PACC Children's Transportation First Aid (VTQ)
The Children’s Transportation First Aid course provides learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to recognise and respond effectively to a wide range of first-aid situations involving children during transportation. The course is designed to ensure participants can preserve life, prevent conditions from worsening and promote recovery while maintaining a safe environment for both themselves and those they care for.
Learners are introduced to fundamental first-aid principles, including personal safety, initial assessment, the primary survey (DRAB), and the importance of obtaining consent. The course explains how to recognise and manage fears associated with providing first aid while building confidence in responding to emergencies.
A major component of the training includes managing airway and breathing issues. Learners are taught when and how to place a child in the recovery position, how to identify abnormal or absent breathing, and how to activate emergency services. CPR skills feature prominently, with specific guidance on adult, child and drowning protocols, including compressions-only CPR, the adapted approach for COVID-19 safety and child-specific sequences such as providing initial rescue breaths.
The course also covers recognising and responding to sudden cardiac arrest and includes guidance on safe AED use, pad placement, shock delivery and continuing care until help arrives. Learners are shown how to manage choking in both adults and older children using back blows, abdominal thrusts and modifications for pregnancy or size limitations.
Other key topics include serious bleeding control, sling application, recognising and treating hypovolaemic shock, spinal injury considerations and conducting a head-to-toe injury assessment. The course also explores management of dislocations, fractures, head injuries, nosebleeds and a range of medical emergencies such as anaphylaxis (including auto-injector use), epilepsy, diabetic emergencies, asthma attacks and hyperventilation. All content is contextualised for the transportation environment, where rapid recognition and safe decision-making are vital.
Learners also receive guidance on emergency communication tools such as What3Words, enabling precise location sharing during incidents. Additional administrative elements include coronavirus safety measures, certification details and the process for completing digital or paper-based assessments.
Upon successful completion, learners gain access to downloadable manuals, videos and CPD documentation through the ProTrainings platform. They are reminded of the importance of regular refresher training, with annual updates recommended and practical skills refreshers available.
Overall, the course equips learners with the competence and confidence to manage first-aid incidents involving children safely and effectively during transport settings, ensuring high standards of care aligned with recognised first-aid practice.
