Cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique in new-borns: a pocket guide
What is cardiopulmonary resuscitation?
Bad situations always happen to strangers, can sound like a rule of life, but by any chance is better to read and learn by heart the following article… because you can’t ever know!
Saving a life is not a very common activity, but CPR techniques should be known by everyone!
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. CPR combines rescue breathing with chest compressions. Today we will discuss about the correct techniques to perform on new-born and babies.
Who is considered new-born?
Babies under 12 months of age are considered new-borns. The procedure due to the age is different from the one performed on an adult.
How can I understand if is necessary to star CPR?
To understand if you have to start the CPR is important to check baby’s mouth for airway blockages – for example, tongue, food, vomit or blood. If you find a blockage, use your little finger to clear it. After that, you should place the baby on his back with his head in a neutral position to open his airway. The steps are show in the image above.
If there are not blockages?
If there are no blockages and/or you’ve cleared blockages, check for breathing. Listen for the sound of the breath, look for movements of the chest or feel for the breath on your cheek.
Tips: flick the bottom of the foot to elicit a response.
Is the baby breathing normally?
YES - Place him in the recovery position on his side with his head tilted down. Check baby regularly for breathing and responses until the ambulance arrives.
NO – Start CPR. Always check if the environment is safe and If two people are available, one person should call the local emergency number and get the AED, if one is available, and have the other person begin CPR.
What if you are alone?
If you are alone and have no cell phone, start CPR for two minutes (five cycles) and then call the emergency number from a landline and get an AED if available.
Which are the steps? (following international guidelines)
The position the infant should be on their back on a firm, hard surface. Move any clothing away from the chest.
1. Put two fingers in the centre of baby’s chest (on the nipple line) and give 30 compressions at a rate of about 100-120 compressions per minute. Each compression should depress the chest by about 4 cm. Is very important to let the chest recoil to its normal position after every compression.
2. Hold baby’s head so that her/his chin doesn’t drop down. Take a breath and seal baby’s mouth and nose with your mouth. Blow gently and watch for the chest to rise. Take another breath with your head turned towards baby’s chest and listen or feel air leaving the chest. Repeat.
3. Keep giving 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths until medical help arrives. If baby starts breathing normally and responding, turn her into the recovery position. Keep watching her breathing and be ready to start CPR again at any time.
Tips: if you are with someone else switch who is giving CPR when you feel tired.
Which is the correct recovery position?
The chin of the baby should point slightly away from the chest and their face should rest on the surface on which the baby is laying. You have to be sure that nothing is blocking or covering your baby's mouth and nose. The recovery position will help keep your baby’s airway open.
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Articolo a cura di: Marco Terrana