911: Responding to Medical Emergencies��Part 1

Schema Questions: Let’s talk about your personal experience…

optional sentence starters

1. Have you ever seen or experienced a medical emergency?

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• Yes, I have seen a medical emergency when…
• No, I have never experienced a medical emergency, but…
• I remember a time when…
• One time, I saw someone…

optional sentence starters

2. Have you ever called an emergency number?

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• Yes, I called an emergency number when…
• No, I have never called, but I would call if…
• I remember a time I called for help because…
• I had to call emergency services when…

3. How did you feel during that situation?

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I felt scared / nervous / worried because…

I was calm / confused / surprised when…

It was stressful because…

I felt responsible for helping because…

4. How did you feel during that situation?

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I felt scared / nervous / worried because…

I was calm / confused / surprised when…

It was stressful because…

I felt responsible for helping because…

911: Responding to Medical Emergencies

• What is 911 for?
• Who can help you in an emergency?
• What should you say to 911?
• Should you stay calm or scared?

911: Responding to Medical Emergencies

A comprehensive guide to recognizing, responding to, and managing critical medical situations with confidence and clarity.

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Why 911 Matters in Medical Emergencies

Expert Guidance

• 911 connects you to trained dispatchers who provide life-saving instructions before EMS arrives, guiding you through critical moments.

Time-Critical Response

• Early activation of EMS dramatically improves survival and recovery outcomes. Every second counts in a medical emergency.

Pre-Arrival Instructions

• Dispatchers provide critical step-by-step guidance for CPR, choking relief, and other interventions while help is on the way.

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Recognizing a Medical Emergency: When to Call 911

Knowing when to call 911 can mean the difference between life and death. These warning signs require immediate emergency response:

Break time

10 minutes

Recognizing a Medical Emergency: When to Call 911

Severe Bleeding or Trauma

Uncontrolled bleeding or severe wounds that won't stop with pressure

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Respiratory Distress

Difficulty breathing, choking, or inability to speak due to airway obstruction

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Cardiac Symptoms

Chest pain lasting 2+ minutes or sudden severe pain anywhere in the body

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Altered Consciousness

Sudden confusion, loss of consciousness, fainting, or unresponsiveness

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Stroke Indicators

Inability to speak clearly, sudden weakness on one side, vision changes, or facial drooping

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Severe Allergic Reactions

Swelling of face or tongue, difficulty breathing, hives, or bluish discoloration of skin

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The Three C's of Emergency Response

Check

Assess the scene for safety hazards and evaluate the victim's condition. Ensure your own safety before approaching.

Call

Dial 911 immediately. Provide clear location details, describe the situation, and follow dispatcher instructions carefully.

Care

Provide first aid or CPR if you're trained. Stay with the victim and offer comfort and reassurance until help arrives.

Steps to Take During a Medical Emergency

Stay Calm & Assess Safety

Take a deep breath. Ensure the scene is safe for both you and the victim before taking action.

Call 911 Immediately

Provide precise location information, describe the emergency clearly, and answer all dispatcher questions.

Begin Life-Saving Measures

If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR immediately. Use an AED if available.

Monitor & Comfort

Keep the victim comfortable, watch for changes in condition, and monitor vital signs until EMS arrives.

CPR Basics: A Critical Life-Saving Skill

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double or triple a person's chance of survival. Here's what you need to know:

Check Responsiveness

Tap the victim's shoulder and shout. Check for normal breathing by looking at the chest.

Call for Help

If unresponsive and not breathing normally, immediately call 911 or have someone else call.

Chest Compressions

Push hard and fast at 100-120 compressions per minute, 2 inches deep in the center of the chest.

Rescue Breaths

If trained, give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions. Hands-only CPR is effective if not trained.

Use AED

Apply automated external defibrillator as soon as available and follow voice prompts.

Communication & Coordination During Emergencies

Know Your 911 System

Understand how 911 calls route locally—cell phone calls may connect to towers far from your location, requiring precise address information.

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Maintain Contact Lists

Keep an updated list of emergency personnel, key staff members, and facility contacts readily accessible to all team members.

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Communicate Clearly

When calling 911, use clear, concise language: state the victim's condition, exact location, any hazards present, and number of victims.

