Performing CPR on a Child

No life can be replaced, but the life of a child is incomparable to all others. It is far too often that children are involved in accidents or suffer an emergency situation and the adults around them are unprepared. Child CPR helps to provide the security you need in the event of an emergency.

When the child’s heart has stopped, you have but a few minutes to keep the body alive. Child CPR is to provide children with the life support they need while you wait for medical assistance.

Child CPR Steps ( This is not a substitute for baby CPR training)

If someone is nearby ask them to quickly dial 911. If not, quickly dial 911 and then begin child CPR.

Gently and carefully position the child on their back. During this step you must be extremely cautious not to twist or move the spine, neck or head.

As you pinch the child’s nose shut maintain an open airway.

Make a seal around the child’s mouth with your mouth and give two long, short breaths by exhaling into the child’s mouth. You should see the chest rise, when it falls, begin the second breath.
If the child does not respond, administer CPR.

Gently feel the child’s chest to find the lower tip of the child’s breastbone. Take two fingers to measure the width toward the head of the child and position the heel of one of your hands in this location. Take your remaining hand and position it over your first hand and intertwine the fingers of your hands.

Lean forward so that the child’s shoulders are over your hand.

With the weight of your upper body push down on the child’s chest. Perform five chest compressions in three seconds.

After the fifth chest compression, administer one longer, slow breath.

Continue this cycle for 12 times total and then recheck the child’s breathing and pulse.

If there is no response, continue a 12 set cycle followed by checking the child’s breathing and pulse until help arrives.

Child CPR is something that each parent should not ignore; there are just too many situations that can be life threatening to a child.

Tips for performing CPR on children

For more information on child CPR contact the American Heart Association or the America Red Cross.

At all times, keep an open airway.

While administering rescue breaths to the child be sure the nose of the child is pinched shut.

Don’t give up! Without your life support that child can suffer brain damage or death.

As you breathe into the child’s mouth keep focused on the child’s chest to ensure that the chest rises.

This is an indication that your breaths are effective.

If the chest fails to rise, reposition the child by re-tilting the child’s head. If rescue breathing is still not productive, the airway of the child may be obstructed and you will have to clear the child’s airway.

Children’s lungs are smaller than adult lungs and you must be careful not to give breaths that are too large. Give rescue breathing that is just enough to rise the child’s chest gently.

If the child is suffering from a severe mouth injury, then keep the child’s mouth sealed and administer rescue breathing through the child’s nose.

Be cautious not to apply too much force during chest compressions.

If vomiting occurs gently turn the child to their side and wipe out the child’s mouth. Reposition the child to the supine position and continue mouth to mouth and chest compressions.

There is no substitution for baby CPR classes and each parent should consider enrollment in a child CPR class. The classes are not lengthy and can be completed in a few hours in the evening, online, in your own home, or on the weekends.