First Aid Investigators: Cora's Guide to Helping!

Time: 40 minutes

Goal: To become a confident First Aid Investigator who knows how to help with minor injuries (with an adult!), what to do for some weather owies, and when to call for big emergencies!

Materials Needed:

• Chart paper or large drawing paper
• Markers (different colors)
• Index cards with scenarios (pre-written)
• Toy phone (or pretend phone)
• A doll or stuffed animal (optional, for practice)
• Band-aids, a piece of clean gauze or cloth, and pretend antiseptic wipe (or real, with adult supervision for demonstration)
• Timer

Lesson Activities:

1. Welcome, Super Investigator! (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Hi Cora! Today, you're not just Cora, you're Lead First Aid Investigator Cora! Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to learn how to help when small accidents happen, what to do if the weather makes someone feel unwell, and super importantly, when to call for backup like the amazing people at 911. Are you ready?"

Briefly discuss what Cora thinks first aid is. Emphasize it's about providing initial help safely.

2. 911 Emergency Detective (10 minutes)

Teacher: "One of the most important skills for an investigator is knowing when to call for the big professionals! Let's figure this out."

Activity:

1. On chart paper, make two columns: "CALL 911! (Big Emergency)" and "Get Adult Help (Smaller Problem)."
2. Read out scenarios from index cards (or have Cora pick them). Examples:
   • Someone is not breathing.
   • A small scratch from a kitten.
   • Someone fainted and won't wake up.
   • A mild sunburn after playing outside.
   • Someone is choking and can't talk.
   • A scraped knee from tripping on the sidewalk.
3. Cora decides which column the scenario belongs in and sticks/writes it there. Discuss her choices.
4. Practice: Using the toy phone, pretend to call 911 for one of the serious scenarios. What to say: "My name is Cora. My address is [Cora's address]. Someone here [describe situation, e.g., 'isn't breathing']. An adult is with me." Emphasize staying on the line until told to hang up and always telling an adult immediately.

3. The Minor Injury Fix-Up (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Okay Investigator, now for those smaller owies, like a little cut or scrape. Remember, this is always with adult supervision or help!"

Activity:

1. Steps for a Minor Cut/Scrape: Discuss and list these simple steps:
   1. Tell an adult right away!
   2. Adult helps wash their hands and then yours.
   3. Adult helps gently clean the cut/scrape with water (and maybe a safe wipe).
   4. If it's bleeding a little, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth/gauze.
   5. Cover with a band-aid.
   6. Wash hands again!
2. Practice: Cora can demonstrate these steps on a doll, stuffed animal, or even pretend on her own arm, narrating what she's doing. Emphasize asking an adult for help at each stage if unsure.

4. Weather Warriors: Quick Thinking! (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Sometimes the weather can cause problems. Let's investigate how to give quick help for these!"

Activity: Discuss each scenario and what simple first aid action Cora (with an adult) could take. Explain how these actions reduce severity and help recovery.

• Sunburn: "Ouch, too much sun!" Action: Go indoors or into shade, cool (not icy) cloth on the area, drink water, tell an adult. Aloe vera gel can help later.
• Insect Bite (like a mosquito): "Buzz, ouch!" Action: Try not to scratch! Wash the area with soap and water. A cold pack can help with swelling. Tell an adult. (Mention if it's a bee sting and the stinger is visible, an adult should help remove it. If there's trouble breathing or lots of swelling, that's a 911 call!)
• Heat Exhaustion (feeling very hot, tired, dizzy from heat): "Phew, it's too hot!" Action: Get to a cool place (shade or indoors), sip cool water, loosen any tight clothing, put cool cloths on neck/forehead. Tell an adult immediately.
• Hypothermia (getting dangerously cold): "Brrr, super cold!" Action: Get indoors to a warm place, remove any wet clothes and put on dry ones, wrap in a blanket, sip a warm (not hot!) drink. Tell an adult immediately.

Link to Life-Saving/Recovery: For each, ask Cora: "How does doing this help the person feel better faster or stop it from getting worse?"

5. Big First Aid Actions & Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Investigator Cora, you've done amazingly! There are some first aid actions for very serious emergencies, like helping someone breathe or if they are choking, that trained adults and paramedics do. These are called things like 'rescue breathing' and 'abdominal thrusts.' We aren't learning to DO them today, but it's good to know they exist and are reasons why calling 911 quickly is so important. Knowing basic first aid for smaller things, and when to call for big things, can truly help save lives, stop injuries from getting worse, and help people get better faster."

Review: Quickly ask Cora one thing she learned about 911 calls, one step for a minor cut, and one thing to do for a weather injury.
Investigator Pledge: "Great job, Investigator Cora! You've earned your First Aid Investigator status! Let's make a quick pledge: 'I, Investigator Cora, will stay calm, get adult help for injuries, and know when to call 911 to help keep everyone safe!'"