader.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oops should have specified that... I'll be going to every grade level.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I think the younger grades should just be a basics class - like proper hand washing, not touching someone elses' wound without gloves, use of bandaids, gloves, ice, running burns under cold water, teaching them not to move anyone and how to keep someone in need of first aid calm and of course 9-1-1 when it's appropriate and how to call. Your police dept may even be able to come in as a guest for that discussion, if they won't i remember having a representative from State Farm insurance come in with a person in a bear costume (the good neigh-bear) to teach and reinforce the use of 9-1-1 with the little ones.

The older grades can probably handle being taught a bit more like a little bit of basic splinting, dressings for larger wounds, etc. The older kids may benefit from having a hands on demo using a few kids to "treat" a willing classmate with a fictional scenario.

If you can get your hands on a first aid manual browse through it, you will get an idea of what is normally covered in a general first aid class and will be able to gauge what your students are capable of learning.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Those are really great suggestions!! Thank you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

I like to teach the proper nosebleed first aid...pinch it closed, like you're holding your nose to go underwater, and bend the head forward, NOT backwards. I explain that bending their head back which is what most people do makes the blood flow into their mouth and throat and can cause upset stomachs if it is swallowed.

Since this is such a commom problem in the schools, I find that doing a little pre-teaching on it helps prevent kids running down the hall with blood streaming down their face! If they know what to do to slow the flow while they are on their way down here, often the issue is resolved by the time they reach me and all we need to do is a little cleanup.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's a great idea about the nosebleeds. And it's funny because right after I read that this afternoon a little girl came running in crying because her nose was bleeding :lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion