Infant CPR

CPR

  1. An Infant (Heartsaver) is described as 1 month to 1 year of age.
  2. When providing CPR on an infant only 2 fingers are used.
  3. The suggested rate for infant CPR is 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
  4. The suggested depth of compressions for infant CPR is 1.5 inches.

Make Sure the Scene is Safe and Check for Responsiveness:

  1. When you encounter an infant who may have a cardiac arrest, always ensure your own safety by making sure the scene is safe.
  2. Check for responsiveness by tapping their foot and shouting their name.

If the infant is unresponsive

  1. Shout for help!!!
  2. Check for breathing. Scan the chest for 5 to 10 seconds.
  3. Begin CPR, phone 911, and get an AED.
    1. If the infant is unresponsive AND breathing do not start CPR.
    2. When providing CPR to an infant you can put the phone on speaker mode while checking for breathing.
    3. Unresponsive + not breathing = provide CPR
    4. To provide adequate CPR, the victim must be on its back laying on a flat surface.

If you are alone and have a cell phone or phone nearby:

  1. Phone 911 - put the phone on speaker mode
  2. Begin CPR by giving 5 sets of 30 compressions, and 2  breaths. Go get an AED.

If you are alone and don't have a phone:

  1. Give 5 sets of 30 compressions and 2 breaths
  2. Go call 911 and get an AED.
  3. Return to the infant and continue CPR.

** If the infant is not visibly injured, Complete one set of compressions/breaths and then take the infant with you to call 911 and get an AED.

Continue CPR and using the AED until:

  1. Someone else arrives who can take turns providing CPR for you.
  2. The infant begins to move, cry, blink, or otherwise react.
  3. Someone with more advanced training arrives.

Breathing for an infant:

  1. To open the infant's airway, use the head tilt chin lift method.

  2. Mouth to mouth or mouth to nose - be sure to close the opposite that you are blowing into - i.e. Blowing into the nose? - Close the mouth.

  3. Each breath should only last about 1 second.

  4. Don't interrupt compressions for more than 10 seconds.

  5. If the breaths don't go in tilt the head back and try again.

  6. When using a pocket mask: ensure a complete and tight seal.

  7. When blowing into the mask/mouth/nose look for chest rising and falling.

Compressions on an infant:

  1. Use 2 fingers of 1 hand.
  2. Fingers are placed on the breastbone at the nipple line.
  3. Push straight down at least 1.5 inches depth of the chest.
  4. Give compressions at 100 to 120 rate (compressions/minute).
  5. ALWAYS COUNT COMPRESSIONS OUT LOUD.