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What is Basic Life Support for Children?

Basic Life Support for Children

Table of Contents

Basic Life Support (BLS) for children involves immediate actions to provide critical care during cardiac arrest or respiratory emergencies in pediatric patients aged 1 to puberty. There is also BLS for infants who are below the age of 1. BLS for children and infants is part of pediatric resuscitation.

While the fundamental principles of BLS are similar for adults and children, such as early recognition of emergencies, activation of emergency response, and immediate interventions, pediatric BLS requires specific techniques that fit the age and developmental stage of the child.

Pediatric patients require extra care and attention due to their unique anatomical and physiological characteristics. Therefore, healthcare providers who may encounter pediatric emergencies should have BLS certification specializing in pediatric care to perform child BLS effectively and safely.

How is Child BLS different from Adult BLS?

Child BLS differs from adult BLS in many ways due to the physical variation between a child and an adult. Children have smaller airways, faster respiratory rates, and different responses to cardiac arrest interventions compared to adults. Age-specific factors in child BLS emphasize the importance of adapting techniques based on the child’s age, size, and developmental stage. This includes using age-appropriate techniques for chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED usage to increase the survival rates in pediatric emergencies.

The compression technique is different for a child and an adult. The compression depth for a child during CPR is about one-third of adult CPR. However, the compression rate is similar to that of an adult, i.e., 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths. When performing child BLS, appropriate techniques should be used to maintain an open airway, considering the child’s smaller airway anatomy than adults. Similarly, when giving rescue breaths to children, less volume of air is used compared to adults for gentle and effective breaths to make the chest rise visibly.

Overall, child BLS requires adjustments in technique and consideration of age-appropriate guidelines. Healthcare providers should have proper training and certification in pediatric BLS to handle pediatric patients effectively in emergencies.

How to Perform Child BLS?

BLS is very important when it comes to cardiac emergencies in children. Performing Basic Life Support (BLS) in children timely increases the positive outcome. And it involves several keys. Here’s a general overview of how to perform BLS on children:

Step 1: The first step in performing a BLS on a child is to assess the situation and ensure that the scene is safe for both you and the child. Then, check for responsiveness by tapping the child gently and shouting loudly.

Step 2: If the child is not responding or breathing normally, call for help and activate emergency medical service(EMS) immediately.

Step 3: Now, tilt the child’s head back slightly and listen and feel the breathing. If the child is not breathing normally or only grasping, then begin CPR.

Step 4: Now it’s time for Chest compressions. Place the child on a firm and flat surface. Kneel beside the child’s chest and place the heel of one hand on the center of the child’s chest and another hand on top by interlocking your fingers. You need to keep your arms straight and shoulders directly above your hand.
Now compress the chest to at least one-third of its depth, which is about 2 inches for most children. For infants, you need to use two fingers, the middle, and ring, just below the nipple line to about 1.5 inches. Perform the chest compression at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute and allow the chest to fully rise before compressions.

Step 5: After 30 compressions:
1. Give 2 rescue breaths
2. Maintain an open airway by tilting the head of the child back slightly and lifting the chin.
3. Place your mouth over the child’s mouth, give gentle breaths, and watch for the chest to rise.
Each breath should last about 1 second and make the chest visibly rise.

Step 6: Keep on continuing the CPR. Perform 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.

Step 7: If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, use it immediately. Follow the AED prompts for proper use. AED helps to restore the normal rhythm of the heart by delivering electric shocks.

Step 8: Continue CPR until the child shows any signs of life or until emergency medical help arrives at the place.

Become a Lifesaver: Enroll in Child BLS Training Today!

If you want to save the life of a child who is in dire need of your help during a cardiac emergency, then take a Child BLS class. Join Sacramento CPR Classes for specialized training in pediatric resuscitation techniques. Train yourself with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in critical situations involving children. Enroll today and make a difference in your community by becoming a certified Child BLS provider. Your actions could save a life!

FAQs

What is the age group of Child BLS?

Child BLS refers to managing cardiac emergencies in children aged 1 to puberty, generally around 12 to 13 years of age.

What is the difference between Child BLS and Infant BLS?

Child BLS is the emergency BLS care given to children aged 1 to puberty, whereas Infant BLS is the support given to infants below the age of 1. Both the Child and Infant BLS fall under pediatric resuscitation. There are different compression techniques for Child and Infant BLS.

Is child CPR 15 or 30 compressions?

The recommended ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths is 30 compressions to 2 breaths for Child CPR. This means two rescue breaths are given after every set of 30 chest compressions. The compression rate should be between 100-120 compressions per minute.

What is the depth of compressions for a child?

The depth of compressions for a child is 2 inches, which is about one-third of the chest.