How to Learn CPR on children
Child cardiopulmonary resuscitation differs slightly from the type of CPR performed on either adults or infants. In terms of CPR, a child is determined to be anyone between the ages of 1 year and puberty, approximately. The age range varies based on the size of the child. Child CPR guidelines only differ from adult CPR based on the development and size of the child's body. Many professional jobs require CPR certification, especially fields that deal primarily with children. Additionally, parents may find value in learning child CPR to best serve their children in case of a medical emergency. If you plan to take a CPR course, you should wear comfortable clothing that allows you freedom to move around. Training will cover the physical aspects of CPR, including practice on a rubber dummy.
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Instructions
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American Red Cross Course
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Contact your local branch of the American Red Cross, and sign up for an Infant and Child CPR course.
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Take the CPR course, which could last from three to four hours, at your local American Red Cross branch. The American Red Cross may also conduct off-site classes in local schools, churches or community centers.
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Finish the course by taking a multiple-choice test. To pass an American Red Cross CPR course and receive certification, you must receive a test score of at least 80 percent.
American Heart Association course
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Visit the American Heart Association website to find an approved Emergency Cardiovascular Care or CPR class in your area.
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Sign up for the course that best fits your needs. If you are a professional who requires child CPR for your job, take the Heartsaver CPR, Heartsaver CPR in Schools, or the combined Heartsaver First Aid with CPR & AED class. If you are interested in child CPR training for personal or precautionary reasons, the Family and Friends CPR course may be right for you.
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Attend the American Heart Association CPR certification course, which can last four hours or more, depending on the instructor.
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Finish the course by taking a multiple-choice test. As with the American Red Cross test, you must receive a score of at least 80 percent to pass and receive certification.
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Tips & Warnings
If the American Red Cross branch in your area does not offer a special course in infant and child CPR, sign up for the adult CPR course. Adult CPR is only slightly modified when performing CPR on children, with less compression depth and force, and slightly differing procedural guidelines. An instructor of adult CPR can give you simple information that will allow you to modify adult CPR so that it may be used on children.
It is important to take an approved CPR course that is based on the medical guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Visit the American Heart Association website for the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cpr head to head image by paul mitchell from Fotolia.com
