Ask Safe Sitter

Q. Why does the Instructor Manual instruct students to count aloud the 5 abdominal thrusts (or back blows/chest thrusts) during practice?

A. One reason is that it helps them keep track of the number of thrusts (or blows) given. The other is that in an emergency, counting aloud helps the sitter stay focused on what she is doing. Graduates have told us staying focused helped them not only remember what to do, but helped them to stay calm and comfort the child by telling him what they are doing.