WRITTEN WORK # 2 1.
Assess the Situation:
Proper and Accurate CPR for Infants and Toddlers o Ensure the environment is safe.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for infants and o Check if the infant is responsive by
toddlers is a critical lifesaving skill tailored to their tapping the foot or gently shaking
unique anatomy and physiology. Performing CPR their shoulder while calling their
correctly can significantly improve survival rates in name.
emergencies like cardiac arrest, choking, or
drowning. Below is a detailed discussion on the 2. Check for Breathing:
proper methods and processes of CPR for infants
o Look, listen, and feel for normal
(under 1 year old) and toddlers (1–3 years old).
breathing for no more than 10
Key Differences Between Infant and Toddler seconds.
CPR
o If the infant is not breathing or only
Body Size and Strength: Infants are more gasping, proceed with CPR.
fragile, so compressions and breaths must be
gentler than for toddlers. 3. Call for Help:
Compression Technique: Use two fingers o If you are alone, perform CPR for 2
for infants versus one or two hands for minutes (about 5 cycles) before
toddlers depending on their size. calling emergency services.
Depth of Compression: Compress the o If someone is with you, ask them to
chest to about 1.5 inches (4 cm) for infants call for help while you start CPR.
and about 2 inches (5 cm) for toddlers.
4. Chest Compressions:
Airway Management: Extra care must be
o Place two fingers in the center of the
taken to ensure their smaller, more delicate
infant’s chest, just below the nipple
airways remain open.
line.
Comprehensive Discussion on Proper and
o Push down about 1.5 inches (4 cm) at
Accurate CPR for Infants and Toddlers
a rate of 100–120 compressions per
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for infants and minute.
toddlers is a critical lifesaving skill tailored to their
unique anatomy and physiology. Performing CPR o Allow the chest to fully recoil
correctly can significantly improve survival rates in between compressions.
emergencies like cardiac arrest, choking, or
5. Open the Airway:
drowning. Below is a detailed discussion on the
proper methods and processes of CPR for infants o Tilt the infant's head back slightly by
(under 1 year old) and toddlers (1–3 years old). placing one hand on the forehead
and lifting the chin with two fingers.
o Be careful not to overextend the
Key Differences Between Infant and Toddler neck.
CPR
6. Rescue Breaths:
Body Size and Strength: Infants are more
fragile, so compressions and breaths must be o Cover the infant’s nose and mouth
gentler than for toddlers. with your mouth to create a seal.
Compression Technique: Use two fingers o Give two gentle breaths, each lasting
for infants versus one or two hands for about 1 second, just enough to make
toddlers depending on their size. the chest rise.
Depth of Compression: Compress the o Avoid blowing too hard, which could
chest to about 1.5 inches (4 cm) for infants damage their lungs.
and about 2 inches (5 cm) for toddlers.
7. Continue CPR:
Airway Management: Extra care must be
taken to ensure their smaller, more delicate o Perform 30 compressions followed by
airways remain open. 2 rescue breaths.
o Repeat the cycle until professional
help arrives or the infant shows signs
Steps for CPR in Infants of life.
Steps for CPR in Toddlers Incorrect Compression Depth: Pressing
too shallowly reduces effectiveness; pressing
1. Assess Responsiveness: too deeply can cause injury.
o Tap the shoulder or gently shake the Overventilation: Blowing too forcefully can
child, calling their name. damage the lungs or cause air to enter the
stomach.
o Look for signs of responsiveness.
Delays in Starting CPR: Immediate action
2. Check for Breathing:
is critical to improve survival rates.
o Observe the chest, listen, and feel for
Failure to Allow Full Chest Recoil: This
normal breathing for up to 10
reduces the heart’s ability to refill with blood
seconds.
between compressions.
o If the toddler is not breathing, begin
CPR.
3. Call for Emergency Help: Important Notes
o If alone, perform CPR for 2 minutes Automated External Defibrillator (AED):
before calling emergency services. Use an AED as soon as it is available. Ensure
pads are appropriately sized for infants or
o If others are present, have them call toddlers and placed correctly.
immediately while you perform CPR.
