Infant CPR

Precautions

Make sure that the scene is safe, and that you have the proper safety equipment (your gloves and your one-way valve rescue mask).

Ensure that your rescue mask fits the patient. Use the infant pocket mask. If you have an adult mask and you lack access to an infant mask, turn the mask upside down.

Steps

  1. Check for patient consciousness

   

  1. Place one had on the forehead and tap the patient. Watch for a response.
  2. Vocally call out to the patient. “Are you okay?”
    1. Activate emergency services or call 911/code.
    2. Check the patient’s breathing and heartbeat.

   

  1. Make sure to check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds using the brachial artery, not the carotid artery.

       1. Between the bicep and triceps

  1. Is there a pulse (>60 BPM) but no breathing? Give rescue breaths.
  2. Is there no pulse or a very slow one (<60 BPM)? Begin CPR.
    1. Locate the sternum--it is just below the mid-nipple line
    2. Start compressions

   

  1. Depth is 1/3 the depth of the chest
  2. 100-120 BPM
  3. Use two fingers to do compressions, rather than your palms.
  4. Use only a moderate amount of force while doing compressions--don’t lock your elbows and use your entire upper body weight
    1. After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths

   

  1. Cover the nose and the mouth, bring the infant’s head to a neutral position, and deliver two breaths
    1. Resume compressions. Continue this cycle until:

   

  1. The patient revives
  2. An AED arrives
  3. Emergency services arrive.