How to Perform Paediatric CPR
In a cardiac emergency involving a child or infant, quick action is absolutely essential. Although How to Perform Paediatric CPR includes some key differences compared to adult CPR, the most important thing is to act. According to the latest Resuscitation Council guidelines, if you are trained only in adult CPR, it is still appropriate—and effective—to use the adult Basic Life Support sequence. Doing something is always far better than doing nothing.
Step 1: Ensure the Area Is Safe
First and foremost, check your surroundings. Scan the area for hazards like traffic, fire, or sharp objects. Make sure it is safe to approach before assisting the child or infant.
Step 2: Check for Responsiveness
Approach the child calmly and speak clearly. Tap their shoulder and call out: “Are you OK?” For an infant under one year old, gently tap the sole of the foot instead. You are looking for any response—movement, sound, or eye opening.
Step 3: Call for Help Immediately
If there’s no response, shout for help straight away. Ask someone nearby to call 999, put the phone on speaker, and fetch an AED if available. If you are alone, call 999 yourself using speakerphone and stay with the child. The operator will guide you through the next steps.
Step 4: Check for Breathing
- Open the airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift technique.
- Be especially careful with infants—tilt the head only slightly to avoid blocking the airway.
- Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
If the child is not breathing normally or is only gasping, begin CPR immediately.
Step 5: Start CPR Using Adult Sequence if Necessary
Even if you have not learned How to Perform Paediatric CPR specifically, you should follow the adult-style sequence if that’s what you’ve been trained in. Here’s how:
- Give 5 initial rescue breaths. For older children, pinch the nose and blow into the mouth. For infants, cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth and blow gently.
- Then begin chest compressions. Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest. For older children or larger bodies, use both hands. For infants, place both thumbs side by side just below the nipple line and wrap your fingers around the torso for support.
- Push down to one-third of the chest depth.
- Compress at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute—about two every second.
- Let the chest rise fully after each compression to allow the heart to refill with blood.
Continue with 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. Repeat this cycle until the child starts breathing, help arrives, or you can no longer continue due to exhaustion.
Step 6: Use the AED as Soon as It Arrives
As soon as an AED becomes available, switch it on and follow the voice prompts. Use paediatric pads if you have them, placing one on the front of the chest and one on the back. If only adult pads are available, still use them. Place them in the same position, ensuring they do not overlap.
If the child weighs less than 25 kg, adjust the front pad slightly to the left side of the chest. Continue CPR while attaching the AED if possible. Resume compressions immediately after the AED analyses or delivers a shock.
Key Points to Remember
- Always check for safety before approaching.
- Call 999 immediately and put the phone on speaker.
- Give 5 rescue breaths first—especially important for children and infants.
- Continue with 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths at 100–120 per minute.
- Use the AED as soon as it becomes available.
- Never delay starting CPR—any attempt is better than doing nothing.
Learning How to Perform Paediatric CPR gives you the tools to act confidently during an emergency. Even if your only training is in adult CPR, you can still save a child’s life. Act fast, stay calm, and keep going until help arrives.
Leave a Reply