Preparing for a disaster can sometimes be intimidating.

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Look, no one wants to think about their child or any child in their life in harm’s way, but as caregivers want to be prepared if something terrible happens.

 

Felling helpless is never a good feeling, especially when it’s an emergency. In this blog, we’re going to learn the steps for infant and child CPR, however this blog in no way constitutes CPR training. It is to show you, as a caregiver, what is involved in CPR and why it is important to get properly trained. There is additional information about when CPR is necessary and when it is not as well as a hands only method.  In order to be properly trained please visit the Red Cross’s website for a training near you or for more information on CPR and other life saving measures. 

 

 

Before CPR begins

 

1: Check the scene for safety

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IIIII Ensure that there is no danger around and obtain consent from a parent/guardian before touching the child. Always use PPE when available.

 

2: If the child/infant is unresponsive, check for a pulse

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IIIII For a child: shout the child’s name, tap their shoulder, check for breathing and any life threatening signs like bleeding.

IIIII For an infant: shout to try and get the baby’s attention, tap the bottom of their foot if they don’t respond. Check for breathing or any life threatening signs.

 

3: If the child/infant is not responsive, not breathing, or gasping for air, appoint someone to call 9-1-1. If you don’t have CPR equipment within reach, appoint someone to get it for you.

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Performing CPR

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1: Place the child/infant on a firm flat surface and Kneel beside them

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2: Give 30 chest compressions

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IIIII I For a child: place the heel of one hand in the center of the child’s chest, with your other hand on top and your fingers interlaced and off the child’s chest

-Position your shoulders directly over your hands and lock your elbows

-Keep your arms straight

-Push down hard and fast about 2 inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute

-Allow the chest to return to normal position after each compression

 

 

 

 For a small child: use a one-handed CPR technique

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-Place the heel of one hand in the center of the child’s chest

-Push down hard and fast about 2 inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute

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For a baby: place both thumbs (side-by-side) on the center of the baby’s chest, just below the nipple line

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-Use the other fingers to encircle the baby’s chest toward the back, providing support

-Using both thumbs at the same time, push hard down and fast about 1 ½ inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute

-Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each compression

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Alternatively, for a baby, use the two-finger technique

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-Use two fingers placed parallel to the chest in the center of the chest

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For a baby, if you can’t reach the depth of 1 ½ inches, consider using the one-hand technique

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3: Give 2 breaths

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For a child, open the airway to a slightly past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique

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For a baby, open the airway to a neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique

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-Blow into the child or baby’s mouth for about 1 second

-Ensure each breath makes the chest rise

-Allow the air to exit before giving the next breath

-If the first breath does not cause the chest to rise, re-tilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the second breath. If the second breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway

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4: Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths until:

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-You notice an obvious sign of life

-An AED is ready to use

-Another trained responder is available to take over compressions

-EMS personnel arrive and begin their care

-You are alone and too tired to continue

-The scene becomes unsafe

-You have performed approximately 2 minutes of CPR (5 sets of 30:2), you are alone and caring for baby, and you need to call 9-1-1

 

 

For CPR, first aid, AED, BLS, and other safety classes or near you please visit Red Cross’s website

References: American Red Cross