“Inquest into boy's death examines competency of First-Aid Training for School Staff”

The first aid response was "hampered by panic and communication difficulties," according to the results of an inquiry into the death of a young child at an Adelaide school.
As a result, it has prompted concerns about whether South Australian educators are adequately prepared to handle first aid situations.

The tragedy occurred in a special needs classroom at Henley Beach Primary School when five-year-old Lucas Mazzei choked to death.

How the Tragedy Unfolded

Lucas was sitting in the school's special needs classroom on his own. His classmates had departed for a science lesson. Lucas was unable to join them, as it was widely known that he would put "anything and everything" in his mouth due to his global developmental issues.

At one time, the support staff member was out of sight, and the teacher who was watching Lucas also left the classroom. Lucas started choking on a nectarine stone while no one was looking.

Staff immediately began administering first aid and called for an ambulance after learning about the situation. Lucas was placed in the recovery position, held upside down, and beaten on the back in an effort to clear his airway as they waited for the ambulance.

A portion of the first assistance administered did not follow the Australian Resuscitation Council's approved protocols. Similarly, CPR wasn't started until an ambulance showed up. Additionally, a defibrillator remained still in its packing even though it had already been brought inside the classroom.

After that, Lucas was brought to the Women's and Children's Hospital, where he was declared deceased.

Inquest Findings

Deputy Coroner Ian White is currently presiding over the inquest. Emma Roper, the coroner's assistant counsel, told the inquest that all staff members gave first assistance as best they could and should not be held to a high standard.

She did admit, though, that the start of resuscitation had been delayed. "No chest thrusts were performed by the staff present," she stated. "This was despite the fact that they had all had first aid training as recently as February and chest thrusts were part of that curriculum."

According to Ms. Roper, "it appears that the provision of first aid, in accordance with the instructions of the [triple zero] operator was hampered by panic and also communication difficulties." One staff member had to leave the room "because she was overcome with emotion" due to the heightened panic.

"At the time of Lucas's death," Ms Roper stated to the inquest, "none of the persons present had completed the course specifically designed for people working with children. The Department for Education did not, and does not, require this level of training to be undertaken by teachers in public primary schools."

In conclusion

Lucas's parents wanted answers and to make sure no other child died in the same way, according to Professor Richard Bruggemann, who is an advocate for Lucas's family.

"A young boy has died on his third or fourth week at school. Five years later, the family don't know how that happened," he stated. "They equally don't know that this won't happen to another child."

"It's taken the family, his pro bono lawyers who have been working with them, me as a sort of amateur advocate, to get this onto the agenda. The really good thing about coronial reports is that they give us information about how to ensure how these things never happen again."

Lewis Aid, a nationally licensed training organization, strongly advises everyone working in care and education settings to sign up for an accredited first aid course right away.

Having the right preparation can save lives.

Sources

ABC News, "Choking inquest told 'closer supervision' could have prevented death of Lucas Latouche Mazzei."

ABC News, "Inquest into boy's death examines competency of first-aid training for school staff."

ABC News, "Family of five-year-old boy who choked to death at school refused legal aid ahead of coronial inquest."