Training and Practice: CPR is a skill that
4. Chest Compressions: requires proper training and regular practice
to ensure accuracy and confidence in an
o Place the heel of one hand (or both emergency.
hands if needed for larger toddlers)
on the center of the chest, just below Emergency Contact Numbers: Always
the nipple line. have local emergency numbers readily
available.
o Compress the chest about 2 inches (5
cm) deep at a rate of 100–120
compressions per minute.
By following these guidelines, caregivers and first
o Let the chest fully rise between responders can significantly enhance the likelihood of
compressions. a successful outcome during an emergency involving
infants and toddlers.
5. Open the Airway:
Preparation for CPR
o Use the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver,
ensuring a slight tilt to avoid blocking 1. Assess the Situation:
the airway.
o Ensure the environment is safe for
6. Rescue Breaths: you and the victim.
o Pinch the nose closed and cover the o Check if the person is responsive by
child’s mouth with yours to create a tapping their shoulders and shouting,
seal. "Are you okay?"
o Give two breaths, each lasting about 2. Check for Breathing:
1 second, and ensure the chest rises
with each breath. o Look, listen, and feel for normal
breathing for no more than 10
7. Repeat the Cycle: seconds.
o Perform 30 chest compressions o Gasping or no breathing indicates the
followed by 2 rescue breaths. need for CPR.
o Continue until the child revives or 3. Call for Help:
professional help arrives.
o If you’re alone, call emergency
services immediately before starting
CPR. Use speakerphone if possible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
o If others are present, instruct
someone to call emergency services
and retrieve an Automated External Perform continuous chest compressions at a
Defibrillator (AED). rate of 100–120 per minute without pausing
until emergency responders arrive.
Steps for CPR in Adults
1. Chest Compressions:
o Place the heel of one hand in the Using an Automated External Defibrillator
(AED)
center of the chest, between the
nipples. 1. Turn on the AED:
o Place the other hand on top and o Follow the voice prompts from the
interlock your fingers. device.
o Keep your shoulders directly above 2. Attach the Pads:
your hands, and use your body
weight to press straight down. o Place one pad on the upper right side
of the chest, just below the
o Compress the chest to a depth of at collarbone.
least 2 inches (5 cm), but not more
than 2.4 inches (6 cm). o Place the other pad on the lower left
side of the chest, a few inches below
o Perform compressions at a rate of the armpit.
100–120 per minute.
3. Follow AED Instructions:
o Allow the chest to fully recoil
between compressions. o Stand clear while the AED analyzes
the heart rhythm.
2. Open the Airway:
o If a shock is advised, ensure no one is
o Tilt the head back slightly by placing touching the victim and press the
one hand on the forehead and lifting shock button.
the chin with two fingers (head-tilt,
chin-lift maneuver). o Resume CPR immediately after the
shock, starting with chest
o Ensure the airway is clear of compressions.
obstructions like vomit, dentures, or
other objects.
3. Rescue Breaths: When to Stop CPR
o Pinch the nose shut and cover the The person starts breathing or shows other
person’s mouth with yours to create signs of life.
a seal.
A trained professional takes over.
o Give two breaths, each lasting about
1 second, and ensure the chest You are physically unable to continue due to
visibly rises with each breath. exhaustion.
o Avoid excessive force, which can The scene becomes unsafe.
cause air to enter the stomach.
4. Cycle of Compressions and Breaths:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
o Perform 30 chest compressions
followed by 2 rescue breaths. Incorrect Hand Placement: Pressing too
high or low can reduce effectiveness and risk
o Repeat this cycle until professional rib fractures.
help arrives or the person shows
Inadequate Compression Depth:
signs of life (e.g., moving, breathing).
Compressing too shallowly won’t circulate
blood; too deeply can cause injury.
Pausing for Too Long: Minimize
Hands-Only CPR (If You’re Untrained or
interruptions to compressions to maintain
Hesitant)
blood flow.
Skip the rescue breaths and focus solely on
Hyperventilation: Giving breaths that are
chest compressions.
too forceful or frequent can cause air to enter
the stomach and reduce lung efficiency.
Important Notes
CPR Training: Taking certified courses from
organizations like the Red Cross or American
Heart Association ensures confidence and
skill accuracy.
Protective Barriers: Use a CPR face shield
or mask if available to reduce risk during
rescue breaths.
Good Samaritan Laws: Most regions have
laws protecting those who provide CPR in
good faith during emergencies.
