Pediatric CPR AED First Aid Notes

Pediatric CPR AED 

Compressions:

High-Quality Compressions:

• High-quality CPR on unresponsive people increases their chances of survival.

• Must be done at depths of at least 2 inches (5 cm) at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute. 1.5 inches depth for infants

• Allow for full chest recoil to allow the heart to sufficiently refill between compressions.

High-Quality Breaths:

Rescuers should observe for chest rise while giving breaths.

Compression-to-Breath Ratios:

VICTIM	1 RESCUER	2 RESCUERS
Adult	30:2	30:2
Child	30:2	15:2
Infant	30:2	15:2

The Chain of Survival:

• Adults outside the Hospital:

  • Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Defibrillation → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

• Adults inside the Hospital:

  • Early Recognition and Prevention → Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Defibrillation → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

• Pediatrics outside the Hospital:

  • Prevention → Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

• Pediatrics inside the Hospital:

  • Early Recognition and Prevention→ Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED):

Defibrillation is critical because it eliminates abnormal heart rhythms to restore a regular cardiac rhythm

How to use the AED:

• Remove any clothing on the chest; ensure the chest is bare.

• Turn on the AED as soon as it arrives and place the pads THEN follow the AED’s prompts.

• Use a razor to shave the chest area if the victim’s hairs prevent pad placement.

• If the victim is wet, quickly wipe the chest then apply the pads.

Choking Hazards:

• When choking victims become unresponsive, begin high quality CPR immediately.

• With CPR on choking victims, always check the airways as you’re giving breaths for the choking hazard. If you can see it and can easily take it out, do so. If not, continue CPR.

• For infants, perform 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts. If they become unresponsive. Perform CPR while checking for airway obstruction as you’re giving breaths.

Pediatric First Aid

Scene Safety & Response

• Assess the scene before approaching.

• Do not move victim unless immediate danger exists.

• Call 911 & get an AED and First Aid kit if victim is unresponsive, has chest pain, seizure, bleeding, shock, poisoning, or if unsure. DESIGNATE DIFFERENT PEOPLE, if possible.

• Shout for help. If alone: call 911 on speaker, follow dispatch instructions.

Exposure to Blood/Fluids

• Use PPE (gloves, goggles, pocket mask) if available.

• If exposed: rinse area 20 sec with water, report to healthcare provider.

• Handwashing: wash 20 sec, rinse, dry, and use towel to shut off faucet.

Breathing & Inhaler (Asthma)

• Shake inhaler, remove cap.

• Exhale fully.

• Place mouthpiece, press inhaler while inhaling slowly (5 sec).

• Hold breath for 10 sec.

• Repeat after 1 min if prescribed.

• If breathing worsens → Call 911.

• If unresponsive → Begin CPR.

Inhalers with Spacers:

Choking

• Adults/Children: Abdominal thrusts.

• Infants: 5 back slaps + 5 chest thrusts.

• If the object doesn’t clear quickly → Call 911.

Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis)

• Signs of severe allergic reactions include: trouble breathing, swollen tongue or face, fast heartbeats, nausea or dizziness.

• Call 911 immediately.

EpiPen: Blue to the sky, Orange to the thigh. 

• Inject outer thigh, hold 10 sec.

• Make sure you’re using the correct prescribed device because dosages are different.

• If the person doesn’t improve or EMS don’t arrive in 5-10 minutes, administer a second dose if available.

Heart Attack

• Cardiac arrest is NOT heart attack

• Symptoms: chest discomfort, SOB, radiating pain, indigestion-like pain.

• Give 1 adult aspirin (325 mg) or 2 baby aspirins (81 mg) if no stroke/bleeding risk.

• Keep the victim seated & still.

• Call 911 immediately.

Fainting

•If the child is still responsive, have them bend forward and put their head near their knees. Don’t get too quickly.

• Help victim lie flat, elevate legs slightly.

• If unresponsive >1 min or stops breathing → Call 911 & start CPR.

Diabetes (Low Blood Sugar)

• Glucose monitors measure blood sugar levels.

• Symptoms: sweating, confusion, seizures, shakiness.

• Help the patient sit down.

• If able to swallow → give juice, candy, or glucose tablets.

• If unable to swallow/unresponsive → Call 911.

Stroke – FAST

• F – Face drooping

• A – Arm weakness

• S – Speech difficulty

• T – Time to call 911

Seizures

• Protect from injury, pad head.

• Do not restrain or place objects in mouth.

• Call 911 if: seizure >5 min, repeated seizures, injury, breathing problems, first seizure, or seizure in water.

Bleeding & Wounds

• Apply direct pressure with sterile dressing.

• Wrap with bandages.

• Severe bleeding → tourniquet 2–3 inches above wound.

• If no tourniquet → pack with gauze & keep pressure.

Severe External Bleeding

Loss of 6 oz of blood or more are severe.

•  Use your ABCs: Alert help, Bleeding source Control bleeding.

• Apply pressure with dressing directly: Firm, constant. Do not check for the wound.

• Packing: Roll clean dressings into the injury site. 

• If no tourniquet → pack with gauze & keep pressure.

• Tourniquet: Use windlass rod type closer to the torso, above the joints.

Bleeding: Eye and Nose

• .Call 911 if child is in extreme pain, or has vision loss. 

• Have them close their eyes until Emergency Services arrive. Do not rub eyes.

• Chemical eye injuries: Use an eyewash station, or a saline solution like contact solution, or clean water.

• For one affected eye, position the eye so it’s far away from the other eye.

• Call Poison control: 1800-222-1222, for help.

Bleeding: Mouth and Teeth

• Apply pressure with clean cloth.

• If bleeding continues for 10+ minutes, or child is having trouble breathing, call 911.

• For broken teeth, look for choking hazards in the mouth.

• Apply pressure in mouth

• Hold the tooth by the crown, rinse with saline solution, rinse the mouth as well. Put tooth in mouth and apply pressure with a dressing or gauze pad.

Bleeding: Penetrating Injuries

• Do not take off the object if it is in the skin.

• Apply pressure to the sides of the object, NOT the object.

Nosebleeds

• Sit upright, tilt head forward.

• Pinch nostrils for 10 minutes.

• Call 911 if bleeding continues after 15 minutes.

• Do not tilt head back

• For torso or upper legs, ensure the child feels alright, or call 911 if symptoms get worse.

Amputation

• Rinse part with clean water, wrap in sterile dressing, place in waterproof bag.

• Put the bag on ice (not directly on part).

• Call 911 immediately.

Head and Spinal Injuries

• Head injuries: Look out for concussion symptoms (stunned, confusion, vomiting, forgetfulness, changes in personality, or seizures). Call 911 ASAP and do not perform any physical activity until given notice.

• Neck and spinal injuries: Stop all physical activity, call 911 and get First Aid Kit, and AED.

• Roll the child to face forward.

• Begin CPR if unresponsive.

Broken Bones and Sprains

• For severe injuries *bone portrusion), call 911 as soon as possible. Keep bodypart still.

• For severe bleeding, apply pressure to wound, cover with towel, get ice.

• For less severe injuries, create a splint, do not try to straighten the body part. Use long hard materials, do not over-tighten the splint.

Burns and Electrical Injuries

• Heat: Fire, hot liquids, etc. Antibiotic ointments. If child is burning: Stop, drop and roll. For large burns (larger than the palm), call 911 as soon as possible.

• Electrical: Turn off power source. Do CPR if child is unresponsive.

• Chemical: Call poison control, use PPE, flush for at least 15 minutes.