If your baby was choking, drowning, suffered a burn, bite or sting, fracture, or poisoning, what would you do?

Douglas Mums, Dads, grandparents and carers can learn how to respond to these medical emergencies through Mossman-based Far North Training and Consultancy’s (FNTC) Carers and Bubs First Aid course.

The 2.5 hour, hands-on session is the only course of its kind in Far North Queensland and covers CPR and basic life support, drowning, burns, choking, and basic first aid procedures for bleeding, febrile convulsions, bites and stings, fractures, poisoning, asthma, and anaphylaxis. 

The Newsport spoke to FTNC Trainer and mother of two, Brooke Rigby, who ran the first course on Tuesday. 

The Newsport: What prompted FNTC to start a Mums and Bubs First Aid course? Did people request it, or did you think it would be a good course?

Brooke Rigby: The course came about as a bit of a combination of feedback and a friend’s experience. The feedback was from some people who wanted to know first aid for their kids, but didn’t have the time, and (or) money to do the full course. I had a friend that had a scary moment with her little girl and she didn’t know what to do, I told her to come to one of my courses, but she just couldn’t find the time for the full course.

So we decided to come up with a short course, for parents or carers that have not previously conducted their first aid, or just wanted a bit of a refresher if they had trained a long time ago.  We believe everyone should know the basics of first aid, and time and price shouldn’t hold them back.

TNP: What sort of people attended on Tuesday?

BR: A couple of pregnant women, some new Mums, and a grandma. Mums, dads, nanna and grandads could benefit from this session, and anyone with kids, or friends with kids - of all ages, not just babies.  

The participants can practice on baby mannequins, child mannequins and also adult mannequins, but we are mainly focusing on children under 10 years. The information is useful for anyone who has never trained in first aid, or hasn’t trained for many years. The only group it is not suitable for is people that require first aid training for their workplace.

TNP: What was the response from attendees?

BR: The feedback from the ladies was great.  The price, content, time frame all received positive feedback.  I think they felt comfortable to ask questions, and have a chance to practice their CPR skills.

TNP: How often will the Carers and Bubs courses run?

BR: We will be conducting one each month, or are happy to conduct sessions for families, or groups of friends if they would like to make a booking.

TNP: What’s the advantage of knowing baby-specific first aid in addition to, or instead of, general first aid?

BR: When our children are small we tend to panic more because they can’t explain what is wrong, also they put things in their mouths, ears, up their nose, today we taught them the importance of keeping calm and doing all that they need to do in a calm and confident manner.

Our participants on Tuesday will all receive a $10 discount of regular first aid if they would like to come back for a full days training.

The main advantage is we have kept the course very inexpensive, and in a fairly short time frame.  As it is an information session (not an accredited program) there is no need for exams or assessments, so it’s a relaxed environment, to build confidence and knowledge.