Pediatric CPR: A Step-By-Step Guide

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR for short, is a common life-saving procedure that many people learn about as a first-aid during emergencies. It is a helpful technique done when a person encounters another drowning or having a heart attack, that causes the lungs and heart to stop breathing and beating, respectively. Kids may need pediatric CPR.

Pediatric CPR is usually done through the combination of chest pumping (compressions) and rescue (mouth-to-mouth) breathing to help move blood from the heart to the body and oxygen to the lungs.

Understanding How the Lungs and the Heart Work Together

The lungs’ job is to take in (inhale) oxygen-rich air, which is essential for survival. Meanwhile, it is the heart’s responsibility to pump blood to the lungs and throughout the body.

Indicators a Child Needs Pediatric CPR

Pediatric CPR is closely similar to the CPR done in adults, except that this kind often involves children from 1 to 8 years old. The pediatric age also ranges from infancy to late adolescence (0 to 18 years old). So those who are in their teen years are also included in the same category.

If the child shows any of the following signs and indicators, pediatric CPR should be performed:

• Not breathing
• No pulse rate
• Unconsciousness

The heartbeat and breathing of a child may stop due to a variety of reasons, which may include the following:

• Drowning
• Choking
• Poisoning
• Lung disease
• Excessive bleeding
• Electrical shock
• Head trauma or other serious injuries
• Suffocation

How To Do Pediatric CPR

An easy way to keep in mind what to do during an emergency is to remember and follow three easy steps with the acronym CAB:

C – Do Chest Compresssions

A – Check the Airway

B – Do rescue Breathing

Below is a detailed step-by-step procedure that a person must follow in executing pediatric CPR:

1. Gently tap the child to check for alertness. Examine how the child is moving or making a noise. You may shout to ask if the child is alright.
2. If the child does not respond, immediately call the hospital or any local emergency number that can bring an ambulance as soon as possible. You must not leave the child alone until you have executed the CPR procedure for two minutes straight.
3. Place the child on their back with caution. If there is a possibility that the child has a spinal injury, the child should be moved by two persons to avoid twisting the head and neck in the wrong direction.
4. After which, you may begin performing the chest compressions.

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