Giving your teen the freedom to navigate the world without you can be scary — for both you and them. But you can give them confidence by ensuring that they learn first aid for teens for situations where they or their friends are in need.

In this post, we’re going to look at the health issues that are more likely to affect teenagers and offer some guidance on teenagers’ first aid.

Learning these skills is a step towards independence for your teen and will give you peace of mind, knowing that they are equipped to deal with emergencies.

Which health issues affect teenagers?

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, young people aged between 15 and 24 are most likely to be affected by issues such as mental health conditions, substance use disorders and injuries.

For females, the top three causes for the “burden of disease” (the impact of a health problem) are:

  1. Anxiety disorders
  2. Depressive disorders
  3. Eating disorders

For males, the top five causes are:

  1. Suicide and self-inflicted injuries
  2. Alcohol use disorders
  3. Road traffic injuries

Teens first aid

Here are some tips for first aid issues that are more likely to affect teens. Knowing how to deal with them will empower your teenager to help their friends in the event of an emergency.

Remember, in an emergency, your teen should dial triple zero (000) for help. While they are waiting for help to arrive, our tips give guidance on what to do.

DRSABCD

DRSABCD is an action plan that can be used in many emergency scenarios.

  • Danger: Check for danger and ensure the patient and others are safe.
  • Response: Check for a response by calling the patient’s name and squeezing their shoulders. If there’s no response, call for help. If there is a response, monitor and manage injuries.
  • Send for help: Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
  • Airway: Open the patient’s mouth and check for foreign material. If found, roll the patient on their side and clear the airway.
  • Breathing: Check for breathing. If breathing is abnormal, make sure an ambulance has been called and start CPR.
  • CPR: Give 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths.
  • Defibrillate: Use a defibrillator if appropriate, following the machine’s instructions.

Mental health emergency

A mental health emergency is when someone feels they may harm themselves or others, is extremely distressed or feels suicidal. This is what you should do if someone is showing these signs:

  • If they need help immediately, call triple zero (000).
  • You can also call Lifeline, a mental health charity, on 13 11 14 for 24-hour crisis support or Kids Helpline, aimed at young people aged 5 to 25, on 1800 55 1800.
  • Stay with the patient until help arrives or they feel calmer.

Alcohol misuse

  • If someone appears to have consumed too much alcohol, check them for head and other injuries.
  • Call triple zero (000) for help if you are concerned about their status.
  • Place the patient in the recovery position.
  • Do not try to make them vomit.
  • Stay with them until help comes.

Road traffic injuries

  • Call triple zero (000) for help.
  • If there is more than one casualty, prioritise who to help by assessing who needs assistance first.
  • You can do this by assessing airways. By lifting a casualty’s chin and moving the jaw forward, you may be able to open up their airway.
  • Casualties with blocked airways or who are unconscious or bleeding should take priority.
  • If a casualty is bleeding, press down on the wound with a sterile wound dressing or a clean item of clothing.
  • Follow DRSABCD.
  • Minimise danger at the scene by using hazard lights to alert other drivers of the situation, switching off the vehicle’s ignition and staying away from leaked petrol.

What else does my teen need to know?

As well as understanding the theory around what to do in an emergency, it’s a good idea for teens to attend an in-person first aid course to get some hands-on experience and extend their range of skills.

You can check out the St John Ambulance Australia site to find out about courses close to you.

It’s also a good idea to be prepared by having a well-stocked first aid kit in your home or your teen’s vehicle so that they have the supplies they need on hand in an emergency.

Gift your child confidence

First aid may seem daunting to teens, but by learning a few essential skills, they can go out into the world with confidence.

You can complement their skills by ensuring that your home and vehicle are equipped with the first aid supplies you need — check out the extensive MediBC range of first aid kits and refills to know more.

Gifting your child confidence as they transition into  adulthood can make a world of difference, and the first aid skills they learn could help save a friend’s life too.