Are you a first-time parent, a childcare worker, or a professional involved in an education and care setting in Brisbane, Australia? If so, you may be wondering what type of first aid courses are available for babies and children. First aid training for this age group is just a few among the many available in Brisbane. Certain first aid skills like using pressure on skin wounds to performing CPR by breathing into a baby’s ear are covered. All of which help in preventing further harm to babies and children. It may be life-saving to enrol in these first aid courses for babies and children in Brisbane which will be listed below.
What is First Aid?
Before knowing about all these first aid courses for babies and children in Brisbane, it may be helpful to understand the root of it all. First aid, according to Health Direct, includes the very first steps taken in helping an injured or sick person after an accident or illness. This is an emergency response that may be conducted while waiting for an ambulance. Doing so helps reduce the risk of further injury or danger to someone’s life. It may be possible if it is done correctly and immediately by a certified first aider who may also have a first aid kit.
What is a Certified First Aider?
A certified first aider is a qualified emergency responder who has enrolled in first aid courses in Brisbane and has passed the assessment. As a result, he/she has acquired a first aid certificate that is valid for a certain time. So, there is a need for a first aider to update his/her qualification annually or every 3 years. Doing so depends on the type of first aid certification he/she has and what is recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC).
What is a First Aid Kit?
A first aid kit is a set of materials and tools that may be used by a first aider in providing emergency treatment to an injured or sick person. It is classified according to its intended use, number, and the variety of its materials and tools.
What is in a First Aid Kit?
A basic first aid kit may have most or all of the following:
- First aid booklet
- Alcohol swabs
- Gauze swabs
- Adhesive dressing strips
- Dressing pads
- Sterile eye pad
- Hypoallergenic (skin) tape
- Triangular bandages
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Disposable gloves
- Thermal blanket
- Safety pin
- Stop itch cream
These may be purchased individually to form a customized first aid kit, or purchase a whole set from pharmacies and accredited first aid course providers in Brisbane.
What are First Aid Kit Classifications?
A basic first aid kit may be added with other items for its intended use such as:
- Home use – medication regularly needed by a family member.
- Car use – highly reflective (day/night) safety triangle and vest as you may be near a road and traffic.
- Camping use – glow stick, cold packs, heavy crepe bandages, and whistle may be added.
- For babies and children –Â digital thermometers, basic pain reliever medications, plastic syringes, cold packs, and thick crepe bandages may be needed.
It may be helpful to regularly check the expiry date of medications so these may be replaced when needed.
What is a First Aid Course?
A first aid course provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. These may happen anytime and anywhere whether it be at home, playground, school, or public places. The most common child incidents have been identified by the Australian government.
What are the Common Child Incidents in Australia?
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the following are the top child incidents in Australia:
- Falls
- Choking
- Febrile Convulsion
- Burns
There is a first aid treatment for all of the incidents mentioned above. Knowing how to do them may be learned by enrolling in a first aid course for babies and children in Brisbane.
What is the First Aid Course for Babies and Children in Brisbane?
First Aid Course for Babies and Children in Brisbane is not just a single option. There are many courses to choose from that will equip you with the right first aid practices in incidents involving babies and children. These are the following:
- Basic First Aid (Non-Qualification Course)
- 3HRS BFBFA Baby-Friendly Basic First Aid Course
- Combined Asthma & Anaphylaxis Course
- Provide First Aid (Disability Sector)
HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation- HLTAID011 Provide first aid
- HLTAID012 Provide first aid in an education and care setting
The basic first aid course is recommended for those who are not required to obtain a first aid certificate.
What is the Basic First Aid (Non-Qualification Course)?
This first aid course lasts 3 hours and there is no test or theory setting. Knowing how to perform the following first aid skills may be acquired:
- Basic CPR
- DRS ABCD – emergency protocol
- Recovery position
- Choking
- Burns
- Bleeding
- Anaphylaxis
- Asthma
Usually, there is a Certificate of Attendance released after the first aid training, it may depend on the first aid course provider in Brisbane.
What is the 3HRS BFBFA Baby-Friendly Basic First Aid Course?
It is a 2-3 hours first aid course recommended for parents, parents-to-be, family, and friends. Below are the CPR & First Aid basics that may be learned:
- Basic CPR
- DRS ABCD – emergency protocol
- Recovery position
- Choking
- Drowning
- Febrile Convulsions
- Burns
- Bleeding
- Anaphylaxis
- Asthma
Since there are no prerequisites for this course, anyone may enrol.
What is the Combined Asthma & Anaphylaxis Course?
Usually, first aid courses for asthma and anaphylaxis are offered separately. This accredited first aid course provider offers a single package for both:
- Asthma (22556VIC Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies) – approved asthma management course by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority ACECQA, and is accredited by DEECD. It supersedes course code 22024VIC
- Anaphylaxis (22578VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis) – approved anaphylaxis management course by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), and is accredited by DEECD.
