First Aid for Children Philippines: The 10 Emergencies Every Parent Must Know
Dr. Miguel Soriano
Emergency Pediatrics · Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center · Medically reviewed · April 2, 2026
In a pediatric emergency, the minutes before the ambulance arrives determine the outcome. These ten first aid skills for Filipino parents — adapted for Philippine settings and common local emergencies — could save your child's life.
1Choking: Back Blows and Abdominal Thrusts
For a child over one year who cannot cough, cry, or make any sound: deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the object does not dislodge, deliver five abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver): stand behind the child, make a fist above the navel, cover with your other hand, and thrust sharply inward and upward. Alternate five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the object dislodges or the child loses consciousness. For infants under one year: never abdominal thrusts. Use five back blows followed by five chest thrusts (two fingers on the breastbone). If the child loses consciousness, begin CPR.
2Febrile Seizure, Drowning, and Severe Allergic Reaction
Febrile seizure: lay the child on their side on a flat safe surface. Do not hold them down, do not put anything in the mouth. Time the seizure — a seizure lasting more than five minutes requires emergency services. Afterward, the child may be confused and sleepy for 30 minutes — this is the postictal state and is normal. Drowning (including near-drowning): call for help and remove from water. If not breathing, begin rescue breathing immediately. Start CPR if no pulse. Do not attempt to drain water from the lungs — this is a myth. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): symptoms include face/throat swelling, difficulty breathing, and sudden dizziness. Use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if prescribed. Call 911 and go to the ER even if symptoms improve after epinephrine.
3Burns, Head Injury, Poisoning, and Pediatric CPR
Burns: cool the burn with running cool (not cold) water for at least twenty minutes. Do not apply toothpaste, butter, or any home remedy — these cause infection. Cover loosely with clean cloth. Third degree burns (white, brown, or charred skin) require immediate ER care. Head injury: go to the ER immediately if the child loses consciousness even briefly, vomits more than once after the fall, has a seizure, has unequal pupils, or has a visible depression in the skull. Poisoning: call the Philippine Poison Control Center at (02) 8524-1078 before inducing vomiting — some substances cause more damage coming back up. Pediatric CPR: 30 chest compressions (push hard and fast, two inches deep on the breastbone) followed by two rescue breaths, at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Continue until help arrives.
Advertisement
When to See a Doctor
After any first aid situation involving choking (even if successfully resolved), head injury, drowning, or allergic reaction — take your child to a doctor for post-event evaluation even if they appear well. Some complications appear hours later. Call emergency services (911) and do not wait for a doctor if your child is not breathing, not responding, or in cardiac arrest.
Key Takeaways
For choking: five back blows then five abdominal thrusts, alternating, for children over one year. Never abdominal thrusts for infants.
For febrile seizure: lay on side, time the seizure, do not restrain. Call emergency services if seizure lasts more than five minutes.
Philippine Poison Control Center: (02) 8524-1078 — call before doing anything for suspected poisoning.
What I Learned
"I learned the Heimlich maneuver at a parent first aid class. Three months later, I needed it — my two-year-old choked on a piece of longganisa at dinner. He is fine. That one-hour class saved his life." — Rodolfo, dad of Paolo
Emergency Warning Signs
Breathing fast, rash + fever, when to call emergency
When to Go to the ER
Head injuries, asthma attacks, vomiting — clear ER thresholds
500+ questions answered by Philippine pediatricians
Browse All FAQsDoctor's Perspective
Emergency Pediatrics · Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center
"Every Filipino parent should take a four-hour pediatric first aid class. PCMC offers them regularly. The parents who arrive at my ER having already done back blows or CPR give their children a survival advantage that no amount of medical equipment can replicate."
Read full insightNot Sure What Your Child Has?
Use the KidSafe PH Symptom Checker — select your child's age and symptoms for instant guidance. Free, no sign-in needed.
Check Symptoms NowAdvertisement
Fever Care Essentials
Independently selected by the KidSafe PH editorial team. Available on Lazada & Shopee Philippines.
Digital Thermometer
₱1,200–₱4,500Accurate temperature reading is your first step. Braun ThermoScan ear thermometers and Omron forehead models are most accurate for children.
Cooling Gel Patch (Kool Fever)
₱85–₱150Kool Fever patches provide gentle cooling relief for children 2 years and older — gentle, mess-free alternative to sponge baths.
Paracetamol Syrup/Drops
₱80–₱250Always consult your pediatrician for the correct dose before giving. Calpol, Biogesic, and Tempra are widely available across Philippines.
⚠️ Always consult your doctor for the correct dose based on your child's weight.
Baby Fever Sponge Bath Set
₱250–₱450A soft sponge and lukewarm water bath is the safest non-medicine way to help bring down temperature — recommended by the Philippine Pediatric Society.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. KidSafe PH earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. All products are independently selected by our editorial team.
Related Articles
2 more Emergency articles available
Choking Hazards for Toddlers: Foods to Avoid and Emergency Response
Choking is a leading cause of accidental death in young children. Two minutes of reading this could save your child's life — and one simple knife cut changes everything.
