Richa Madaan

Author
Richa Madaan

How to Perform CPR on a Child: A Helpful Guide

  Jan 17, 2024
Reviewed by Ravinder Kaur

Are you looking for a quick guide on how to perform CPR on a child?

If you have kids, you need to know how to save them if they’re in danger. The sooner, the better, because sometimes these things happen quickly and unexpectedly. Knowing what to do can be the difference between life and death.

By learning this skill, you’ll have one less thing to worry about! If you’re confident that you can do this, read on for a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Preparing Yourself and the Scene

First, ensure that the child is in a safe environment. Scan the area for obstructions and clear the area to make space for the rescue. Make sure that you have the necessary supplies to perform CPR, such as gloves and a pocket mask, with you. 

Finally, call for help if no one is nearby or ask someone to call for help. If available, get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). With all of these steps, you are now prepared how to do CPR on the child.

Administering Breaths to the Child

The adult should first tip the child’s head back and tilt the chin up while using two fingers to pinch the nostrils shut. Ensure that the mask or face shield completely covers the child’s mouth and nose and firmly presses the mask against their face.

Apply two rescue breaths, each with a one-second pause between them. During each breath, the chest of the child should be gently pushed inwards. The breaths must be sufficiently strong enough to make the chest rise and fall. 

Continuing CPR Until Help Arrives

Performing CPR on a child should be taken seriously anytime a child requires CPR. Depending on their age, CPR is performed a little differently. If their age is 12 or under, their chest should be pushed at a depth of 1.5-2 inches per push.

This is about twice as much as for an adult. The chest should be pushed at a rate of 100-120 pushes per minute, and each press should be followed with a breath. The breaths can be done over the child’s nose and mouth.

Until help arrives, continue to provide chest compressions and breaths in the same manner and remain focused on the task at hand. Also, don’t forget to stay with the child and continue to provide support until help arrives so the emergency personnel can take over.

Get First Aid Certification

In order to perform CPR on a child and get first aid certification, one must have the proper training, knowledge, and resources in order to do it safely and properly. In order to obtain CPR First Aid BBP certification, individuals can participate in an accredited first aid course, which usually includes instruction in infant/child CPR and other life-saving emergency first aid protocols.

The course may also include information on the latest trends and emergency care, as well as hands-on training in the use of a defibrillator and another emergency medical equipment.

Learn More About How to Perform CPR on a Child

CPR is a simple skill that can be learned quickly and can save a life. After reading this helpful guide, you now have a better idea of how to perform CPR on a child. For more information, it is recommended to take a certification course so that you can feel confident to help someone in need.

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