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Practice Through Drills

Conduct regular emergency drills to reduce confusion, improve coordination, and decrease response times during real emergencies.

Clear communication in the first minutes of an emergency can save precious time and lives.

Conclusion��Your Role: Every Second Counts

Recognize Quickly

Know the warning signs and trust your instincts when something seems wrong.

Act Immediately

Don't hesitate—call 911 right away. Time is the most critical factor in emergencies.

Stay Prepared

Learn CPR and first aid. Keep your skills current through regular training and practice.

Save Lives Together

With knowledge, preparation, and quick action, we can make every second count.

Reference

Thank you!

Part 2

PYD Foundations: Safety and Wellness

The overall objective of the training is to create a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment and protecting children from harm.

Discussion Segment: �Let’s talk about a couple of general questions…

1. What rules do you follow to stay safe at home or work?

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Sentence starters:

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One rule I follow is…

I always… to be safe.

I do not… because it is not safe.

My family / coworkers help me stay safe by…

2. What do you do if you feel unsafe in a public place?

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If I feel unsafe, I…

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Example: If I feel unsafe, I go to a safe place and call someone I trust.

What is safety and wellness?

• Protecting children from harm
• Supporting physical, emotional, and mental health
• Meeting children's basic needs every day

Importance of Safety in Daycare

• Prevents injuries and accidents
• Builds trust with families
• Helps children feel secure and confident

Safe Supervision

Constant adult supervision

Eyes on children at all times to ensure their safety

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Age-appropriate staff-to-child ratios

Proper ratios ensure each child receives adequate attention

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Active monitoring during play and transitions

Staying alert during high-activity moments

Safe Indoor Environment

• Clean and organized classrooms
• Covered outlets and secured furniture
• Safe toys and materials

Safe Outdoor Play

• Fenced and well-maintained playgrounds
• Soft surfaces under play equipment
• Weather-appropriate outdoor activities

Health and Hygiene Practices

Regular handwashing

Proper diapering and toileting procedures

Cleaning and sanitizing toys and surfaces

Illness Prevention

Daily health checks

Screening children each morning for signs of illness

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Keeping sick children at home

Preventing the spread of contagious illnesses

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Following infection-control guidelines

Adhering to best practices for disease prevention

Nutrition and Hydration

Healthy, balanced meals and snacks

Providing nutritious food options for growing children

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Accommodating allergies and dietary needs

Ensuring every child's dietary requirements are met safely

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Encouraging water intake

Keeping children properly hydrated throughout the day

Medication Safety

Proper Storage of Medications

All medications must be stored securely in a locked, inaccessible location, away from children's reach and sight. Refrigerated medications require a designated, locked space.

Written Parent Authorization

Obtain clear, written consent from parents for each medication, detailing its name, dosage, time, and specific administration instructions. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Correct Labeling and Documentation

Ensure every medication is clearly labeled with the child's name, medication name, expiration date, and dosage instructions. Maintain meticulous records of each administration, including date, time, and dose given.

Emotional Wellness

• Fostering strong bonds and secure attachments through warm, responsive care and consistent emotional support.
• Providing gentle comfort, validation, and reassurance to children experiencing sadness, frustration, or or anxiety.
• Cultivating a peaceful and encouraging environment where children feel safe to express their feelings and develop resilience.

Supporting Mental Health

Teaching emotional expression

• Guiding children to identify, understand, and articulate their feelings through words, art and play activities.

Helping children manage feelings

• Developing healthy coping strategies, self-regulation skills, and resilience when facing various emotional challenges.

Encouraging social connections

• Facilitating positive peer interactions, fostering empathy, and building a strong sense of belonging within the group.

Role of Daycare Staff

Follow Safety Policies Consistently

• Adhering to all guidelines and procedures ensures a secure and predictable environment for children at all times.

Model Healthy Behaviors

• Staff set positive examples in hygiene, nutrition, and social interaction, guiding children by demonstration and encouragement.

Communicate with Families

• Open and regular dialogue fosters strong partnerships, addressing concerns and sharing children's progress and needs effectively.

Conclusion

Shared Responsibility

• Safety and wellness are a collective effort, requiring active participation from staff, families, and the community to create a nurturing environment.

Thriving Environment

• A secure, stimulating environment is fundamental for children to develop confidence, explore freely, and reach their full potential.

