Cpr for Infants
CPR - infant
Email this page to a friend Share on facebook Share on twitter Bookmark & Share Printer-friendly version
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when someone 's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after drowning, suffocation, choking, or other injuries. CPR involves:
• Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to the lungs.
• Chest compressions, which keep the blood flowing.
Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue these procedures until the infant 's heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.
This article discusses CPR done on an infant.
Considerations
CPR can be lifesaving, but it is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The procedures described here are not a substitute for CPR training.
All parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR if they haven 't already. See www.americanheart.org for classes near you.
The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway, reversing long-standing practice.
Causes
There are many things that cause an infant 's heartbeat and breathing to stop. Some reasons you may need to do CPR on an infant include:
• Choking
• Drowning
• Electrical shock
• Excessive bleeding
• Head trauma or serious injury
• Lung disease
• Poisoning
• Suffocation
Symptoms
CPR should be done if the infant has the following symptoms:
• No breathing
• No pulse
• Unconsciousness
First Aid
The following CPR steps are based on instructions from the American Heart Association.
1. Check for alertness. Shake or tap the infant gently. See if the infant moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?"
2. If there is no response, shout for help. Tell someone to call 911 or your local emergency number. Do not leave the infant yourself to call 911 until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.
3. Carefully place
Email this page to a friend Share on facebook Share on twitter Bookmark & Share Printer-friendly version
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when someone 's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after drowning, suffocation, choking, or other injuries. CPR involves:
• Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to the lungs.
• Chest compressions, which keep the blood flowing.
Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue these procedures until the infant 's heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.
This article discusses CPR done on an infant.
Considerations
CPR can be lifesaving, but it is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The procedures described here are not a substitute for CPR training.
All parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR if they haven 't already. See www.americanheart.org for classes near you.
The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway, reversing long-standing practice.
Causes
There are many things that cause an infant 's heartbeat and breathing to stop. Some reasons you may need to do CPR on an infant include:
• Choking
• Drowning
• Electrical shock
• Excessive bleeding
• Head trauma or serious injury
• Lung disease
• Poisoning
• Suffocation
Symptoms
CPR should be done if the infant has the following symptoms:
• No breathing
• No pulse
• Unconsciousness
First Aid
The following CPR steps are based on instructions from the American Heart Association.
1. Check for alertness. Shake or tap the infant gently. See if the infant moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?"
2. If there is no response, shout for help. Tell someone to call 911 or your local emergency number. Do not leave the infant yourself to call 911 until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.
3. Carefully place
References: Hazinski MF, Samson R, Schexnayder S. 2010 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers. Dallas, Tx: American Heart Association; 2010.