Check for breathing

1. Check for responsiveness. Shake or tap the child gently. See if the child moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?"

2. If there is no response, shout for help. Send someone to call 911. Do not leave the child yourself to call 911 until you have given about one minute of CPR.

3. Carefully place the child on his or her back. If there is a chance the child has a spinal injury, two people are needed to move the child without twisting the head and neck.

4. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, push down on the forehead with the other hand.

5. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the child?s mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

Review Date: 8/8/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone M.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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