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Complete First Aid, ARU Writtle Main Campus, Lordship Road, Writtle (2026)

24/12/2025

Seizures in children
A seizure can also be known as a convulsion or fit. In young children, seizures are usually caused by a raised body temperature, often following an infection. This type of seizure, known as a febrile seizure, occurs because the brain is not mature enough to cope with the body’s high temperature.

Look for:
• loss of or lack of a response
• vigorous shaking, with clenched fists and an arched back
• signs of a fever, with hot, flushed skin and sweating
• twitching of the face
• squinting, fixed or rolled back eyes
• breath holding with a red face and neck
• drooling at the mouth
• vomiting
• loss of bladder or bowel control.
What to do
• Clear any objects away from around the child that could be dangerous. Then place pillows or soft padding, such as rolled up towels, around the child. This will help to protect them from injuring themselves while having the seizure.
• Do not restrain the child or move them unless they are in immediate danger.
• Do not put anything in their mouth.
• Try to cool the child down. Take off any bedding and clothes such as a t-shirt to help cool them. You might need to wait for the seizure to stop to do this. Make sure there is fresh air circulating but be careful not to overcool the child.
• When the seizure has stopped, place them in the recovery position to keep the airway open. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help.
• While you wait for help to arrive, reassure the child and parent. Monitor the child’s level of response.
• While you’re waiting for help to arrive check your baby’s breathing and ensure their airway is open and clear. If they stop breathing at any point prepare to start CPR. Try not to move your baby in case they have a spinal injury.
If you want to know more about first aid or would like to attend one of our first aid courses why not check out our website www.completefirstaid.org or contact us at hello@completefirstaid.org or 07907 488 958.

23/12/2025

What is sepsis?
Sepsis is caused by the way the body responds to an infection. The infection can happen anywhere in the body. For example, a chest or urinary infection, or problems in the abdomen like burst ulcers, or even simple skin injuries like cuts and bites. Sepsis is sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning.

It is a life-threatening condition which makes the immune system go into overdrive as it tries to fight the infection. This can reduce the blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, eventually leading to multiple organ failure and possibly death.

In adults and older children, look for:
• Slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, or faintness
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain
• Passing no urine over the past 24 hours
• Severe breathlessness or rapid breathing
• ‘I feel sicker than I ever have before’
• Skin is mottled, pale or discoloured
• They may not have all of these symptoms.
What to do
• If someone is unwell and you think they have one or more symptoms of sepsis, do not wait call 999 or 112 for emergency help straight away.
If you want to know more about first aid or would like to attend one of our first aid courses why not check out our website www.completefirstaid.org or contact us at hello@completefirstaid.org or 07907 488 958.

22/12/2025

Alcohol poisoning
When someone drinks too much alcohol they can suffer from alcohol poisoning. Drinking too much alcohol depresses the nervous system from working properly, particularly the brain. It can severely weaken mental and physical functions, and the person may become unresponsive.

If someone has alcohol poisoning, look for:

• a strong smell of alcohol - you may see empty bottles or cans
• reduced level of response
• their face may be moist and reddened
• deep, noisy breathing
• full, bounding pulse.
Later, you may find:

• shallow breathing
• a weak, rapid pulse
• dilated pupils that react poorly to light
• unresponsiveness.
What to do
• If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, reassure them and cover them with a coat or blanket to keep them warm.
• Check the casualty for any injuries, especially head injuries, or signs of any other medical conditions.
• Be aware that the smell of alcohol on an unresponsive casualty could disguise other conditions such as a head injury, stroke, heart attack and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) which need appropriate treatment.
• If you’re unsure about how serious their condition is, call 999 or 112 for emergency help.
• Place the casualty in the recovery position so that they do not choke on any vomit.
• Do not try to make them sick.
• Monitor their level of response until they recover or until a responsible adult can take over care.
• If worried, call 999 or 112 for emergency help.
• If they become unresponsive at any point, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to give CPR.
If you want to know more about first aid or would like to attend one of our first aid courses why not check out our website www.completefirstaid.org or contact us at hello@completefirstaid.org or 07907 488 958.

21/12/2025

Fever
A fever is when a person has a persistent high temperature above 37°C (98.6°F). This is normally caused by a bacterial or viral infection and is often associated with a sore throat, earache, measles, meningitis or chickenpox. Beware of recent overseas travel. If a young child’s temperature rises above 39°C (102. 2°F) this can be dangerous and might trigger a seizure.

Look for:

• a persistently high temperature - above 37°C (98.6°F)
• feeling cold, with goose pimples, shivering and chattering teeth.
• Later they may have:
• hot, flushed skin and sweating
• a headache
• general aches and pains.
What to do
• If someone has a fever, help make them comfortable and keep them cool, ideally in bed with a sheet or light duvet.
• Do not use a sponge to cool them as there is a risk of overcooling.
• Give the casualty plenty of cool drinks to replace any fluid loss through sweating.
• If they’re feeling unwell, you can give them the recommended dose of paracetamol tablets for an adult, or the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup for a child.
• Do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 16.
• Monitor their level of response until they recover.
• If you are worried, seek medical advice.
If you want to know more about first aid or would like to attend one of our first aid courses why not check out our website www.completefirstaid.org or contact us at hello@completefirstaid.org or 07907 488 958.

20/12/2025

How to use a cold compress or ice pack
Cooling an injury like a sprain or bruise can help to reduce the swelling and pain. There are two types of compresses: ice packs, and cold pads, which can be made from dampening a cloth with cold water.

