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specifically, Ms Smallbone adds that it’s “about having an assortment of products suitable for managing kids’ common injuries until further help arrives if needed”.
“I recommend keeping a prepacked first aid kit,” she said. “Alternatively, an assortment of dressings between waterproof and fabric, and have a variety of sizes for quick patch-ups on the go.
“Also, a non-stick dressing with a light compression bandage is essential for the bigger stacks. The compression also has a dual-use – immobilising a sprained or injured limb.
“I keep a mini bubble wand and a few balloons in my first aid kit to keep young ones distracted when first aid needs to be performed.”
First aid products to have on hand
While a prepacked first aid kit isn’t absolutely required – with the plethora of products available in retail pharmacy, it’s relatively easy to put together
your own kit, Ms Smallbone says a kit including all the basics is excellent if customers are unsure about what they need, with a variety of sizes available – for car, office, family, etc.
Mr Hann also suggests families invest in a first aid kit for the car.
“When you’re out and about, you can’t carry everything, but knowing that you have a first aid kit in your car could
be an important factor in creating a successful outcome,” he said.
In terms of individual products
Mr Hann and Ms Smallbone recommend having the following items on hand:
• Bandaids
• Antiseptic cream
• Wipes
• Saline solution
• Burns kits
• Crepe bandages
• Gauze pads
• Wound closure strips
• Eyewash kits
• Splinter probes and tweezers
• Scissors
• Snake bandages
• Instant ice packs.
For those considering arming little
ones with first aid products to take to kindergarten or school, Ms Smallbone underscores the importance of “only packing items that the school allows, and that you’re OK with being stuck all over the kids’ backpack, or lost”.
“Most first aid items are [in the
category of] ‘keep out of reach of children’ as they should only be used by a responsible adult,” she said. “All schools and extracurricular activities will have first aid personnel, and further information about what they provide can be found on a state/territory government’s website.”
Mr Hann adds that all schools have a qualified nurse for assisting little ones in case of emergency.
“I’d always suggest contacting the school and speaking with the nurse or school staff, and asking questions regarding first aid in case of an emergency,” he said.
“If they [parents] do feel the need
to pack a first aid kit, then I’d suggest they just pack the essentials, such
as bandaids, and then teach your children to immediately go to a teacher/ supervisor to check the wound.”
LITTLE LEGENDS 63 aged kids and their families live with on
a daily basis.
“We’re lucky enough to live in a
country where help isn’t too far away, but kids with chronic health conditions and injuries can worsen in the blink
of an eye and need experienced ‘first aiders’ around them that can respond quickly and confidently,” she said.
“Those first few minutes are critical if your child’s health deteriorates before help arrives. Speak with your child’s GP or specialist for specific first aid and CPR for your child’s condition.”
While a quick internet search will “bring up a list of first aid and training providers in your community”, according to Ms Smallbone, Mr Hann adds that “any local St John Ambulance branch presents first aid courses”.
Role of a pharmacy assistant in providing first aid
“Our role is to advise and provide parents with the correct information and recommend suitable products where necessary to assist in wound healing and wound care,” Mr Hann said, referring to a pharmacy assistant’s duties.
“[Our role is also] to provide advice on current practices in treating wounds for optimal healing and scar prevention, as well as being the collector of information and knowing when to refer the parent to the pharmacist for more information.
“Parents can also be referred to the school nurse and their local GP, as well as their local St John Ambulance and community health nurse.”
Encouraging your team to “stay informed with first aid knowledge by doing online training modules and attending in-store training provided by brands that you stock” are also ways pharmacy assistants can make sure they have the knowledge to then help equip parents with the right first aid tools to support their children, according to
Ms Smallbone.
“[Professional development] will give you the most up-to-date advice for parents around first aid and what they need for different injuries,” she said.
“If unsure, you can refer to the contents of premade kits that your pharmacy stocks, or the St John Ambulance website ... [get in touch
with] some first aid training providers
in your area to keep some of their contact details handy to refer to patients and parents seeking out first aid and CPR training.”
Learning first aid and CPR
Learning about appropriate first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
is “extremely important”, according to Mr Hann.
“As an adult, everybody should know first aid, as you never know when you may need to use those skills or know what to do in a situation,” he said.
“However, as a parent and/or schoolteacher, it’s even more important to know what to do and how to help a child who may need first aid.”
Ms Smallbone added: “Asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and anaphylaxis are just some of the challenges school-
RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2021