CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a vital skill that can save lives during emergencies. When it comes to children, the approach for CPR is slightly different from that of adults. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of administering CPR on a child, covering essential steps, precautions, and tips.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Assess the Situation
3. Call for Help
4. Check for Breathing
5. Begin CPR
6. Continue CPR
7. Aftercare
8. Conclusion

Introduction

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an essential first aid skill that can save lives by helping maintain blood flow to vital organs during cardiac arrest. In children, the causes of cardiac arrest are often different from those in adults, and hence, the CPR technique differs as well. The following guidelines are applicable for children aged 1 to puberty.

Note: The information provided in this article should not replace proper CPR training. We highly recommend that you attend a certified CPR course to get hands-on experience and knowledge.

Assess the Situation

Before administering CPR, it’s crucial to assess the situation and ensure your safety and the child’s safety. Follow these steps:

1. Check for danger: Look for any potential hazards, such as fire, traffic, or electrical risks, before approaching the child.
2. Check for responsiveness: Gently tap the child’s shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you okay?”

If the child is unresponsive or not breathing normally, proceed with CPR.

Call for Help

If you are alone, shout for help to attract attention. If no one comes to your aid, call the emergency services yourself.

1. Dial your local emergency number.
2. Put your phone on speaker mode so you can continue performing CPR while talking to the operator.

If someone is with you, instruct them to call the emergency services while you start CPR.

Check for Breathing

Before starting CPR, quickly check if the child is breathing:

1. Open the airway: Place one hand on the child’s forehead and gently tilt the head back. With your other hand, lift the chin slightly.
2. Look, listen, and feel for breathing: Place your ear near the child’s mouth and nose, and listen for breath sounds while looking at the chest for movement. Feel for any air movement on your cheek. Do this for no more than 10 seconds.

If the child is not breathing or only gasping, initiate CPR immediately.

Begin CPR

CPR involves chest compressions and rescue breaths. For children, the recommended ratio is 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths.

Chest Compressions

1. Position: Place the child on a firm, flat surface. Kneel beside their chest.
2. Hand placement: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the child’s chest, between the nipples. For small children, you may need to use only one hand. For larger children, you can use both hands by placing the heel of your other hand on top of the first and interlocking your fingers.
3. Compressions: Press down hard and fast, compressing the chest to about one-third of its depth (approximately 2 inches or 5 cm). Aim for a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions. Minimize interruptions to maintain consistent compressions.

Rescue Breaths

1. Open the airway: Tilt the child’s head back and lift the chin slightly to open the airway.
2. Check for foreign objects: Briefly look inside the child’s mouth to see if there are any visible obstructions. If you see an object, perform a finger sweep only if you can easily remove it. Do not perform a blind finger sweep as it may push the object deeper into the airway.
3. Breath delivery: Pinch the child’s nose closed with your thumb and index finger. Create a seal around their mouth with your mouth, and give two slow, gentle rescue breaths. Each breath should last about 1 second and make the chest rise visibly. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and try again.

Continue CPR

After giving two rescue breaths, resume chest compressions. Continue the cycle of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths until one of the following occurs:

1. The child starts breathing normally or becomes responsive.
2. Emergency medical services (EMS) or another trained professional arrives and takes over.
3. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, and you need to pause CPR to use it.
4. The scene becomes unsafe.
5. You are too exhausted to continue.

If an AED is available, follow the instructions for use, and administer a shock if advised. Resume CPR immediately after delivering the shock, beginning with chest compressions.

Aftercare

Once the child is breathing normally or EMS has arrived, follow these steps:

1. Recovery position: If the child is breathing on their own but remains unconscious, place them in the recovery position. Lay the child on their side with the bottom arm extended, the top arm supporting the head, and the top leg bent for stability.
2. Monitor: Keep a close eye on the child’s breathing and pulse. If the child stops breathing or loses their pulse, restart CPR immediately.
3. Keep them warm: Cover the child with a blanket or coat to maintain body heat.

Conclusion

CPR is a life-saving skill that can make a significant difference in emergency situations involving children. This guide provides a basic understanding of how to perform CPR on a child, but it’s essential to undergo proper training from a certified organization to gain the confidence and skills necessary to administer CPR effectively.

Remember, the best way to protect children is to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Encourage safety awareness and teach them about potential hazards and emergency situations. Stay vigilant and ensure that your home and surroundings are child-proof to minimize the risk of accidents.