Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a method of providing oxygen and blood circulation for someone who is unconscious or not breathing. Children can need CPR as a result of a head injury, electrical shock, drowning, suffocating or choking. Medline Plus states that all those who care for children should learn how to perform child CPR. Hospitals and local chapters of the American Heart Association and American Red Cross offer courses, practice and certifications for CPR specifically for children.
Importance
It takes only minutes for permanent brain damage or death to occur if blood flow stops, according to Medline Plus. Brain damage occurs within four minutes without oxygen, and death can occur just four minutes after that. Responding quickly with a lifesaving technique such as CPR can help prevent brain damage or death in a child who may be unconscious or not breathing.
Before CPR
Before attempting CPR, check the child for responsiveness. According to KidsHealth, rubbing an infant's or child's chest can help determine responsiveness. If he is unconscious or not breathing, shout for help. If possible, have someone call for an ambulance. If no one else is available, begin CPR before you call for emergency medical care. Make sure the child is on his back before you begin CPR. If he is not on his back and you suspect he may have a spinal injury, have someone help you move him on his back to prevent his neck and spine from twisting. When he is on his back, lift his chin and place your hand down on his forehead to tilt his head up. Place your cheek over his mouth and feel for breathing. If you don't feel any breath, you are now ready to perform CPR.
Breathing
Breathing is the first part of CPR and delivers oxygen to lungs. Pinch the child's nose closed and cover her mouth with yours. Deliver two breaths, each until her chest rises slightly. Be careful not to breathe into her lungs too much. Her lungs are small and immature and cannot handle as much air as an adult's can.
Chest Compressions
Chest compressions circulate blood throughout the body and up into the brain. To perform chest compressions, place the heel of your palm on the child's breastbone, just below his nipples. Medline Plus suggests that you use your other hand to continue tilting back his head. Press into his chest firmly for a total of 30 fast compressions. Continue alternating between two breaths and 30 chest compressions for two minutes. If he is still unresponsive, pause CPR to call for help, then resume until help arrives.
Modified CPR
Modified CPR is used for a child that is unresponsive due to choking. For modified CPR, perform CPR the same way but do 30 chest compressions first. Babycenter suggests that you look into the child's mouth for the object she was choking on, and remove it if you can see it. Do two breaths into her mouth, and if her chest doesn't rise, do the compressions again.
