Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique used to revive a person whose heart has stopped beating. It is an important skill to have and should be learned by everyone. It is especially important to learn the correct technique for providing CPR to an infant under 12 months old.
Understanding Infant CPR
Infant CPR requires some modifications to the standard CPR technique. It is important to remember that infants are more fragile than adults and require gentler, more precise movements. The infant’s chest should be pressed with only two fingers, and the pressure should be much lighter than for an adult. The infant’s airway should be cleared more often, and the breathing rate should be slower.
Steps for Administering CPR
- Make sure the infant is lying flat on a firm surface.
- Check for signs of life by feeling for a pulse and listening for breathing.
- If the infant is not breathing, give two rescue breaths.
- Begin chest compressions by placing two fingers in the center of the chest and pressing down 1-2 inches.
- Compressions should be done at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
- Give two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions.
- Continue CPR until help arrives or the infant begins to breathe on their own.
CPR is an important skill to know, and it is especially important to understand the correct technique for providing CPR to an infant under 12 months old. Knowing these techniques could help save a life.
