I’m a paramedic and here’s what to do if you lose your child in public – and the natural response you must fight

A former paramedic has revealed what parents should do if their child gets lost in a busy public place.

Nikki Jurcutz, founder of the Parent First Aid Education Program, Tiny Hearts Educationsay parents should avoid ‘wasting time’ by running around ‘quietly’ in panic when they have lost sight of a young child.

The Australian mother of two said they instead had to immediately shout out a description of their missing child so others nearby could help them locate him quickly.

Nikki advised parents not to worry about how they look to others when they scream that they have lost their child, because ‘every minute counts’ and many members of the public will be more than willing to help.

“I promise you that if you start screaming that you’ve lost your child, I will stop immediately and help you find them,” she said on Instagram.

Nikki, who worked as a paramedic for eight years, says parents must fight the urge to panic the moment they realize their child has wandered into a public space.

“If a child is missing, don’t do this – run around quietly in panic, every minute counts, you’re wasting time,” she said.

She explained that a better way to quickly locate a little one is to calmly and assertively shout out details about him or her so others can help.

“I have lost my child, he is four years old, he is wearing blue shorts and a white T-shirt, please help me find him,” she shouted as an example.

“He’s been gone for about two minutes, he has blonde hair, blue eyes, his name is Wolf, he’s four years old.”

Nikki said she had to reveal the child’s age, name, what they are wearing, their hair and eye color and how long they have been missing.

‘Who cares how you sound? “I promise parents will unite to help you find your little one,” she said.

‘I’ll go one step further and promise that if you or your child needs help – in a park, mall, in the pool. I’ll stop and I’ll help you.’

Parents welcomed the ‘great’ advice and shared their own scary experiences of briefly losing their children in public.

‘Can confirm this works amazingly!! I’ve had to do it before,” one woman said.

‘This is so important! What an effective method. I know I would immediately stop and help look,” another agreed.

“That’s why it’s so important to dress your kids in something bright and unique,” a third suggested.

‘This works, my friend had to do this a few years ago at a busy Christmas market. I found the little one very quickly,” someone added.

This isn’t the first time Nikki has given potentially life-saving advice.

She previously revealed why parents should never take their children out of their car seats if they have an accident on the road.

‘Car accidents can cause serious internal or spinal injuries that are not visible. The impact can be significant and moving your little one could cause further damage,” she warned.

The mother said it is important to leave your child in the car seat if you have a high-speed collision traveling faster than 60 km/h, if your car is hit from the side and if there is significant damage.

You should also not move them if your little one is injured and there are signs of head, neck or spinal injuries.

In addition, Nikki urged parents to leave their children in their seats if airbags are deployed nearby, if there is no immediate threat and if there is a risk of further collisions.

“Call 000 and, if possible, leave the child in the car seat and wait for instructions from the ambulance staff,” the health expert said.

If you need to remove your child from the car due to danger (such as traffic hazards), unclip and remove the entire car seat while the child is still in the harness, or use scissors to cut the straps.

Nikki urged parents and caregivers not to worry about seat damage, as most car seats need to be replaced after an accident.

However, if the car is smoking, your child is unconscious, or requires CPR or airway management, carefully remove the child from the seat.

“If you are conscious, hold them still against your body until the ambulance arrives,” she said.

You should also follow the same steps if your child is lying around and potentially causing more damage.