The purpose of this presentation is to introduce and refresh

some basic life support principles for children.

Children are much more than little adults, and whilst the
majority of first aid principles are similar, its important to
bear to be aware of the differences.
This presentation is attended for lay-people and healthcare
students. If you are a healthcare professional or wish to
extend your knowledge, please read the Paediatric Advanced
Life Support Edition.
If youre unfamiliar with Adult First Aid or First Aid principles
in general, please look at Basic Life Support & First Aid 2012
presentation first.

Check for

anger

Check for

esponse
end for help

Check
Check for

Give
Apply a

irways
reathing

PR
efribrillator

 Check for Danger

To you
To others
To the Casualty

Make the area safer or remove

yourself and casualty to an area of
safety.
If an area is too dangerous stand
back and call emergency services.

 Check the Child for a response

Response may vary due to the age

of the child.
Most basic method of assessment is
the Talk & Touch approach.
Can also use the COWS Method.
C an you hear me?

O pen your eyes.

W hat is your name?
S queeze my hand

Rubbing on the palms of the hands

or soles of an infants feet may elicit
a response.

Help can be anyone nearby, but you should

aim to contact a healthcare professional or
service as quickly as possible.

Call
to reach emergency
services virtually anywhere in
the world.

Someone should always stay with the child. Send others to get help.

Call

for USA
or
for Australia

or
Notify your Cardiac Arrest Team
within the hospital

 In an unconscious casualty, the

maintaining/gaining a patent airway is
the top priority.
Check the airway is open and clear of
obstructions.
In an unconscious patient, the tongue is
the most common cause of obstruction.
Also check the airway for blood, vomit
& any other foreign materials.
If the airway is blocked, the casualty
cant breathe.

 Clearing the airway

Turn child on one side.
Clearing visible foreign material from
mouth and nostrils.
If suction is available use suction to
clear material.

Back Blows
Chest Thrust
Placing the child in the recovery
position, if they are breathing, and post
airway clearance can be useful.

 Airway manoeuvres and appropriate positioning in children can differ from

adults, dependant upon size.

Infants (<1yr) should have their head in the horizontal or neutral position.
Head tilt/Chin lift
Tilt head backwards
(not neck)
Support jaw at the
point of the chin

Jaw Thrust
Good if neck injury is
suspected
Difficulty with
obtaining adequate
airway with Head
tilt/chin lift.

 Look, Listen & Feel

Up to 10 secs
Look for rise and fall of the chest
Listen for breath sounds or air arising
from the nose or mouth

Feel for chest wall movement

If not breathing, and the casualty has a

patent airway, rescue breathing should
be commenced.
In clinical situations use a face mask to
deliver breaths.

 CPR = Compression + Ventilation

COMPRESSION RATE: 100 compressions/min
Useful tunes to keep the rate are Staying Alive Bee Gees, Another one bites
the Dust and many more.

RATIO: 30 Compressions to 2 ventilations (breaths)

CYCLES: 5 cycles of [30:2] in approximately 2
minutes. Recheck for signs of life at the end of cycle.
Pause compressions to allow for ventilation.

 Most important step is recognising

need for CPR.
CPR should be commenced
immediately in children if;
Unresponsive
Not breathing normally
Not moving, signs of life.

Lay rescuers should begin CPR,

based upon the above information.
Checking for a pulse is not required
or recommended.
For HCPs, the Brachial or Femoral
pulse are typically the easiest to
assess. If pulse not identified within
<10 seconds CPR should commence.

Ref: Pulse check versus check for signs of life Peds-002A

Kids will generally not tolerate CPR if they are

conscious, so you might as well do it.

 You do Chest Compressions in

approximately the same place
right through from infants to
adults.

Compressions are done in the

midline on the lower half of the
sternum or the centre of the
chest.
The nipples can be used as
landmarks to guide you to where
you should be doing your
compressions.

Compressions should not be

done over the lower end of the
sternum or abdomen

 Push hard and fast, with straight arms.

Infants (<1yo)
Use 2 fingers over the centre of the
chest.
Compress to 1/3 depth of chest wall
(~4cm).

Child (1-8yrs)
Use heel of 1 hand, or alternatively 2
hands, with one positioned on top of the
other.
Compress 1/3 depth of chest wall (~5cm)
in the centre of the chest.

Greater than 8yrs = same as adult

 Dont stop CPR to check for

a response or breathing
except at the end of a cycle.

Interruptions to CPR should

be minimised.
If possible change the
person giving compressions
every 2 minutes.
CPR should continue until
the casualty becomes
responsive, or a healthcare
professional arrives.

 If a Debrillator (e.g. Automated

External Defibrillator AED) is
available, apply and follow voice
prompts.
CPR continues until the AED is present,
all the pads are in place and the AED is
on.
AEDs accurately identify heart rhythms
as either shockable or nonshockable.

Remember when shocking the

casualty to get everyone to stand
well back. Do not touch them!

 AEDs can be used on children of any age.

However, for small children & infants,
paediatric pads and an AED with a
Paediatric functionality should be used if
available.
Large children can use the normal adults
pads & AED.
Pad Placement
Most pads have a diagram on them
illustrating where to place them (e.g. right
upper chest & left lower side).

Pads should never be touching each

other.

In small children you can alternatively

place one pad on the front of the chest,
and one on the back.

Information

Photos

Australian Resuscitation Council

St Johns Ambulance

Resus4Kids

Global Medical Education

Project
Pixar Wikia
Physio-Control, Inc.
Shaun Wood
Michael Kappel
Vickis Pics

US Army Africa
Wikimedia
Peter Daems

Whilst I am a medical professional the information provided here does not

constitute medical advice. The information provided here is primarily
based off the Australian Guidelines and my own experience in healthcare.
Practice may differ in your area.

This presentation is not a substitute for professional training or

appropriate medical advice. In fact if you have not done it, I hope this
presentation inspires you to take a first aid course.
Please contact your local medical practitioner if you have any concerns.

Cheers,
Aaron

 Paediatric Advanced Life Support

Extend your knowledge.
Learn advanced life support skills for the care of children.

Basic Life Support & First Aid 2012

Principles of Basic Life Support
Revisit DRSABCD
Airway Management
Care of bleeding, shock, burns, fractures, burns, diabetic emergencies.