What to do – cold pad
• Soak a clean cloth or flannel in cold water. Then wring it out lightly and fold into a pad.
• Hold it firmly against the injured area
• Re-soak the cloth every couple of minutes to keep it cool.
• Do not cool the injury for more than 20 minutes
What to do - Ice pack
• Use a pack of frozen vegetables or partly fill a plastic bag using small ice cubes or crushed ice. Wrap the bag in a dry cloth.
• There are also readymade ice packs available to buy.
• Hold the pack on the injury and top up with ice to keep it cool.
• Do not cool the injury for more than 20 minutes.
If you want to know more about first aid or would like to attend one of our first aid courses why not check out our website www.completefirstaid.org or contact us at hello@completefirstaid.org or 07907 488 958.

19/12/2025

What is Hyperventilation?

Hyperventilation is unnatural, fast or deep breathing, normally caused by anxiety, experiencing an emotional upset or a history of panic attacks.

Look for:
• abnormally fast or deep breathing
• anxiety
• a fast pulse-rate.
Later they may develop:
• dizziness or feeling faint
• trembling, sweating and dry mouth
• tingling and cramps in hands, feet and around the mouth.

What to do
• Try to reassure the casualty and be kind. If you can, take them to a quiet place. This may help them to regain control of their breathing. Ask any bystanders to leave. Give the casualty space.

• Do not advise the casualty to breathe into a paper bag as this could make the condition worse.
• Encourage them to seek medical advice, so they can learn how to prevent and control hyperventilation or a panic attack in the future.
• It is rare for children to suffer from hyperventilation, so you should try looking for other causes.
• If you are worried, and they do not seem to improve, call 999 or 112 for emergency help.

18/12/2025

What is Croup?

Croup is a childhood condition, where there is inflammation of the windpipe and the voice box.

Look for:
• distressed breathing
• a short, barking cough
• rasping noise when breathing in
• a croaky voice
• blue-grey skin (due to lack of oxygen).
What to do
• Baby croup first aid - sit the child on your knee and support their back
• Sit the child on your knee, supporting their back, and calmly reassure them.
If the croup is severe, or the breathing is distressed and not improving, or the child has a high temperature, call 999 or 112 for emergency medical help. The child may have epiglottitis.

Monitor their breathing and level of response until help arrives.

17/12/2025

How to put a baby in the Recovery Position:
If the baby is not responding to you, first perform a primary survey – check for Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation (any bleeding?). If this establishes that they are unresponsive but breathing, put them in the recovery position. Cradle the baby in your arms, with their head tilted downwards to prevent them from choking or inhaling vomit. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help and monitor their level of response until help arrives. If the baby stops breathing you will need to start CPR.

16/12/2025

Tip of the Day: Casualties having an Angina attack may have chest pain and shortness of breath. If they rest and take their medication they should recover with 8 minutes. If they don’t this could be a Heart Attack. Call 999 immediately.

15/12/2025

Tip of the Day: If you ever have to use a defibrillator make sure you follow the instructions carefully. If there are 2 of you, chest compressions can be done whilst the defibrillator is being set up. Only stop chest compressions when the defibrillator is analysing the casualty.

14/12/2025

Choking baby
When a baby is choking, their airway is partly or completely blocked, meaning that they may be unable to breathe properly. As you start weaning your baby and they begin eating solid foods or playing with small objects, they may be at risk of choking.
A choking baby may:
• be unable to breathe, cry, or cough
• have a red puffy face
• show signs of distress.
What to do
• If you think the baby is choking then they need your help straight away. If they can breathe, are making noises, or coughing, then they may be able to clear their own throat.
• If the baby cannot breathe, cry, or cough, they may be choking, and you will need to give five back blows.
• Lay the baby face down along your forearm and thigh, making sure you support their head and neck. Give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
• If back blows fail to clear obstruction, give five chest thrusts with your baby facing upwards, making sure you’re supporting their head and neck. Put two fingers in the centre of their chest just below the ni**le line and give five sharp chest thrusts.
• Check their mouth again, each time.
• Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if the obstruction hasn't cleared. Take the baby with you to make the call.
• Keep repeating five back blows and five chest thrusts until help arrives, checking their mouth each time.
• If the baby becomes unresponsive at any point, prepare to start baby CPR.

13/12/2025

Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the linings that surround the brain and the spinal cord. It’s caused by a bacteria or virus. Anyone of any age can get meningitis. It can be very serious. If you suspect someone has meningitis call 999 or 112 immediately, so they can get to a hospital as soon as possible for urgent treatment.

Look for:
• very unwell, with a flu-like illness and a high temperature
• mottled or very pale skin
• hands and feet may feel cold to touch
• joint and limb pain
• as the infection develops, severe headache
• neck stiffness
• vomiting
• eyes may be sensitive to light
• drowsiness
• babies may have a high pitched, moaning or whimpering cry. They may be floppy and have a tense or bulging soft spot on the top of the skull known as the fontanelle.
• later on, a distinctive rash of red or purple spots that do not fade when pressed.
What to do
• If someone is unwell and you think they have signs of meningitis, call 999 or 112 for emergency help straight away.
• While waiting for help to arrive, start to treat their fever.
• Check the casualty to see if they have a rash. If they do, you can do the glass test. Most rashes will fade if you press the spots with the side of a glass. If they do not fade, call 999 or 112 for emergency help at once.
• While you’re waiting for help to arrive, reassure them and keep them cool. Give them plenty of water to replace fluids lost through sweating. Monitor their level of response.

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