These first aid tips are no substitute for thorough knowledge of first aid.
Attend a St John Ambulance First Aid Course.
Children
A child is considered to be between one year to puberty for the purposes of these instructions. It is neither necessary nor appropriate to check if a child has reached puberty.
- If you have someone with you, send them to dial 112 for an ambulance immediately.
- If you are on your own carry out CPR for one minute before dialling 112 for an ambulance.
Attempt to give five rescue breaths
- Ensure the airway is open.
- Seal your lips around the child’s mouth while pinching the nose.
- Blow gently into the lungs, looking along the chest as you breathe. Take shallow breaths and do not empty your lungs completely.
- As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall.
- Repeat four more times then check for circulation.
Give 30 chest compressions
- Place one or two hands in the centre of the chest (depending on the size of the child.
- Use the heel of that hand with arms straight and press down to a third of the depth of the chest.
- Press 30 times, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
- After 30 compressions, attempt to give two rescue breaths.
Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to two rescue breaths) without stopping until help arrives.
Notes:
- If you are alone, carry out rescue breaths and chest compressions for one minute before leaving the child to call an ambulance.
- If you are familiar with adult CPR and have no knowledge of child CPR, use the adult sequence.
- It is possible to identify the correct hand position without removing the child’s clothes.