This morning as I had my coffee, I came across a video on Facebook where a twelve day old new born stopped breathing. The police stopped the speeding car and successfully revived the child and kept her breathing until paramedics arrived. I cried through the video. the mom looked like a new mom and I could just imagine her fear.
Afterwards I reflected on the fact that I was last ‘certified’ in First aid while I was in nursing school years ago and while I still keep the first aid manual within reach on my bookshelf, I know I don’t really remember much if any of it. As a mother now, I feel like that video reminded me of the need to keep at the very least some aspects, including CPR.

It was just a jolting reminder that it’s something that could literally save a life and as a mom, still relatively new, I wouldn’t want to be caught in the position of being in an emergent situation and not knowing what to do.
The edition I have is the 9th edition, and I believe since then there’s been a ‘9th REVISED’ edition, a ’10th Edition’ and a ’10th REVISED Edition’. I don’t know how much the information had changed so I will be supplementing the information with research, and I encourage mommies, especially local Jamaican mommies to do the same. Especially if you are in a remote area and medical help may be some distance away.

Also, don’t forget to keep a first aid kit around the house. You can buy one ready-made or simply compile one yourself. Here is a list I copied from KidsHealth.Org.
What Should a First-Aid Kit Include?
Put these in each of your first-aid kits:
- an up-to-date first-aid manual
- a list of emergency phone numbers
- sterile gauze pads of different sizes
- adhesive tape
- adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) in several sizes
- elastic bandage
- a splint
- antiseptic wipes
- soap
- antibiotic ointment
- antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
- hydrocortisone cream (1%)
- acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- extra prescription medicines (if the family is going on vacation)
- tweezers
- sharp scissors
- safety pins
- disposable instant cold packs
- calamine lotion
- alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
- thermometer
- tooth preservation kit
- plastic non-latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)
- flashlight and extra batteries
- a blanket
- mouthpiece for giving CPR (you can get one from your local Red Cross)
Also keep a blanket stored with your kit.
Talk to you guys soon!
XOXO.
2 COMMENTS
Alexis Chateau
4 years agoMy mom and I keep a first aid kit and blankets in the car. You just never know!
Shandean
4 years agoDefinitely a good practice.