For an Unconscious Baby or Child

 

Words you need to know

Abdomen
soft part of the body where the stomach is

A baby is under 1 year old. A child is between 1 and 8– but if the child is a big child, you can use adult CPR earlier. If you cannot remember how to do child/baby CPR, use the method as for an adult. Remember it is better to do‘something rather than nothing’!

VIDEO 11 - HOW TO DO CPR, CHEST PUMPS AND RESCUE BREATHS ON A BABY

Make sure that as far as possible, the casualty lies flat on his or her back.

Step 1: Rescue breaths

  1. If you cannot give rescue breaths because there is blood around the mouth and you have no face shield, give chest compressions only.
  2. Make sure the airway is open by placing one hand on the casualty’s forehead and two
    fingers of the other hand under the tip of his or her chin. Tilt the head back very gently.




  3. For a baby,lift the chin with the tips of your fingers.





  4. Check for breathing. If the child/baby is breathing normally, check for serious injuries, place the child/baby in the recovery position, and call for help.
  5. If the child/baby is not breathing normally, call for help.
  6. Look in the mouth and try to remove any visible object with a finger.
  7. Move the hand that was on the forehead down to the nose. Pinch the soft part of the casualty’s nose with the finger and thumb.
  8. Open the casualty’s mouth with the other hand. If you have a face shield or a mask, place it over the casualty’s mouth.

Take a deep breath.

Place your mouth over the casualty’s mouth,

making sure you have a good seal (i.e. that air cannot escape between your mouth and his or hers).

NOTE: For a baby, place your mouth over both the nose and mouth; if you are unable to get a good seal, place your mouth over the nose, and hold the baby’s mouth shut.

Breathe into the casualty’s mouth, whilst continuing to pinch the nose closed, for one second.

Give 5 initial rescue breaths. If you do not see the chest rise when you give these breaths, check the mouth again and remove any obstruction. Make sure the head is properly tilted/the chin is lifted. Try again to give 5 rescue breaths. If the baby or child does not start breathing, begin chest compressions.

Step 2: Chest compressions

Kneel down next to the casualty, or stand in the casualty is a baby and is on a table or other raised surface.


For a child, place one hand in the centre of the chest (you do not need to take off or move any clothes). Use one hand only for compressions, keeping your fingers raised so that you do apply pressure to the child’s ribs (if the child is older or bigger, you can use two hands, but keep your fingers raised). Be careful you are not pushing on the ribs, the bottom of the breastbone, or the abdomen. Press straight down so the chest goes down about the width of 3 fingers. Release the pressure, and allow the chest to rise completely, but do not take your hands off the chest.

For a baby under 1 year old, find the correct spot by placing two fingers on the breastbone one finger-width below the nipple-line (the line that would join the baby’s nipples). Take care not to press on the ribs, the tip of the breastbone or the abdomen. Press down with your fingertips very gently on the breastbone, so the chest goes down about the width of 2 fingers. Release the pressure, and allow the chest to rise completely, but do not take your fingers off the chest.

Give 30 chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute, followed by 2 rescue breaths, followed by 30 chest compressions, and so on. If you are alone, continue for one minute before leaving the child to call for help, or taking the baby with you to call for help.

VIDEO 12 - HOW TO DO CPR, CHEST PUMPS AND RESCUE BREATHS ON A CHILD