Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly referred to as CPR, is a lifesaving technique that involves two components. Mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing combined with chest compressions can help save a life. Children, adults and infants require different techniques when it comes to rescue breathing and chest compressions. Child CPR refers to lifesaving techniques performed on people between the ages of 1 and 8. Contact the American Heart Association or your local medical center to sign up for an accredited CPR course.
Situations
Accidents and medical emergencies such as automobile and water-related accidents can result in a child's inability to breathe without assistance. MedlinePlus warns that children can drown in just a few inches of water, making it vitally important to keep a close eye on children whenever they are near water.
Purpose
The University of Maryland Medical Center urges parents and caregivers to obtain formal CPR training through accredited courses. Permanent brain damage can begin after four minutes without oxygen, while death can occur within another four to six minutes. Performing rescue breathing as soon as possible to restore oxygen to the blood can help save a child's life. Chest compressions can help circulate the oxygenated blood in children whose hearts stop beating.
Method
MayoClinic.com recommends following the ABC method of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A stands for airway, B is for breathing, and C is for chest compressions. When performing CPR, tilt the child's head backward to open the airway. After listening for breathing sounds and observing the chest for inhalations, begin mouth-to-mouth breathing by pinching the nostrils shut and sealing your open mouth over the child's open mouth. MayoClinic.com recommends giving an initial breath to see whether the child's chest rises. You might need to repeat the maneuver to open the airway if the chest fails to rise. Rescue breathing for children requires gentler breaths than breathing performed on adult victims.
Other Actions
In addition to opening the airway and performing rescue breathing, children without a heartbeat might require chest compressions. MedlinePlus advises giving two rescue breaths before performing chest compressions. Chest compressions involve keeping one hand on the child's forehead to keep it tilted back while placing the other hand over the child's breastbone, pressing to compress the chest to about one-third to one-half its normal depth. Give 30 fast and hard chest compressions without pausing, and then follow with two more rescue breaths.
Precautions
Individuals without training in CPR might not know how to respond in a life or death emergency that involves a child and may accidentally cause additional harm to an injured child. MedlinePlus warns that performing chest compressions on a child who is breathing or coughing might cause the heart to stop. Prepare yourself for a possible emergency by obtaining formal CPR training, especially if you spend time around children.
