Healthcare Provider BLS Certification | Child CPR

Assess Child Victim - Call 911

For the purposes of CPR, a victim is considered a child from the age of 1 until the onset of puberty. Children go into cardiac arrest for different reasons than adults. Child victims generally suffer Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest which is caused by a lack of oxygen (Respiratory Arrest). Ventilations are extremely important in pediatric resuscitation. You must move quickly because the victim is in need of oxygen.

Determine Responsiveness and Activate EMS

When you observe the child victim, the first thing to do is determine if he or she is conscious. To do this simply shake the victim and ask loudly; “Are you okay?” Look, Listen and Feel for signs of normal breathing. Ignore agonal/gasping breaths. If no response and the victim is not breathing, act immediately. If you witness the collapse and are alone with no mobile phone, leave the victim to activate the emergency response system and get the AED (if available) before returning to your victim and beginning CPR as quickly as possible. If you did not witness the collapse, provide 2 minutes of CPR before leaving the victim to activate 911. If you are not alone have someone else activate EMS immediately. Single someone out and instruct him or her to “CALL 911, tell them we have an unconscious victim, and come back. Do you understand?” If they do not respond, be sure to send someone else.

Assessment

To check for signs of circulation, find the carotid artery and check for a pulse for a full 10 seconds. The carotid can easily be found in the victim's neck. It is about an inch away from the cricoid cartilage in a depression on the side of the neck. Also, look for other signs of circulation such as movement and color.