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CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for child age 1 to 8 years

Considerations:

CPR can be lifesaving, but it is best performed by those who have been trained in a CPR course. The procedures described here are not a substitute for CPR training.

Time is very important when dealing with an unconscious person who is not breathing. Death can occur in 8 to 10 minutes and brain death begins after 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen.

Symptoms:



Do not:

  • DO NOT give chest compressions if there is a heartbeat; doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.
  • DO NOT move the child's head or neck to check for breathing if a spinal injury is suspected.



Call Your Healthcare Provider if:

  • you are not alone--have one person call the local emergency number while another person begins CPR.
  • you are alone--shout for help and begin CPR.



First Aid:

1. Check for consciousness. Shake or tap the child gently. See if the child moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?"

2. If there is no response, shout for help.

3. Roll the child onto their back on a hard surface, keeping the back in a straight line, firmly supporting the head and neck. Expose the chest.

4. Kneel next to the child with your knees against the child's side. Lift the child's chin while tilting the head back to move the tongue away from the windpipe. If a spinal injury is suspected, pull the jaw forward without moving the head or neck. Don't let the mouth close.

5. Place your ear close to the child's mouth and watch for chest movement. For 5 seconds, look, listen, and feel for breathing.

6. If the child is not breathing, begin rescue breathing. Maintain the head position, close the child's nostrils by pinching them with your thumb and index finger, and cover the child's mouth tightly with your mouth. Give two breaths.

7. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and give two more breaths. If the chest still doesn't rise, the child's airway is blocked. Follow instructions for choking (for unconscious adult or child over 1 year) .

8. If the child's chest does rise, place two fingers on the child's Adam's apple. Slide your fingers into the groove between the Adam's apple and the muscle on the side of their neck to feel for a pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.

9. If the child has a pulse, give one breath every 3 seconds. Check the pulse after every 20 breaths

10. Call the local emergency number or have someone else make the call if possible. Begin giving breaths and checking the pulse.

11. If the child has no pulse , begin chest compressions. Maintain the head position and place the heel of your hand two finger-widths above the lowest notch of the child's breastbone.The long axis of the heel of your hand should be over the long axis of the breastbone. Lean your shoulder over your hand and quickly press about 1 to 11/2 inches into the child's chest five times. Give the compressions in a smooth, rhythmic manner, keeping your hand on the child's chest. Don't rock back and forth - push straight down. Don't pause between compressions

12. Give the child one breath, followed by five chest compressions. Count aloud as you pump in a fairly rapid rhythm. You should pump about 80 to 100 times a minute (Count 1 and 2 and 3...).

13. Repeat this sequence 10 times. Recheck the child's pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.

14. Repeat steps 12 and 13 until the child's pulse resumes or help arrives. If the pulse resumes, go to step 9.

Prevention:

Never underestimate what a child can do--play it safe and assume that the child is more mobile and more dexterous than you thought possible. Think ahead to what the child may get into next, and be ready. Climbing and squirming are to be expected. Always use safety straps on high chairs and strollers.

Recognize what is age-appropriate for children - especially when choosing toys. Don't give small children toys that are heavy or fragile or that have batteries or small parts.

Create a safe environment and supervise children carefully - particularly around water and near furniture. Dangers such as electrical outlets, stove tops, and medicine cabinets are attractive to small children. Inspect toys for fragility, small or loose parts, sharp edges, projectiles, and other hazards.

Choose non-toxic paints, markers, or crayons .

Teaching can be an important prevention:

  • Teach your child the meaning of "No!"
  • Teach your children the basic principles of fire safety .
  • Teach your child to swim.
  • Teach your child pedestrian safety and bicycle safety.