Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help save a life during a cardiac or breathing emergency no matter one’s age, so we encourage all parents to take a CPR class to make sure they are prepared in case of an emergency. Click here to find a CPR class near you and use this step-by-step guide from The American Red Cross for performing CPR on a child or an infant.
Print this guide here.
Step One: Kneel beside the child or baby.
In the event of a cardiac or breathing emergency, the first step is to kneel beside the child or baby.
Step Two: Push hard, push fast.
For children, place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, then place the heel of the other hand on top of the first hand, and lace your fingers together. Deliver 30 quick compressions that are each about 2 inches deep.
For infants, use 2 fingers to deliver 30 quick compressions that are each about 1.5 inches deep.
Step Three: Give 2 rescue breaths
After the compressions, two rescue breaths should be given. These rescue breaths will help restore oxygen to the victim’s body.
Step Four: Keep going.
Continue these baby or child CPR steps until you see obvious signs of life, like breathing, or until an AED is ready to use, another trained responder or EMS professional is available to take over, you’re too exhausted to continue, or the scene becomes unsafe.
It is important to keep in mind that CPR is not a substitute for professional medical care. Rather, it is a temporary measure that can sustain life until professional medical help arrives. Therefore, it is essential to call emergency services as soon as possible and get the victim to a hospital for proper medical care.
CPR Resources
To learn more about what to do before performing CPR, the American Red Cross provides information on its website on child and infant CPR. The information provided includes what to do in the event of an emergency, how to identify the signs of cardiac arrest, and what to do after performing CPR. Additionally, they have videos available that demonstrate the child and infant CPR steps so that parents can see what they should do in a real-life scenario.
In conclusion, parents should be prepared for any emergency, including cardiac or breathing emergencies in children and infants. Learning CPR techniques can help save a life and provide peace of mind in the event of an emergency. By taking CPR classes and learning about child and infant CPR, parents can be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise. At Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado, we are ready to assist parents with any child or baby scare, so you don’t have to go it alone.