Instructions for basic life support in an infant up to one year old. An information guide

Transcription

1 TO PROVIDE THE VERY BEST CARE FOR EACH PATIENT ON EVERY OCCASION Instructions for basic life support in an infant up to one year old An information guide

2 Instructions for basic life support in an infant up to one year old Any baby needing help with breathing, chest compressions or who is choking MUST be taken to hospital by ambulance. Approach in a SAFE manner Shout for help (if a second person is at hand) Approach with care Free from danger Evaluate the baby s condition Step 1 - Is the baby OK? Look at the baby s colour - is he/she blue/pale does baby feel floppy? Stimulate the baby by calling baby by name, rubbing their feet, blowing in their face, and looking out for any reaction to you. If baby makes no response in 10 seconds then proceed to step 2 2

3 Step 2 - Take steps to open the airway Lie the baby on his/her back on a hard surface (e.g. the floor). Place the baby s head in a neutral position by putting one hand on the head and tilting it back slightly. Place the other hand under the baby s chin and lift upwards. Take care not to over-extend the head and neck as this will cause the airway to kink. This is called the neutral position. Check the mouth and nose for secretions/vomit and clear by wiping. If a foreign body is visible follow the procedure for a choking infant. Step 3 - Check for breathing Look, listen and feel for 10 seconds. Do this by placing your face close to the baby s mouth and nose to listen and feel for the baby breathing. Place your hand gently on the baby s tummy, feel for breaths whilst observing the body for movement. As breathing may be shallow, it may be necessary to undress the baby in order to assess breathing. 3

4 Step 4 - If baby is not breathing Hold the head in a neutral position, make a seal with your mouth over the baby s mouth and nose and give 5 slow breaths - with just enough pressure to allow the chest to rise, a mouthful of air will be enough. If baby begins to breathe on his/her own and becomes responsive, turn him/her on to their side. Step 5 - Checking for circulation If baby is still not breathing, it is more than likely that they will need some help with their heart. It is difficult for parents/carers to check for a pulse in a baby - just move directly to step 6. This will not harm but help the baby. Step 6 - Locate the position for chest compression Place two fingers on the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line. Commence chest compressions, press down about one third of the depth of chest. Give 30 chest compressions in one minute 4

5 Step 7 - Take baby with you to the phone and dial 999 Carry on the resuscitation whilst on the telephone using the sequence: 30 compressions: 2 breaths. Explain to the operator that you are giving the baby basic life support. Stay with the baby until emergency help arrives and takes over life support. Choking If, when trying to help baby breath, resistance is felt, the airway may be obstructed by a foreign body. If a foreign body is visible gently grasp and pull it out if possible. DO NOT finger sweep as this may push the object further back into the funnel-shaped airway. If it is not possible to grasp the object out, move on to back blows. Back blows Lay the baby on his front over your forearm with the head tilted down. Using the heel of your hand, give the baby up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades. The first blow may be sufficient to clear the airway. However, if after 5 back blows, the airway remains obstructed, move onto chest thrusts. 5

6 Chest Thrusts Turn the baby onto their back with the head in a neutral position but tilted down. Locate the position for performing chest thrusts by placing your fingers as for cardiac compressions but then pushing downwards in the direction of the baby s head, this will hopefully force the object out. Give up to 5 chest thrusts If the airway remains obstructed check the mouth, open the airway, give the baby a breath. If no improvement repeat 5 back blows and then move on to chest thrusts if necessary. If there is no improvement, start basic life support 30 compressions: 2 breaths For one minute Repeat back blows and chest thrusts as necessary SUMMON EMERGENCY HELP Tell them the baby is choking - CALL 999 6

7 This leaflet will help you revise your resuscitation skills and manage choking in an infant up to the age of 1 year. 1.Gently stimulate baby, talk to baby to see if there is any response 2. Open the airway 3. Check for breathing 4. If not breathing - give 5 breaths 5. If not breathing - give 30 chest compressions Continue to resuscitate by giving: 30 compressions: 2 breaths every minute until help arrives. TAKE BABY WITH YOU TO THE TELEPHONE and call 999. Tell operator you are giving the baby basic life support. 7

8 If English is not your frst language and you need help, please contact the Ethnic Health Team on Jeżeli angielski nie jest twoim pierwszym językiem i potrzebujesz pomocy proszę skontaktować się z załogą Ethnic Health pod numerem telefonu For general enquiries please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on For enquiries regarding clinic appointments, clinical care and treatment please contact and the Switchboard Operator will put you through to the correct department / service Date of publication: June 2012 Date of review: December 2014 Date of next review: December 2017 Ref: PI_WC_760 The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Wood pulp sourced from sustainable forests