Paediatric basic life support algorithm
Figure 1. Paediatric basic life support algorithm
(Healthcare professionals with a duty to respond)
Recognition of cardiorespiratory arrest –
If no ‘signs of life’, CPR should be started immediately.
The decision to start CPR should take less than 10 seconds from starting the initial assessment of the child’s circulatory status and if there is still doubt after that time, start CPR.
CPR should be started with the C:V 15:2 ratio
Chest compression quality
Uninterrupted, high quality chest compression is vital, with attention being paid to all components of each chest compression including the rate, depth and allowing adequate time for chest recoil to occur (approximately 50% of the whole cycle should be the relaxation phase).
Approximate dimensions for chest compression is one-third compression depths in infants and children are about 4 cm and 5 cm respectively.
To maintain consistency with adult BLS guidelines, the compression rate remains at 100–120 min-1.2,4 Ideally chest compressions should be delivered on a firm surface otherwise the depth of compression may be difficult to achieve.