Child CPR
When a child can't breath, the first thing you need to do is check if the child is responsive. Ask loudly if they are okay. If they don't respond, remember the ABCs of CPR, which are airway, breathing and circulation.
Airway: The childs airway needs to be opened to allow you to breathe into the lungs. You can open the airway through one of these methods; head-tilt-chin lift or the jaw thrust. Using the head-tilt-chin lift requires you to lay one of your hands on the forehead and the fingers of your other hand under the bony part on the bottom of the chin. Apply pressure to the forehead while you lift the jaw, tilting the head. The other technique for clearing the airway is the jaw thrust. The jaw thrust is best for those who have a head or neck injury because it does not tilt the head. Lay the fingertips of each hand on the angles of the jaw and place your elbows on the ground. Lift the jaw using both of your hands.
Breathing: As soon as the airway is open, you're able to effectively decide if they are breathing. Stick your ear close to the mouth of the child and listen for breathing. See if the chest is rising and falling. See if you can feel air coming out of the mouth. If the child is not breathing, you must begin CPR.
Mouth-to-Mouth-and-Nose: If the child is less than one year of age, you'll need to do the mouth-to-mouth-and-nose technique. Place your mouth airtight over the baby's mouth and nose. Fill your cheeks with air and release that air into the infants mouth and nose. Do this twice; each time pause between breathing. Do not forcefully blow a lot of air into the infant. Babies lungs are a lot smaller than adults. Watch for the chest to rise each time you breath in. If it doesnt rise, reposition the baby's airway and try again.
Mouth-to-Mouth: If the child is older than one year, you should use mouth-to-mouth breathing. To do this, plug the nose with your thumb and forefinger to prevent air from escaping. Place your mouth completely covering the childs mouth and create an airtight seal. Release 2 rescue breaths. Check to make sure the chest is rising and falling.
Circulation: Find a pulse. If there is a pulse but no breathing, continue performing rescue breathing until an ambulance arrives. When there aren't any signs of circulation, you must start compressions. This will circulate blood to the organs to try to keep them viable. The process of performing chest compressions varies by the childs age.
Infants (under 1 year of age): Lay the forefinger and middle finger of one hand half an inch below the nipple line. Push down on the sternum so that the chest is depressed to 1 inch down. Allow the chest to rise to its regular position inbetween compressions. These compressions should be performed about 100 per min. Perform 5 compressions and then give 1 breath.
Kids ages one through eight: Lay the heel of one hand over the lower sternum. Push down on the sternum so that it goes 1 to 1 in. into the chest at about 100 compressions per minute. This evens out to a little less than two compressions each second. Allow the chest to rise to its regular position inbetween compressions. Do five compressions and then one breath.
Children over 8 years of age: This procedure is used for adults as well. Place both hands (on top of each other) over the lower sternum, interlocking the fingers. Push down on the sternum so that it goes 1 to 2 inches into the chest. Allow the chest to return to its regular position between compressions. Perform these compressions the same way as the one to eight year olds (100 per minute, 5 compressions to 1 breath).
Repeat the compressions & breathing 20 times followed by an assessment for breathing and circulation. Do them 20 more times if you don't find signs of breathing or circulation. Continue repeating this process until rescuers have arrived.
This guide is to be used simply as an informational resource, but it cannot replace hands-on CPR training. Please try to attend a CPR training course in your community.
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About the Author
Having eight children of his own, Chris Dunn loves writing articles about birth for his pregnancy website.
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