Resuscitation (Children) Warning! This is not a replacement for a first aid or CPR course, it is just a quick guide in first aid and CPR techniques. You should go to your local first aid organization and do a course in these life saving skills. Fortunately, it is rare for a child's heart to stop, but there are dangers in airway blockage and inadequate breathing. Artificial ventilation and chest compression can be performed on older children just as for adults, but they must be done slightly faster, and with lighter pressure. The techniques require some modifications for small children and babies. Calling for Help (Infant) If unresponsive, a lone rescuer should provide rescue breathing for one minute and then call 911 or your local emergency telephone number. This is in contrast to an adult where the ambulance is called first. Call first with adults. Call fast with infants and children. Checking for a baby's breathing Open the airway by gently lifting the chin and tilting the head. It helps to support the head slightly. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. A small pillow under the shoulders will let the head tilt back gently DO NOT, if clearing an obstruction with a finger, touch the back of a young child's throat. If the child is suffering from an infection of the airway, this can cause swelling and, possibly, total blockage. Checking for a baby's circulation It is difficult to feel the carotid pulse in an infant so, instead, use the brachial pulse. This is located on the inside of the upper arm, midway between shoulder and elbow. Keep the head tilted back. Place your index and middle fingers on the inside of the arm, and press lightly towards the bone. It may help to place your thumb on the outside of the arm. Feel for 5 seconds before deciding there is no pulse. Artificial ventilation for a baby Babies should be given artificial ventilation at twice the rate used for adults and children, using the mouth-to-mouth-and-nose technique. Make a tight seal around the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth, and breathe into the lungs until the chest rises. Let the chest fall. Continue giving breaths at a rate of 30, per minute. Chest compression If you cannot detect a pulse, apply chest compressions to the lower half of the breastbone. Use the adult technique for a child of school age; for babies and small children, modify the technique and rate as below. Remember that, in the absence of a pulse, chest compression must be combined with artificial ventilation. Lay the baby on a firm surface. To locate the correct position, imagine a line joining the baby's nipples. Place the tips of two fingers just below the mid-point of this line, and press at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, to a depth of 1.5-2.5cm (½ -1inch).Combine with artificial ventilation, giving three compressions to one breath. FOR A CHILD 1-8 YEARS Find the correct position on the chest as you would for an adult. Using one hand only, press at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, depressing the chest by 2.5-3.5cm (1-1½ inch's). Combine with artificial ventilations, giving three compressions to one breath. ------------------ These files may be accessed through the web at http://firstaid.ie.eu.org/ I would like to thank the IEASR for allowing me to convert their pages over to the Pilot. Mary Jo Sminkey maryjo@dogpatch.org http://www.dogpatch.org ------------------ DISCLAIMER: Information in these files is presented in order to impart general information relating to first aid of various injuries and conditions. Such information is not complete and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation or visit with your physician or other health care provider, or as a substiture for actual training in first aid and/or CPR. While all reasonable care has been taken in compiling this information, Mary Jo Sminkey and Irish Emergency Ambulance Services Resource (IEASR) make no warranty as to the information's completeness, reliability or accuracy. Access to and use of the information contained herein is entirely at the risk of the user, Mary Jo Sminkey and IEASR shall not be liable, directly or indirectly to the user or any third party for any damage resulting from the use of the information contained or implied in the Pilot First Aid files.