Although CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) must be performed by properly trained individuals in a certified first aid course, even ordinary individuals can significantly contribute to the survival of children who experience cardiac arrest. Follow these steps, which reflect the guidelines of the American Health Association as of 2010, to learn how to perform CPR on children. For adults, follow these different procedures.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Check the Situation
Step 1. Check if the child is conscious
It is best to try patting the feet with your fingers. If the child doesn't give any response signals, and if no one else is around, call the emergency service as you take the next step. If you are alone with the baby, follow the steps below for 2 minutes (to provide immediate first aid) before calling the emergency services.
Step 2. Give First Aid
If the baby is conscious but is choking, get first aid before attempting CPR. But even if the baby is breathing you should follow these actions:
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If the child has a cough or gagging while choking, let him continue. Coughing and retching is a good sign - it means your airways are only partially blocked.
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If the child does not have a cough, you need to be prepared to give back blows and / or chest thrusts to remove anything that is blocking his airways.
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Step 3. Check the baby's pulse
Check if he has started breathing again, and this time put the index and middle fingers on the inside of the child's arm, between the elbow and the shoulder.
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If the baby has a pulse and is breathing, put him in the safety position.
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If you don't feel your pulse and aren't breathing, continue with the next steps to perform CPR, which consists of a combination of compressions and breaths.
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Method 2 of 2: Perform CPR
Step 1. Open the airways
Gently tilt the baby's head back and lift his chin to open his airways. Keep in mind that the canal is small, so it won't have to be a sharp movement. Again, check your breathing during this phase, but for no more than 10 seconds.
Step 2. Give two rescue breaths
If you have it, put a mask on the child's face to prevent the exchange of body fluids. Close his nose, tilt his head back, push his chin up, and take two breaths, each lasting about a second. Gently exhale until you see his chest rising; exhaling with too much force could cause injury.
- Remember to take a break between one puff and the next to let the air out.
- If you see that the breaths have not worked (the chest has not risen) the airways are blocked and the baby is about to choke.
Step 3. Check your brachial pulse after the first two rescue breaths
If there is no pulse, start CPR on the baby.
Step 4. Squeeze the chest 30 times with a few fingers
Hold two or three fingers together and place them in the center of the baby's chest just below the nipples. Gently, but steadily, squeeze the baby's chest 30 times.
- If you need to support your fingers because you feel tired, use the other hand to help you with the pressure. Otherwise, with the second hand caress the baby's head.
- Try to perform chest compressions at a rate of approximately 100 compressions per minute. This may seem like a lot, but it's really just a little more than one compression per second. And anyway, try to keep a steady pace.
- Press for 1/3 or 1/2 the depth of the baby's chest. This usually means about 3 - 4 cm.
Step 5. Perform the same set of two breaths and 30 compressions until you see your chest rise or see signs of life
If the pace is right, you should do 5 sets of breaths and compressions in about two minutes. Once you start CPR, you don't have to stop unless:
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You see signs of life (the baby is moving, coughing, breathing well, or vocalizing). Vomiting is not a sign of life.
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Another experienced person is able to replace you.
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There is a defibrillator available ready for use.
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The situation suddenly becomes dangerous.
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Step 6. To remember the steps of CPR, remember "ABC"
Keep this handy reminder handy so you can remember all the steps in CPR.
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A stands for air.
Open his mouth and check that the airways are clear.
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B is breathing.
Close his nose, tilt his head back, and give two rescue breaths.
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C stands for circulation.
Check if the baby has a pulse. If not, do 30 chest compressions.
Advice
New guidelines from the American Health Association AHA (2010) recommend a model of "CAB" rather than "ABC". They recommend checking your level of consciousness first (again tapping your feet) and checking your pulse before starting chest compressions. Start with 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths x 5 cycles. (Untrained rescuers can also use their hands only and avoid breathing). If the baby does not recover in these first two minutes of CPR, you should call the Emergency Service
Warnings
- Don't press too hard on his chest - you could damage his internal organs.
- Only blow enough to make his chest move, otherwise you could puncture the baby's lungs
