SickKid.Net - A Parent's Guide to First Aid Facts, Page 1

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If this is a possible life-threatening illness or injury, call 911 immediately.

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Care for an Injury with R.I.C.E.!

If your child has a minor strain or sprain, it can be painful, but you may not need to head to the emergency department immediately. Instead, try R.I.C.E.

Rest - As soon as your child complains of pain, make sure he or she rests the injured joint or muscle.

Ice - To avoid swelling, apply ice (wrapped in a towel to avoid frostbite) to the injured area in 20-minute sessions every 3 to 4 hours for the first 24 hours.

Compression - Wrap the injured area firmly with an elastic compression bandage, found at your local drugstore.

Elevation - Raise the injured area on pillows or cushions to prevent swelling.

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A Parent's Guide to

First Aid Facts

Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the Heimlich maneuver, and steps to take if your child is poisoned are the most basic, and the most important, first aid procedures. Community centers, YMCA/YWCAs, and your local Red Cross chapter offer basic first-aid and CPR courses for free or a nominal fee. Educating yourself beforehand about first-aid basics will help you remain calm if you ever need to administer first aid to your child. Hands-on experience is best, so these instructions shouldn't be used as a substitute for a CPR course taught by a qualified instructor.

Ronald A. Christensen, M.D., Medical Advisor

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