How to Perform CPR on a Drowning Infant

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves doing chest compressions and rescue breathing. CPR is performed on people who are not breathing or who have no heartbeat. It may be needed in cases of cardiac arrest, respiratory failure or accidents, such as a drowning. It helps keep the blood circulating to the vital organs. In addition, it helps provide oxygen to the lungs. CPR guidelines are different for an adult, child and infant.

Instructions

1. Understand CPR is intended to keep blood and oxygen flowing through the body and not to remove water from the lungs of a drowning infant. The procedure for performing CPR is the same whether the infant has drowned or has another emergency situation that has caused him to stop breathing.

2. Put the baby on the ground, a table or other surface which is firm. Stimulate the baby to determine if she is responsive. Flick the bottom of the baby's feet and speak loudly to determine if there is a response, such as crying. Avoid shaking the baby which can cause damage to the brain and neck.

3. Open the infant's airway. His tongue may fall towards the back of his mouth and block his airway. Gently tilt the infant's head slightly back by pushing down slightly on the forehead while lifting up the chin. Avoid hyper-extending the neck, which can cause injuries.

4. Look at the baby's chest and place a hand on it to determine if the chest is moving up and down, which indicates breathing. At the same time place your ear next to the baby's mouth and listen for breathing. If the baby is not breathing you will need to perform rescue breathing.

5. Place your mouth over the baby's mouth and nose and blow in twice to give two rescue breaths. Look at the chest as your blow in to be sure the chest is moving. If the chest did not rise, the baby's airway may still be blocked. Reposition the head again as stated in Step 3.

6. Feel for a pulse. If the baby has no heartbeat, start chest compressions. Place two fingers in the center of the baby's chest between the nipples. Press down at a depth of one third to one half the depth of the chest. Perform compressions quickly, at a ratio of 30 compressions to two rescue breaths.

7. Keep in mind that a drowning baby may swallow a lot of water. During the course of CPR, a baby may vomit the water out. Turn the baby on his side and clear the airway by using a finger to clear the mouth of any vomit. If the baby is still not breathing, place the infant flat and continue CPR until help arrives.

Tips & Warnings

• Recheck for a pulse after about two minutes. If the baby has started to breathe on her own and the heartbeat has returned, stop CPR and stay with the baby until help arrives. If the baby is still not breathing, continue administering CPR. If possible have someone else call 911 while you are assessing the infant.