Happy, Healthy Learners

• Prioritizing health and emotional well-being directly contributes to children's cognitive development, social skills, and overall happiness in their learning journey.

Reference

Thank you!

Now, let’s talk about PYD Foundations: Safety and Wellness from PennState…

In this course youth development professionals and volunteers who serve children and youth ages 5-18 in OST settings will learn the guidelines for safe operation of programs. They will analyze the key environmental hazards and how to prepare their sites for safety on a daily basis, as well as to prepare for emergencies. Finally, they plan to adopt routines and practices to support the physical and emotional health and wellness of all children and youth in their care.

PYD Foundations: Safety and Wellness

Lesson overview

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In this module, youth development professionals and volunteers who serve children and youth ages 5-18 in out-of-school time settings will learn the guidelines for safe operation of programs. They will analyze the key environmental hazards and how to prepare their sites for safety on a daily basis, as well as to prepare for emergencies. Finally, they plan to adopt routines and practices to support the physical and emotional health and wellness of all children and youth in their care.

Lesson information

In this lesson you will read information on current research. You will view video scenarios from real practitioners in out-of-school time programs. You will also review handouts throughout the lesson that help you apply the information to your program. Be sure to take notes as you work on this lesson.

Lesson objectives

• Learn how to find the state regulations regarding supervision, first aid treatment, fire safety, infectious diseases, emergency plans, and reporting of child abuse and neglect, and know where to find additional information as needed.

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• Analyze the indoor and outdoor environment with awareness of hazards, and make corrections to prevent injury.

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• Plan the schedule, routines, and procedures to promote the nutritional, physical, and emotional health and wellness of all the children and youth in the program.

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• Assist the children and youth to develop habits and mindsets that promote lifelong health and well-being.

Reflection and Practice

• Reflection and practice are important to online learning.

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• Pause and reflect: With all Better Kid Care On Demand modules, you can stop at any time and resume the module where you left off to allow time to apply what you learn to your work with children and families.

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• Pause and connect: Use the discussion forums offered at the end of this module. This is a great way to get support and to continue to process the ideas presented. Better Kid Care encourages you to discuss your ideas with other early care and education or after school professionals in your community and online.

Take-back Your Ideas

• Use the TAKE-Back form as you work on this module to reflect on content and organize your thoughts about what you saw and heard in the module. The TAKE-Back form helps to track ideas and resources YOU are excited about.

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• Use the TAKE-Back form as an easy way to:

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• Document information to share with coaches, mentors, peers, and directors.

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• Remember key ideas and favorite resources.

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• Inform action plans and application strategies.

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• Open the TAKE-Back form below to use throughout the module.

Introduction

Keeping children healthy and safe are clear priorities for out-of-school and after-school programs. In a recent survey parents gave “to provide a safe space” as their top reason for enrolling their children in an after-school program.

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Other parent priorities for out-of-school programs include physical and emotional health; academic tutoring and support; help with homework; nutritious snacks; games; sports; arts activities; and development of social skills.

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This module will cover how youth development professionals can promote the safety and wellness of children and youth in out-of-school programs.

History of out-of-school programs

• Out-of-school time (OST) programs have filled a vital role for school-age children and youth for more than a century. The first programs for children were set up in settlement houses in large cities in the US during the late 1870s through the 1920s. They provided protected spaces for immigrant and low-income children to play board games, read, and exercise.

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• At the same time new ideas were emerging about the importance of childhood and play. Wealthy business men and women wanted to protect children from the “immoral” influences of street life in the crowded city slums (Halpern 2002).

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• Since that time programs such as 4-H, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, and Parks and Recreation programs have been mentoring and teaching special skills to children and youth. Ideas about what these out-of-school programs should accomplish evolved. While each program has specific goals, they also have some things in common:

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• 1. They are not formal schools.

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• 2. Qualified adult staff or volunteers supervise them.

History of out-of-school programs

• After-school programs are one type of out-of-school program that grew rapidly as more parents entered the workforce. The first after-school programs provided a safe place for children to do homework, read, and play. Later, after-school programs began to offer fun, recreational activities. More recently, the goal became the development of the “whole child,” and that led to expanded activities.

