Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help keep a person who isn’t breathing alive until paramedics arrive. It ensures blood flow, thus, doubling or even tripling a patient’s chances of survival.
However, performing CPR on an adult is very different from doing it on an infant or child. The reason is a child’s physiology – bone density, strength, and musculature- are different from that of a mature person. if you perform adult CPR on a child, you will cause more harm than good. This post seeks to differentiate the various types of CPR.
Adult CPR
Some of the things you should do before starting CPR include:
- Call 911
You’ll need to check for factors putting the patient in danger. It could be anything from an accident to a fire. Check the patient and see if they are conscious. Tap their shoulder and ask if they are OK. If they don’t respond, call 911 and have a bystander look for an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine if possible.
- Place the patient on their back and open their airways
Be careful when placing the person on their back then kneel beside the chest. Lift the chin and tilt the head back slightly. Check for any obstruction such as food and remove it, if loose. Push it further into the airway if not.
- Check for breathing
Place your ear over the mouth and listen for sounds of breathing. If you don’t hear anything during the first 10 seconds or only hear occasional gasps, start CPR. Do not perform CPR if the patient is unconscious and breathing.
Here are steps for actual CPR.
- Chest compressions
Place your hands in the center of the chest. Clasp them and straighten your elbows, then begin compressions. Push at least 2 inches deep and allow the chest to rise fully between compressions. Compress the chest 100 times per minute for optimal results.
- Rescue breaths
Tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin. With the patient’s nose pinched shut, place your mouth over theirs and blow. The chest should rise and if not, re-tilt the head and perform a second rescue breath. If you get the same results, it may be because the person is choking.
- Repeat
Perform 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths repeatedly until help arrives or the patient starts breathing again.
Infant and Child CPR
The preparation steps for infant and child CPR are similar to those of adult CPR. As for the actual CPR, you should start with two rescue breaths. Ensure that the child’s head is tilted backward and the chin raised. Pinch the nose and breathe into their mouth twice. If dealing with an infant, put them in a sniffing position and use your cheeks to puff air into their mouth and nose. Avoid using the full force of your lungs when providing rescue breaths to an infant.
Perform 30 chest compressions using one hand for a child and press down 2 inches at least 100 times per minute. Use two fingers for an infant to perform 30 chest compressions each 1.5 inches deep. Repeat the cycle until the child starts breathing or paramedics arrive.
The American Heart Association recognizes CPR as a life-saving first aid procedure. It improves the survival odds of a heart attack victim or in any heart-related emergency. Because of the variation in age and circumstances, getting CPR training is the best way to prepare for an emergency. Get in touch with us today for more information.
