An Introduction to Paediatric CPR is essential for anyone responsible for the care or safety of children. Understanding how to respond when a child stops breathing can truly save a life. An Introduction to Paediatric CPR provides the foundation you need to recognise cardiac arrest in children and respond quickly, confidently, and effectively. In this section, we will explore the key steps involved, including how the approach changes depending on the age of the child.
What Is Paediatric CPR?
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving technique delivered when someone is unresponsive and not breathing. With children, the need for CPR can arise suddenly—after choking, injury, illness, or other causes. Therefore, knowing what to do is critical. While adult CPR focuses primarily on the heart, paediatric CPR places greater emphasis on breathing and oxygen delivery. This reflects the most common causes of cardiac arrest in children.
Age Groups and Adjustments
The technique for CPR varies based on the child’s age. For clarity, we divide children into three groups: infants (under one year), children (one to twelve years), and adolescents (thirteen to eighteen years). Although these age ranges offer a guideline, you won’t always know a child’s exact age in an emergency. So, choose the method that fits the size of the child in front of you.
For infants, use two thumbs for compressions. If that’s not effective, switch to using one hand, as you would for a small child. If necessary, use two hands for larger children or adolescents. The most important thing is to start CPR immediately and adjust your technique as needed.
Rescue Breaths and Chest Compressions
In many cases, combining chest compressions with rescue breaths offers the best chance of survival. However, if you cannot or choose not to give breaths, continuous chest compressions are still valuable. We will cover this method, along with how to hand over to a second rescuer without interruption, in upcoming videos.
Using an AED
Additionally, we’ll look at how to safely use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on children. AEDs are vital in cases where the heart has stopped. When used alongside CPR, they can significantly increase survival rates.
In Summary
Learning how to perform paediatric CPR is one of the most important skills you can acquire. It equips you to act fast and with confidence in critical moments. As you continue through this section, focus on mastering each step. Ultimately, this knowledge could make the difference between life and death.
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