We all must be prepared to respond when a child or staff member is hurt. The scenarios below were first shared in the Learn section of this lesson. Reread each scenario, determine if it is a life-threatening injury, and describe how you would respond. Share your answers with a trainer, coach, or administrator.

1. As Simone climbs the ladder on the slide, she twists her ankle and falls backwards onto the ground. Her left foot is turned at an awkward angle.

   1. Is this a life-threatening injury?
      No, this does not appear to be a life-threatening injury. Simone needs medical care for her foot. It is possible she has broken a bone. If Simone also hit her head and there is any risk of a head injury, this could be a life-threatening injury.

       
   2. What would you do?
      Contact Simone’s parents or guardian. See medical attention as quickly as possible. Continue to monitor Simone’s health. If she has difficulty breathing or if she hit her head, call 911* immediately.

       

2. Dante and Claire are chasing one another on the paved path through their play area. Dante trips and skins his knee.

   1. Is this a life-threatening injury?
      No, this is not a life-threatening injury.

       
   2. What would you do?
      Use your basic first aid training and your first aid kit. Wash your hands and put on gloves. Clean the wound. Apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Apply a sterile adhesive bandage.

       

3. Madison and Tristan are riding trikes down a path that goes down a slight hill. Madison stops his trike at the bottom of the hill. Tristan can’t stop in time and runs into Madison. Both trikes fall over on top of the children. Madison hits his mouth on the bar of his trike and loses a tooth.

   1. Is this a life-threatening injury?
      No, this does not appear to be a life-threatening injury. Just like with Simone in the first scenario, though, any evidence of a head injury could be life-threatening.

       
   2. What would you do?
      Follow your program’s first aid procedures for dental emergencies. Preserve the tooth and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Call Madison’s parents or guardians. Seek prompt medical attention.

       

4. Luke drops his favorite piece of artwork on the way to his dad’s car. It flutters into the parking lot and he dashes out to catch it. The oncoming vehicle cannot stop in time to miss him.

   1. Is this a life-threatening injury?
      We do not know the details, but this should be treated as a life-threatening injury.

       
   2. What would you do?
      Make sure it is safe for you and other responders to go to Luke. If it is, go to Luke to assess the situation and perform immediate first aid. Direct one person, by name, to call 911. Direct another individual to block and redirect traffic. Do not move Luke unless it is absolutely unsafe for him to stay in place.

       

5. Luis brings you a handful of “candy” that he found on the floor. When you look closely, you see they are actually pills that must have fallen out of an adult’s purse. Luis has swallowed some of the pills but you cannot determine how many.

   1. Is this a life-threatening injury?
      Yes, this should be treated as a life-threatening emergency. We do not know what kind of pills these are or how many Luis has ingested.

       
   2. What would you do?
      Call 911 (or local EMS in international locations) or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Immediately take the pills from Luis and be prepared to describe them to the dispatcher. Follow the directions the dispatcher gives you. Look for the pill bottle to identify the pills.

       

6. Millie is giggling with her friends during lunch. Suddenly her face turns red, her eyes get wide, and she cannot make any sounds. It appears that Millie is choking.

   1. Is this a life-threatening injury?
      Yes, this is a life-threatening injury.

       
   2. What would you do?
      Use your first aid training. Perform quick, upward abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the object is dislodged. If Millie loses consciousness and is still not breathing, perform CPR as you were trained. Call 911.

       

7. Chad and Jason are playing tag outside on the playground. The playground surface is made up of soft turf, however Jason is not paying attention to where he is running and collides with Chad running the opposite direction on the playground. The two children hit their heads.

   1. Is this a life-threatening injury?
      No, this does not appear to be a life-threatening injury. Both boys need medical care for their heads. It is possible either one has a concussion, but that is not usually a life-threatening injury.

       
   2. What would you do?
      Evaluate the situation and both boys’ appearance and behaviors following the incident. Provide appropriate first aid. Contact Chad’s and Jason’s parents or guardian. Continue to observe them throughout the day and seek medical attention if needed.

       

*Note: Outside of the Continental United States (OCONUS), use local procedures for contacting emergency medical services.