Be prepared
for an emergency
The following information is designed to give you general guidelines,
but is not intended as a substitute for hands-on training in CPR
and other emergency procedures. All family members who reside in
a home with a swimming pool, spa or hot tub should become familiar
with the guidelines for how to perform CPR for both adults and children.
The guidelines for children are somewhat different from those for
adults. Therefore, if you have infants and/or children ages 8 and
younger—or if children regularly visit your household—it
is especially important for you to learn proper emergency procedures,
including CPR.
CPR is the combination
of techniques that includes rescue breathing and artificial circulation.
Rescue breathing is used for respiratory arrest—when breathing
stops. Chest compressions are used along with rescue breathing when
there is no pulse and the heart stops beating.
You and your
family members have the responsibility to learn and practice CPR
to protect your own children, your friends and loved ones, and yourselves.
Training in CPR is available in your community from such groups
as the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.
Rescue
breathing can save a life
Rescue breathing is performed when someone is not breathing, but
has a pulse and is not choking.
If an accident
happens, you should first determine if the child is conscious and
breathing by seeing if he/she responds to gentle shaking. Be
especially careful if the child may have sustained head or neck
trauma so as not to cause spinal cord injury.
But even if
the child is conscious—or if you have any doubts whatsoever—you
should immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services
number in your area. If the child is unconscious, the first thing
you should do is call out for help. Stay with the child while someone
else calls 9-1-1.
If you
are alone and the child is obviously not breathing, try
one minute of the rescue breathing techniques listed below before
leaving the child to call for help.
The ABCs
of rescue breathing A is for AIRWAY
Lay the
child on his/her back. Tilt the head back and lift the chin. Look,
listen and feel for breath for five seconds. If the child is not
breathing…continue on to B. B is for BREATHING
Pinch the child’s nose shut, seal their mouth with yours (birth
to 1 year old, seal mouth and nose with your mouth). Give two slow
breaths. If breaths go in, proceed to C. If breaths do not go in,
reposition and try again, then proceed to C. C is for CIRCULATION
Check for signs of circulation: normal breathing, coughing or movement,
or check pulse if you have been trained how to do so. If there is
circulation, perform rescue breathing.
Rescue
Breathing
One breath every three seconds for children up to age 8; one breath
every five seconds for children age 8 and older. When administering
rescue breathing, remove your mouth and allow time for the child
to exhale normally before delivering the second breath. Use only
enough air to move the chest up and down. Continue until help arrives.
