CPR differs for infants, children, and adults. Those who take CPR courses and get certified learn this technique and its application for three categories.
This article will focus on the critical differences between CPR for infants, children, and adults. Let’s begin with understanding the concept of CPR and an overview of its application for infants, children, and adults.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR, the acronym for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a familiar concept for healthcare professionals. Many ordinary people, however, are not trained in this life-saving technique. In the event of sudden cardiac arrest, the victim needs to be provided with immediate CPR for survival. CPR helps supply blood and oxygen to the vital organs in the body. If such a victim receives CPR within the first 3 to 5 minutes, their survival chances increase. This life-saving technique is applied to people differently based on age.
Below is the standard procedure, but we would always recommend that you get appropriately certified to know everything in detail.
CPR for Infants
Babies with ages less than 12 months are eligible to receive CPR for infants, where great care needs to be taken. Babies have more delicate and flexible bones. First, check whether the baby is unconscious by tapping the soles of the infant’s feet. Begin CPR immediately if the pulse is not detected inside their upper arm. Gently provide rescue breathing after ensuring the infant's head is tilted to the correct position. While providing compressions, use only two fingers at the center of the infant’s chest. Use AED by applying pediatric pads, if available, and use it after five cycles of CPR.
CPR for Children
Children from the age group of 1 to 12 years are eligible to receive CPR for children. It is similar to adult CPR, but the rescuers should still begin CPR before calling 911. Being more resilient than adults, children have higher chances of survival if immediate CPR is provided. You should call 911 after two minutes of CPR and rescue breaths. A child's airway is more fragile than an adult’s, so carefully provide rescue breaths and do not tilt the head too far. Depending on the child's size, use one or two hands while providing chest compressions.
CPR for Adults
Call 911 immediately before beginning CPR on an adult. Check for a pulse before starting CPR and chest compressions. In case you’re not CPR-certified, you can follow the instructions about hands-only CPR from a 911 operator. You need to push hard and fast on the chest's center at 100-120 compressions per minute. Maintain the compression depth of at least two inches and ensure that the chest recoils entirely between compressions. A CPR-certified person can use the ratio of 30 compressions to two rescue breaths.
How is CPR for Infants Different?
Infants, children, and adults differ in physiology, musculature, bone density, and strength; hence, CPR is performed differently in each case. If you perform adult CPR on a child, it will do more harm than good. You must start CPR for infants immediately, even before calling 911. For adults, you can call 911 first and then start CPR. While providing rescue breathings to infants, you should not use the full force of your lungs. Instead, you can use just your cheeks to puff air into the mouth and nose of an infant. Compression depth should be about an inch and a half. Maintain a rate of 30 compressions to two rescue breaths.
Saving lives is not easy, but with proper knowledge and skills, you can definitely help people survive. Choose a CPR certification course with MyCPR NOW and boost your confidence to handle emergencies. Our courses teach you to provide CPR to infants, children, and adults.
