Last Updated On: octubre 29, 2024
When a child suddenly collapses, becomes unresponsive, and does not breathe, a quick intervention by a lay responder can save his life. They can provide basic life support, including CPR, to sustain a life until medical help arrives.
More than 7,000 children experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually in the U.S. alone. Therefore, performing CPR within the first few significantly improves the chances of survival.
In this blog, we will suggest key tips and techniques for administering CPR for children, which will help you develop essential skills to respond effectively in critical moments.
CPR can vary based on the age of the child. Therefore, lay responders should know how to adjust their technique for infants, toddlers, and older children. Following are the main CPR techniques for children based on their age group:
Each age group requires specific CPR techniques to address their unique anatomical and physiological differences. Understanding these variations ensures effective intervention in critical situations. Below mentioned are some of the differences between child and adult CPR:
| Aspect | Adult CPR | Child CPR |
| Compression Depth | About 2 inches deep | About 1.5 inches deep |
| Compression Rate | 100 to 120 compressions per minute | 100 to 120 compressions per minute |
| Rescue Breaths Ratio | 30 compressions to 2 breaths | 30 compressions to 2 breaths (if alone); 15:2 (if with help) |
| Technique for Compressions | Use both hands | Use your hands, but keep in mind the size of the child |
| Technique for Rescue Breaths | Breaths should be delivered with enough force to visibly raise the chest. | Breaths should be gentler to avoid overinflating the lungs; just enough air should be given to see a rise in the chest |
| Position | Lay the adult on their back | Lay the child on their back |
CPR is a method that involves rescue breaths and chest compressions. It helps keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and other vital organs when the heart stops. For children, CPR techniques are slightly different from those used on adults, so it’s important to understand the right approach.
You should perform CPR if a child is unresponsive, not breathing, only gasping, or has no pulse or a weak pulse (although checking for a pulse can be difficult without training). Let us look at some essential tips to perform CPR on children (1-12 years old):
Before you start CPR, ensure that the environment is safe. Look for any immediate dangers, such as fire or electrical hazards. Once the area is safe, check if the child is responsive. If the child does not respond, call for help immediately.
If the child is unresponsive, call your local emergency number right away or ask someone else to call. If you are alone and do not have a phone, start pediatric CPR immediately and call emergency services after two minutes of CPR.
To check if the child is breathing, lay the child flat on their back. Next, raise the chin and incline the head back a little. This helps open the airway. Check for normal breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for no more than 10 seconds. If the child is not breathing normally, you need to start CPR.
Chest compressions are the critical component of CPR. They help move blood to the brain and other vital organs. To give chest compressions, place the heel of one hand on the center of the child’s chest, between the nipples.
If the child is older or larger, you can use both hands. Press down hard and fast, and then push the chest down about 2 inches deep. Allow the chest to rise back to its normal position after each compression. Apply 30 compressions at a speed of between 100 and 120 per minute.
Try to give 2 rescue breaths after 30 compressions. You can do this by following these steps:
Ensure to continue CPR until the child starts breathing normally or emergency medical help arrives and takes over.
Maintaining composure during pediatric emergencies is vital for delivering effective care. Specific strategies can help caregivers manage stress and focus on the task at hand. Here are some pointers to keep your composure:
Awareness of frequent errors in child CPR can increase its effectiveness during emergencies. Avoiding these mistakes facilitates appropriate care when it matters most. Following are the points you must keep in mind when performing CPR on a child:
Once you are aware of child emergency tips, you can call for advanced medical assistance in time. Quick decisions can significantly impact the child’s chances of recovery and overall outcome. Here are some situations when you should call for emergency services:
CPR is an essential skill for parents, caregivers, and anyone responsible for children’s safety. Thus, Knowing the child’s CPR differences is not enough; you should also know how to perform it. Quick, decisive action during an emergency can be life-saving.
Therefore, everyone should enroll in a certified CPR course. These courses provide hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the procedure so that you can handle emergencies confidently and perform CPR for children effectively. Moreover, when conducting CPR, make sure you do not make any pediatric CPR mistakes. Doing so can lead to unwanted issues.
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