Their 2-in-1 first aid course has the following major contents:
- Asthma – Essential Skills (Practical Session)
- Develop risk minimisation strategies for the emergency management of asthma per legislative, regulatory, and workplace requirements.
- Plan for contingencies.
- Assess emergencies.
- Control the situation according to established first aid principles before management of the asthma episode.
- Apply first aid skills per emergency response procedures and medical action plans.
- Apply effective communication skills in dealing with the asthma casualty and sources of emergency assistance.
Asthma – Essential Knowledge (Online Theory & Practical Session)
- Composition and essential components of an Asthma Management Plan.
- Guidelines of Asthma peak bodies.
- Environmental hazard identification and minimisation.
- Signs and symptoms of asthma – mild/moderate, severe, and life-threatening.
- Potential consequences of an asthma episode.
- Common allergic and non-allergic asthma triggers.
- First aid principles and procedures for the emergency management of asthma; including individual Asthma Action Plans.
- Common asthma medication and equipment.
- Anaphylaxis – Essential Skills (Practical Session)
- Apply first aid treatment for mild to moderate allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
- Position the casualty in an appropriate position for treatment, per the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.
- Administer an adrenaline autoinjector correctly and promptly.
Anaphylaxis – Essential Knowledge (Online Theory & Practical Session)
- The triggers/allergens which cause allergic reactions.
- First aid principles and procedures, including bringing medication to the casualty rather than moving them.
- ARC Basic Life Support Flowchart information.
- Requirements for replacement of the adrenaline autoinjector.
This first aid course may be recommended specifically to those taking care of a baby or a child who suffers from either or both sicknesses.
What is the Provide First Aid (Disability Sector)?
This is a regular first aid course with the following additional contents:
- Wheelchair access – conducting CPR, choking
- Amputees – anaphylaxis & administering EpiPens
- Obtaining consent
This includes first aid training for specialized scenarios tailored for the disability sector. It is recommended to parents, people working in child care, personal care attendants, disability support workers, NDIS support workers, and home care attendants.
What is the HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation Course?
The 
HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation course is a unit of competency that provides the skills and knowledge required to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Guidelines. It’s the most updated course that replaces the previous course codes HLTCPR201A, HLTCPR201B, HLTCPR211A, and most recently HLTAID001. It covers the following:
- DRS ABCD
- Placing casualty in the recovery position
- Completing CPR on adult, child, and infant CPR manikins
- Trainer AED machines, administering defibrillation
- Notifying emergency services and incident reports
Assessment of performance and knowledge of performing realistic in-depth, industry-validated scenarios and simulations is then done by an assessor. He/She should have satisfied the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements.Â
What is the HLTAID011 Provide first aid Course?
The HLTAID011 Provide first aid course required by all workplaces and replaces courses previously known as Level 2 and Senior First Aid. It is the minimum first aid course for any first aider in the workplace. Most first aiders will also be required to complete annual Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation renewal training depending on the industry they work in or their workplace’s first aid policy. It has the following course contents:
- Placing participants in the recovery position.
- Applying bandages and slings.
- Use of the EpiPen.
- Use of asthma puffer.
- Practising CPR on manikins on the floor.
An assessment is then done which is the same as in the HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation first aid course.
What is the HLTAID012 Provide first aid in an education and care setting course?
This first aid course officially known as the Unit of Competency HLTAID012 Provides first aid in an education and care setting. The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response specifically to infants and children. It incorporates the following first aid courses:
- HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- HLTAID010 Provide an emergency first aid response
- HLTAID011 Provide first aid
Following are the additional course contents:
- First aid management in an unconscious, breathing casualty (includes appropriate positioning to reduce the risk of airway compromise).
- Performing CPR on an unconscious, non-breathing infant and adult.
- Using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
- Respond appropriately in the event of regurgitation or vomiting.
- Managing casualties like non-life-threatening bleeding, choking, envenomation, injuries, nosebleed, and shock.
- Signs, symptoms, and management of emergencies in children like anaphylaxis, asthma, breathing difficulties, burns, choking, febrile convulsions, poisoning, seizures, and more.
- Identification and management of a sick infant or child.
This first aid training has no pre-requisite and is ideal for parents, nannies, Au Pairs, childcare workers, educators, and support staff working within an education and care setting.
Conclusion
There are different first aid courses for babies and children in Brisbane. Some don’t require any pre-requisite and/or don’t give any tests. There is also first aid training where an assessment is done and passing it allows you to obtain a first aid certificate, which may be required in the workplace. So, whether you are a first-time parent, a childcare worker, or a professional involved in an education and care setting, you may still acquire the necessary first aid skills. This may be done by enrolling in first aid courses for babies and children in Brisbane.
