First aid for an unconscious child
Photo: Samuli Raappana / Suomen Punainen Risti
Secure the breathing of an unconscious child with the recovery position.
If a child suddenly loses consciousness, find out what has happened.
- Can you wake the child up? Try to wake the child up by addressing and shaking them.
- If the child does not wake up, call the emergency number 112 immediately. Follow the instructions given by the Emergency Response Centre.
- Turn the child on their back and check if they are breathing normally.
- Clear the airways:
– Carefully tilt the child’s head by lifting on the tip of the chin with one hand and pushing their forehead with the other.
– Watch, listen and feel for the breath. Can you see their chest moving? Can you hear their breathing? Can you feel the air flow on your cheek? Estimate whether the breathing is normal, abnormal or not there at all. - If the child is breathing normally, turn them into the recovery position. Ensure that the airway is open and the child is breathing normally. Monitor the child’s breathing until professional help arrives.
First aid for an unconscious person. Placing a patient in the recovery position.
Video: Samuli Raappana / Suomen Punainen Risti
Call the general emergency number 112 in an emergency.
Follow these instructions when making the emergency call
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