First aid course

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When I found a 5 pence piece in my 2 year old daughter's mouth the other day, it made me realise that had she started choking on it, I really wouldn't have been totally sure what to do (although gut-reaction would say, put her over my knee and smack her on the back??) Can anyone recommend a good first-aid course? I live in London.

Whacking her between the shoulder blades would have been a good place to start! St John's Ambulance do a good beginner's course, shows you what to do for adults too - try giving them a ring. I was lucky enough to go to one in a place which also had a creche.

Our local toddler group organised a course given by St Johns Ambulance specifically aimed at first aid for babies and children. It lasted 4 evenings was brilliant, tackling breathing, choking,burns etc, meningitis symptoms and cuts, bruises etc. It gave me huge confidence. I did it when dd was 3 months old and again when she was 3 yrs. St Johns were very happy to put the course on for us for a donation to their funds and were more than happy to have babies there when some of us couldn't get babysitters. They only prerequisite was a minimum of 8 people. If you know a group of like minded parents it may be good option.

I did a children and infants first aid course on a sturday run by the local regional college. I think it was something like £20, but worth it. Only had to use it once when Annie swallowed a penny, after what seemed like forever coughing (had her over my knee thumping her back) she eventually brought it up, by which time we had a small crowd round us!!) Not a nice experience.
There's also an excellent First Aid book by Dorling Kingsley they recommened and its got everything from bites to serious 999 stuff.

Safe and Sound do excellent first aid courses for parents and carers. They are based in North London. Find them at www.safe-and-sound.org.uk

Just to reiterate that the St John Ambulance short (three or four evenings) course seems to be good - I am just about to go out for my second evening (couldn't resist a quick look at mumsnet thought - BTW what has happened to the 'addicted to mumsnet' thread - I need it!).

Last week the course was very good, just eight of us on the course (it is being paid for us as we are youth club helpers) - thoroughly recommend it to other parents.

St Johns Ambulance do a special course combined with Tesco that is designed for mothers of babies and young children. It costs just £5 for the evening and covers all the main basics. I am not trying to promote my magazine here, but I work for Mother & Baby magazine and the March issue will be on sale at the end of Jan/early feb and this has all the details ou may need. If you buy your copy in Tesco you will get a special laminated emergency card which has all the info to keep on your pin-board or wherever. Please don't take this as promoting sales of Mother & baby, but I think it might be helpful info

i done a course by st johns ambulance,it was over five weeks i think,1 evening a week and i have used it to great lengths,no 1 son needed recovery position after falling out of bunkbed and going unconcious,used it again for no1 son after he shattered his lower arm,and again for no 1 son when he broke his collar,incidentally i have also used it for no2 son and in oublic so yes i would say first aid really is a good thing to know even if just to help you be calmer in the event of an accident.

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Hi

Last Saturday I went on a St. John's Ambulance 'Lifesaver for Babies and Children' course. It was very good and dealt with emergency first aid - how to deal with choking was part of the course. The course is about 4 hours long and around £25.
My course was organised by the local NCT (Twickenham). I'm not a member of NCT and their courses are open to everyone.
The gen. number for NCT is 020 8992 8637 - they'll be able to give your local NCT number although I don't know if all the NCT groups organise courses.
Otherwise you'll probably have to contact St John's Ambulance directly. I think they have courses in central London or Croydon.