Let’s learn on how to perform CPR on an adult and an infant. CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR helps keep blood and oxygen flowing to the heart and brain when the heart stops.

How to perform CPR on an Adult and an Infant.

How to perform CPR on an Adult

If, after performing the primary survey (assess the scene look around make sure the scene is safe. If there are safety hazards, a chemical spill, electrical wires, gas fumes or anything dangerous you can’t help anyone if you become a victim too.), you find someone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call for help.

Ask someone to call or and ask them to bring an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if one is available, while you begin CPR immediately.

If you’re on your own make the call yourself, ideally by using a mobile on speakerphone so that you can begin as soon as possible. You will need to start with

• Chest compressions.
  • Kneel down beside the casualty’s chest.
  • Place one hand at the center of the chest.
  • Place the heel of the other hand on top and interlock your fingers to lift them off the ribs and press down on the chest of the casualty.
  • Release the pressure, allow the chest to come back up without removing your hands from the chest.
  •  Repeat this to give chest compressions at a rate of two beats per minute.
•  After chest compressions you need to give rescue breaths. If you have not been trained or are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths, continue with chest compressions only until help arrives or if the casualty becomes responsive.
  • To give rescue breaths make sure the airway is open by tilting the head back with one hand on the forehead and two fingers under the chin.
  • Pinch the soft part of the nose and allow their mouth to fall open, but maintain chin lift. Take a deep breath and seal your mouth around theirs. Blow steadily into their mouth, while watching for the chest to rise taking about one second as in normal breathing.
  •  Remove your mouth from theirs, keeping the airway open and watch their chest fall. Give them two rescue breaths like this.
  • Continue to alternate chest compressions and two rescue breaths. If someone can help you perform CPR you can swap over every one to two minutes with minimal interruption to chest compressions. After 30 compressions, open the airway again and give 2 rescue breaths.
• Do not interrupt CPR unless;
  • A Health professional tells you to stop.
  • You become exhausted.
  • The casualty/victim has begun responding, waking up, opening eyes, moving or breathing normally.
•  If there’s someone there who can help if they have brought you an AED ask them to turn it on and follow the instructions while you continue CPR until emergency help arrives and takes over.
•  If they do start breathing normally again place them in the recovery position, monitor them and prepare to start CPR again if necessary.
• So, remember if you come across an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call for help. Ask someone to call 999 or 112 for emergency help and ask them to bring an AED.
• In case you are on your own make the call yourself ideally by using a mobile on speakerphone so you can begin chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths and continue giving chest compressions and rescue breaths until help arrives or they become responsive.
• If an AED is available continue CPR while instructions from the device are followed by your helper.

How to perform CPR on an Adult and an Infant.

How to Perform CPR on an infant

How to perform CPR on an infant we do many of the same steps we just learned for adult the CPR cycle is the same for everyone 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Check the scene for safety first

• Check that the airway is open;
  • Once you’ve assessed that the infant is not breathing (tilt the infant’s head gently and lift the chin with two fingers to ensure the airway is open) and is not alert in any way, you need to call for help and that’s very important. No Response Call immediately.

NB: The infant should be lying on a firm flat surface. If the infant is lying on their stomach, turn them over onto their back.

• Begin with 5 initial rescue breaths;
  • Take a deep breath and seal your mouth around theirs. Blow steadily into their mouth, while watching for the chest to rise taking about one second as in normal breathing.
  •  Remove your mouth from theirs, keeping the airway open and watch their chest fall. Give them five rescue breaths like this.
• Administer 30 Chest Compressions;
  • Place two fingers in the middle of the baby’s chest just below the nipple line give compressions by pressing straight down about an inch and half push hard and fast at least 30 compressions per minute let the chest rise all the way back up. After each push give two breaths by putting your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose gently give enough breath to make the baby’s chest rise keep alternating two breaths and thirty compressions until the baby responds or trained help arrives.

NB; Repeat 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths (30:2) for one minute.

Perform CPR on an infant (30:2) until emergency help arrives.

If you have no prior training or unable to give recue breaths. You can give chest compressions only.

Food for Thought;

Thousands of adults, infants and children are saved every year because someone knew CPR and started it right away. Knowing how to Perform CPR on an Adult and an Infant can help prevent brain damage in the victim if they stop breathing. Take sometime to learn first aid and CPR. It saves lives and it works.

To learn more about our CPR and AED Training or to purchase an AED with pediatric capabilities, visit medswift.co.ke or contact us. You can also email us at info@medswift.co.ke