Chest compressions

9. Perform chest compressions:

Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone just below the nipples. Make sure your heel is not at the very end of the breastbone.
Keep your other hand on the child's forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
Press down on the child's chest so that it compresses about 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest
Give 5 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be FAST with no pausing. Count the 5 compressions quickly: "a, b, c, d, off."

10. Give the child 1 slow, full breath. The chest should rise.

11. Continue cycles of 5 chest compressions followed by 1 slow, full breath.12. After about 1 minute, check again for signs of circulation.

13. At this time, if the child still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the child to call 911 .

14. Repeat steps 11 and 12 until the child recovers or help arrives.

If the child starts breathing again, place him or her in the recovery position. Periodically re-check for breathing and signs of circulation until help arrives.

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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