How to Perform Paediatric Basic Life Support

Summary

This video provides a detailed guide on managing pediatric cardiac arrest, focusing on the steps of Basic Life Support (BLS) for infants. It covers key actions such as ensuring safety, checking responsiveness, assessing breathing, and performing rescue breaths and chest compressions. The video also highlights the importance of using appropriate techniques based on the child’s size and age. By demonstrating how to conduct CPR in a calm and effective manner, the guide aims to help medical professionals act quickly and confidently in life-threatening emergencies, ultimately saving young lives in critical situations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cardiac arrest in pediatric patients is rare but requires prompt, effective action when it occurs.
• 😀 Pediatric patients are classified into three age groups: newborns, infants (under 1 year), and children (1-18 years).
• 😀 The first step in managing a pediatric cardiac arrest is to ensure the environment is safe for both the rescuer and the child.
• 😀 If the child is unresponsive, shout for help and ensure emergency medical services are contacted immediately.
• 😀 In cases of suspected hypoxia, open the airway using a head tilt-chin lift to assess the child's breathing.
• 😀 Look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing within 10 seconds to determine if further action is needed.
• 😀 If the child is not breathing or is breathing abnormally, begin rescue breaths with the head tilt-chin lift position.
• 😀 Perform 5 rescue breaths ensuring visible chest rise, and check for signs of life after completing the breaths.
• 😀 For chest compressions, use the appropriate method based on the child's size (thumbs for infants, heel of hand for older children).
• 😀 Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, and alternate rescuers if more than one is available.
• 😀 CPR should continue until the child shows signs of life, medical help arrives, or the rescuer becomes exhausted.

Q & A

What are the main age classifications used in pediatric cardiac arrest management?

The main age classifications are newborns, infants (less than 1 year old), and children (aged 1 to 18 years old).

Why is it important to differentiate between the ages of pediatric patients in cardiac arrest management?

Differentiating between ages is crucial because the techniques for life support vary based on the size and development of the child. This ensures the most effective and safe resuscitation procedures are applied.

What should you do if the infant responds to your stimulus during a cardiac arrest situation?

If the infant responds by moving or speaking, they do not need further basic life support. You should leave them in their current position, ensuring they are not in danger, and check their condition regularly.

What is the first step to take when arriving at the scene of a pediatric cardiac arrest?

The first step is to ensure the safety of both the rescuer and the child before proceeding with any life-saving measures.

What should you do if the infant does not respond and shows no signs of life?

If the infant does not respond and shows no signs of life, you should immediately shout for help and begin the basic life support steps, such as assessing their breathing and initiating rescue breaths if necessary.

How do you assess if an infant is breathing after performing the head tilt-chin lift?

To assess breathing, you look for chest movement, listen for any sounds of breathing, and feel for air movement against your cheek, all while maintaining the head tilt-chin lift position. This should be done for about 10 seconds.

What should you do if the infant is breathing normally?

If the infant is breathing normally, you can either turn them onto their side into the recovery position or keep them on their back with the airway open, while also calling for medical assistance.

What is the technique for giving rescue breaths to an infant during a cardiac arrest?

To give rescue breaths, you maintain the head tilt-chin lift position, pinch the infant's nose, slightly open their mouth, and deliver a breath sufficient to cause the chest to rise visibly. You repeat this process five times, ensuring the chest rises with each breath.

How should chest compressions be performed on an infant?

Chest compressions on an infant are performed by placing your thumbs around the lower half of the sternum and pressing down about 4 cm in depth, ensuring the chest returns to its resting position after each compression. The rate should be 100-120 compressions per minute.

What should you do if the child has a palpable pulse but abnormal breathing?

If the child has a palpable pulse but abnormal breathing, continue providing rescue breaths while maintaining the head tilt-chin lift position.

What is the recommended compression-to-breath ratio for pediatric CPR?

The recommended ratio for pediatric CPR is 15 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This ratio should be maintained throughout the resuscitation effort.

When should you stop performing CPR on a child?

You should stop performing CPR if the child shows signs of life, such as coughing, normal breathing, or movement, or if qualified medical help arrives, or if you become too exhausted to continue.