What is cpr for a child?

It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when a child's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after drowning, suffocation, choking, or an injury. CPR involves: Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to a child's lungs.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (car dee oh PULL mon air ee ree SUS I TA shun) is a combination of chest pumping (compressions) which moves blood from the heart to the body, and mouth-to-mouth breathing which sends oxygen to the lungs.

The lungs’ purpose is to breathe in (inhale) air that is made of oxygen, which we need to live. The heart pumps the blood to the lungs and to the body.

The right side of the heart receives blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs. While in the lungs, the blood absorbs oxygen and then returns to the left side of the heart. The blood with the oxygen is then pumped throughout the body. Then, when the body takes all the oxygen needed to live, the used blood returns to the lungs with carbon dioxide, which is the air we breathe out (exhale).

If your child stops breathing, he or she is not getting the oxygen needed to stay alive. If breathing stops, the heart will also soon stop.

YOU MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY BY:

If you think the child is not breathing:

IMPORTANT: You must practice CPR on a mannequin (doll) with a nurse to be sure you are doing it correctly. This should be done before you leave the hospital with your child.

NOTE: If you wish to become certified in CPR, contact the American Heart Association or the Red Cross in your community.

Resources: Guidelines 2010 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, American Heart Association.

(Tape to a wall in a suitable place.)

(Breaths per minute_________________ Compressions per minute__________________)

Fill in the phone numbers, copy them, and tape them by your telephone: