Emergency CPR for a baby under 12 months
It’s hard to think about, but being prepared for the worst could save the life of someone you love. Consider reading through the guide below or taking a first aid course at our Gold Coast centre.
CHECK FOR DANGER AND CALL 000
- Start by checking the area around the baby and remove any visible DANGERS to make the area safe.
- Check the baby’s RESPONSE by talking and touching them. Tickle their feet or under the arms.
- If the baby does not respond, SEND for help by calling 000 or 112 from a mobile phone
CHECK AIRWAY
- Assess the baby’s AIRWAY by looking in the mouth for foreign objects or vomit.
- If the baby has anything foreign in their mouth, roll them on to their side and clear the mouth with your little finger.
- Check for normal BREATHING by keeping their head in a neutral position and looking, listening and feeling for breath.If the child is breathing, place them on their side and monitor their breathing until arrival of emergency services.
Rescue Breathing & Chest Compressions
- If the baby is not breathing start CPR by placing two fingers or two thumbs in the centre of the chest at approximately mid nipple line. Compress the baby’s chest by ⅓ its depth, 30 times at the rate of two compressions a second.
- Once you have provided 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths by sealing your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose and puffing gently into the lungs until the chest rises. Continue to provide 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths until the baby begins to breathe normally or the emergency services tell you to stop.