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Key facts and statistics
- Approximately 7,500 children suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK annually, according to the British Heart Foundation.
- Survival rates can double or triple if CPR is administered promptly and effectively.
- The anatomical and physiological differences between children, infants, and adults necessitate special techniques and approaches during emergencies.
Key definitions
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - A life-saving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, where someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
- Infant - A child under one year of age.
- Child - Typically, a person aged between one year and puberty.
Relevant legislation and regulations
CPR training for children and infants aligns with guidelines from:
- Resuscitation Council (UK) - Provides comprehensive guidelines adapted for paediatric resuscitation.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) - Ensures that care providers are trained in paediatric first aid to ensure compliance.
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - Recommends that organisations include CPR training in first aid courses to meet health and safety standards at workplaces, including schools and nurseries.
Best practices
- Depth of compressions - For infants, use two fingers to deliver compressions at about one-third the depth of the chest. For children, use one hand to achieve the same depth.
- Breathing - Gently deliver rescue breaths covering the infant's nose and mouth, or mouth-to-mouth for a child, ensuring that the chest rises with each breath.
- Frequency - Perform compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.
Understanding the importance
Immediate application of CPR in emergencies involving children and infants is critical due to their quicker oxygen consumption rates. Effective intervention can prevent long-term injuries and increase survival rates significantly.
Recommendations
- Regular training - Regular, certified training sessions for families, educators, and healthcare providers.
- Community awareness programs - Increase community awareness through workshops and informational sessions, especially in schools and parenting groups.
- Policy implementation - Organisations should implement policies that ensure easy access to paediatric CPR training and resources.
Conclusion
CPR skills for children and infants are vital and can save lives. The Mandatory Training Group is committed to providing comprehensive training courses up-to-date with the latest health guidelines and best practices. We urge everyone, particularly those working with or caring for children, to learn and regularly update these lifesaving skills.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Enrol in our paediatric CPR course today. Click here to explore our accredited first aid training courses and qualifications today and increase your chance of saving a life.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always seek professional medical assistance in emergency situations.
About the author
Rose Mabiza
Rose has dedicated over 15 years to improving health and social care quality through practice, targeted education and training. Her extensive experience includes working with older adults, individuals with mental health conditions, and people with autism and learning disabilities.