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• After-school programs today offer scheduled time for academic support, physical activity, free play, and nutritious snacks and meals. Today in the US more than 10.5 million children (18% of children) use after-school programs, and the demand is growing. Experts estimate that twice as many children (19.4 million) would use after-school programs if they were available (Afterschool Alliance 2014).

PYD Foundations: Safety and Wellness

• Creating safe, supportive environments where youth thrive through positive development and healthy choices.

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After-School Programs: Rising Need

For every child enrolled...

2 are waiting to get in

Enrollment has grown steadily from 6.5M in 2004 to 10.2M in 2014, reflecting increasing demand for quality after-school care.

Why Safety Matters After School

11.3M

Unsupervised Youth

Students alone from 3:00-6:00 p.m. daily

60%

Higher Crime Risk

Increase in violent crimes against youth during after-school hours (3:00-7:00 p.m.)

Parents prioritize safety above all else when choosing after-school programs. Peak hours for juvenile crime and risky behaviors occur between 3:00-6:00 p.m., making supervised programs essential.

Five Essential Elements for Safe Operations

1. Child Development Knowledge

Staff must thoroughly understand age-appropriate development for all children in their program.

2. Regulatory Understanding

Administration and frontline staff must clearly understand state safety regulations.

3. Written Policies

Administration must establish comprehensive written safety policies and procedures.

4. Ongoing Training

Frontline staff must receive continuous safety training throughout employment.

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5. Active Supervision

Frontline staff must actively supervise and monitor children and youth at all times.

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Programs can be sued for negligence if they fail to properly supervise children, maintain equipment, or foresee preventable incidents.

Positive Youth Development Philosophy

• The PYD approach meets children where they are developmentally and builds on their strengths. Youth professionals nurture skills, enable decision-making, and help youth recognize they can impact their own futures.

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• Physical and emotional safety are identified as the first of eight keys to quality youth development.

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Essential Elements of Youth Development

Belonging

• Positive relationships with caring adults
• Inclusive environment
• Safe environment

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Essential Elements of Youth Development

Belonging

• Positive relationships with caring adults
• Inclusive environment
• Safe environment

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Essential Elements of Youth Development

Independence

• See oneself as active participant in future
• Opportunity for self-determination

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Essential Elements of Youth Development

Mastery

• Engagement in learning
• Opportunity for mastery

Essential Elements of Youth Development

Generosity

• Value and practice service for others

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Building Belonging and Independence

Belonging Through Safety

• Youth need acceptance, inclusion, and clear program structure. They must develop trust in adult leaders and peers, understanding behavioral expectations and consequences.

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Building Belonging and Independence

Independence Through Choice

• Youth need opportunities to make decisions about health and well-being. Start with daily snack and exercise choices, progress to meal planning, recipes, and physical challenges.

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Adults ensure a safe, supportive environment where children explore their interests and identities while gradually assuming responsibility for their future health.

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Health and Safety Regulations

Adult-Child Ratios

Minimum adults required per number of children by age

Fire Safety

Fire drills and safety protocols

Health & Safety

Immunizations, supervision, medications, emergency plans

Physical Space

Square footage requirements, construction materials, fencing

Staff Education

Minimum education and ongoing training requirements

Background Checks

Required criminal history and child abuse registry checks

State licensing establishes minimum standards. High quality programs exceed these requirements through intentional programming, well-prepared staff, and strong community partnerships.

Staff Training and Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

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• At least 18 years of age
• High school diploma
• Experience working with children

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Initial Training (40 hours)

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• CPR and first aid
• Basic safety and health
• Child development

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Ongoing Training (24 hours)

• Areas of need based on experience and director recommendations

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CPR training is essential and should be practiced periodically to maintain proficiency.

All 50 states require comprehensive background checks including state and federal criminal history (name and fingerprint) plus child abuse registry checks.

Staff Policies and Mandated Reporting

• Staff Manual Requirements
• All programs need written policies covering child abuse prevention, health and safety procedures, and supervision. Each staff member receives their own copy and reviews it with administration.
• Mandated Reporters

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Child and youth workers are mandated reporters. All states require professionals working with children to report suspected abuse or neglect to state agencies or hotlines.

Job descriptions must contain full range of duties including all safety requirements. New staff should understand daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly expectations for fulfilling their role.

Thank You!