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CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a lifesaving technique that can be used to help revive someone who is not breathing or has a stopped heart. CPR involves compressing the chest of the victim and providing artificial respirations to keep the victim’s lungs inflated. When it comes to children, however, there is a modified set of steps, and it’s important to know the difference.
Why should you learn CPR?
First, CPR is an important skill to know for anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency. Learning CPR can help you save the life of someone who is in cardiac arrest, and it can also help to improve the chances of survival for someone who has suffered a heart attack.
CPR is typically taught in a course that lasts for a few hours, like an online CPR first aid class. The course will cover the basics to perform CPR, including how to identify someone who is in cardiac arrest and how to perform CPR on an adult, child, and infant. The course will also teach you how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
It is important to remember that CPR is not a substitute for medical care. If you are not trained in CPR, it is best to call 911 and let the professionals handle the situation. However, if you are trained in CPR and you are able to provide it to the victim, it could make the difference between life and death.
How does CPR on a child differ from CPR on an adult?
Performing CPR on a child is very similar to performing CPR on an adult. The main difference is that the child’s chest is much smaller, so you will need to use less force when you perform chest compressions. When giving CPR to a child, you should use two hands and compress the child’s chest at least one and a half inches deep. You should perform CPR on a child for two minutes before calling 911.
What are the steps to performing CPR on a child?
When a child falls victim to an unforeseen cardiac emergency, CPR can be critical. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the following steps for CPR on a child:
- Check to see if the child is responsive. If the child is not responsive, begin CPR.
- Place the child on his or her back on a firm surface.
- If the child is not breathing, give two rescue breaths.
- Place one hand on the child’s forehead and the other hand on the child’s chest.
- Push down on the child’s chest with enough force to compress the chest by about one-third of its depth.
- Repeat the compressions at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute.
- Continue CPR until the child begins to breathe on his or her own or until emergency help arrives.
What are the common causes of cardiac emergencies in children?
According to the AHA, each year almost 7,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest in the United States. While the cause of a cardiac emergency in a child can be many and varied, there are some common causes that parents should be aware of.
Some of the most common causes of cardiac emergencies in children are congenital heart defects, pneumonia, sepsis, and injuries. Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart that are present at birth. These defects can range from mild to life-threatening and can affect any part of the heart.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause difficulty breathing and, in some cases, lead to a cardiac emergency. Sepsis is a serious complication of an infection that can cause organ failure, including the heart. Injuries, such as those sustained in a car accident, can also lead to a cardiac emergency in a child.
Overall, if you think your child is experiencing a cardiac emergency, it is important to seek medical help right away. Knowing how to perform CPR the correct way can help parents to intervene on their child’s behalf until emergency help arrives.
