Medical Encyclopedia
CPR - infant - series: Chest compressions
7. Perform chest compressions:
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Place 2 fingers on the breastbone -- just below the nipples. Make sure not to press at the very end of the breastbone.
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Keep your other hand on the infant’s forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
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Press down on the infant’s chest so that it compresses about 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest.
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Give 30 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be FAST and hard with no pausing. Count the 30 compressions quickly: “1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off.”
8. Give the infant 2 more breaths. The chest should rise.
9. Continue CPR (30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths, then repeat) for about 2 minutes.
10. After about 2 minutes of CPR, if the infant still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the infant to call 911.
11. Repeat step 9 until the infant recovers or help arrives.
If the infant starts breathing again, place them in the recovery position. Periodically re-check for breathing until help arrives.
Update Date: 7/19/2007
Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork (3/21/2006).
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