PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

HLTAID004 - PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY FIRST AID RESPONSE IN AN EDUCATION AND CARE SETTING What is the basic anatomy and physiology relating to an infant’s respiratory system? An infant’s airway is smaller so there is a greater risk of airway obstruction from small foreign bodies. Infants have a larger tongue and smaller oral cavity so the tongue is more likely to obstruct the airway than in the adult. Also, in an infant the ribs are positioned more horizontally so when breathing the ribs only move up, and not up-and-out like an adult rib cage. This limits the capacity to increase tidal volumes. What are the basic anatomical differences between adults and children? Children have a proportionately larger body surface area so there is a greater risk of excessive loss of heat and fluids. Children are also affected more quickly and more easily by toxins that are absorbed through the skin as their skin is thinner than adults. Therefore, there is an increased absorption of agents that can be absorbed through the skin. Furthermore, in children the body cells divide more rapidly so they are more susceptible to the effects of radiation than adults. Children also have higher respiratory rates than adults, making them more susceptible to agents absorbed through the pulmonary route so they may respond more rapidly to such agents. They have a higher metabolic rate, making them more susceptible to contaminants in food or water which in turn exposes them to greater risk of increased loss of fluids when ill or stressed. Children also have immature immune systems, exposing them to greater risk of infection and lower immunity from some infections. What are the implications for providing CPR and first aid to children and infants? Children and infants differ, both anatomically and physiologically, from adults. These differences will have an impact on the assessment and management of the child or infant casualty. However, it is important to recognise that the basic principles of emergency care (airway, breathing and circulation) remain the same – regardless of the age of the casualty. What are the normal paediatric vital signs by age group?

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PADI RTO