Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required when a child stops breathing until normal breathing resumes in order to help circulate oxygen to the vital organs. Learning the protocol could quite literally save a child's life.
Initial Breaths
Firstly dial 999 / 112 stating your location and that a child has stopped breathing. Then deliver five gentle breaths into the child's mouth, with the head tilted back and nose pressed shut. Make sure there is a gap in between breaths, where your face pulls away from the child’s face.
Look out for the chest rising up and down which is a sign the breaths are working
Chest compressions
Deliver 30 chest compressions in the centre of the child’s chest at a speed of between 100 - 120 compressions per minute, and at a depth of 4-5 cm. Use one hand to deliver the chest compressions and do not be afraid to push hard as the child will need strong compressions in order to survive.
Tip - slide your hand under the armpit and then draw your hand back until it's in the centre of the chest
Ratio
Next deliver two rescue breaths in the same way the initial breaths were delivered. Then continue with a ratio of 30:2 until medical professionals take over, normal breathing resumes or if you become too exhausted to continue.
Extra help could be beneficial particularly when taking turns with chest compressions
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