5a. One-Rescuer BLS for Infants, Basic Life Support (BLS)

Chapter 5 discusses BLS for Infants. Infants are defined as age 0 to 12 months. Determining responsiveness is the first step in BLS for infants. Each step is explained in detail, from assessing the scene to contacting 911 and providing CPR. The differences in treatment for infants are also emphasized. Including, but not limited to, compression depth. Proper AED use and CPR are explained.

"The first step is to shake their shoulders and shout at the infant to determine if they are responsive.

Then, asses if they are breathing by putting your ear up to their mouth or by watching their chest.
If the infant is not responding or breathing, then yell for help. If someone responds, then send them to call 911 and to retrieve an AED. (The AHA emphasizes that cell phones with built-in speaker are available everywhere, so rescuers do not have to leave the scene to call 911.)

Next, feel for the infant’s brachial pulse for no more than 10 seconds.

If there is no pulse or you can’t tell, then begin CPR by performing 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths. If you can feel a pulse but the rate is less than 60 beats per minute, begin CPR.

To perform CPR on an infant, have the infant face up on a hard surface. Then, using two fingers, perform compressions in the center of the infant’s chest. Make sure to not press on the end of the sternum as this can cause injury. Also, keep in mind that compression depth for an infant should be about 1.5 inches and at least 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Perform CPR for about two minutes, which is usually five cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths. If help has not arrived yet, call 911 and retrieve an AED.

Next, use and follow the AED prompts while continuing CPR until EMS arrives or until the infant’s condition normalizes."

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