RESUSCITATION

Should the unimaginable happen and your baby or child does become unconscious and stops breathing, it's vital that you stay calm and act quickly. It can take just a few minutes without oxygen for permanent brain damage to occur.

First, make sure that neither you nor your child is in any danger (from fumes, electricity or fire). Then open your child's airways and check that she is breathing and has signs of circulation. If she is not breathing but has signs of circulation, start mouth-to-mouth respiration immediately (see overleaf). If she has signs of circulation, start external chest compressions.

Get another adult to phone the emergency services. If you are alone, shout for help.

If your child has been involved in an accident, take steps to stop any severe bleeding by pressing down on to the wound and holding the injured part higher than the heart if possible.

Don't attempt to move your child if you are uncertain of her injuries, or if there may be damage to her neck or spine.

If your child starts to breathe on her own, place her in the recovery position. This is the safest position for her to be in, as it prevents her tongue from falling back into her throat and obstructing her airway. She also avoids the risk of choking if she vomits.

External chest compression

If your child is not breathing and there are no signs of circulation, you will need to start external chest compression.

Babies up to a year

Lie your baby on her back on a flat surface, then slide one hand under her shoulders and grab the top of her arm. Locate the bottom of her breastbone with your other hand, then find the half-way point between this and the base of her neck.
Using two fingers press down just below this halfway point to a depth of about one third of the chest, then release.
Make five compressions in rapid succession (about 100 per minute) then give one breath into her lungs as before. Do this for one minute then carry the baby to dial Emergency Room number 966-2-690-5021, Saudi German Hospitals Group, Jeddah.
Continue to make five compressions followed by a breath until her heart restarts or help arrives. Check her breathing and heartbeat every minute.
When her heart starts beating, stop compressions but continue with mouth-to-mouth respiration until she breathes independently, or until help arrives.

One to seven year olds

Locate the bottom of your child's breast bone, then find the halfway point between this and the base of her neck.
Using the heel of your hand just below the halfway point, press to a depth of about one third of the chest, then release.
Give five compressions at a rate of about 100 per minute, then breathe into her lungs once. Continue the sequence of five compressions to one ventilation for one minute. Then, if the child is small enough, carry her to the phone to ring 966-2-690-5021 SGH, Jeddah. If you have to leave your child, restart the sequence when you return. If you think the breathing or heart may have restarted, stop and check.

· If her heart restarts, stop compressions, but continue with mouth-to-mouth respiration until she breathes independently, or

until help arrives.

DRABC of resuscitation

Here is a quick way of remembering your priorities in an emergency:

D is for Danger, Check you and your child are safe.

R is for response. Talk, snout and touch her gently to see if she wakes.

A is for airways, Open your child’s airway and; if possible, remove any obstruction.

B is for breathing Check breathing and. be ready to start mouth.4o-mouth respiration.

C is for circulation. Check for signs of circulation and, if there are none, be ready to give chest compressions.

If you suspect your child is unconscious, you should immediately check for a response. Try calling her name and touching her gently. Do not shake her as this may worsen any injuries.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation step by step

Before you attempt to resuscitate your child, lay her on her back, with her arms by her sides, and kneel beside her. Ensure that someone has called the emergency services.

Open your child's airway by pressing gently on her forehead to tilt her head back. If there are signs of choking, check for any obstructions in the mouth. DO NOT put your fingers in her mouth. Check to see if she is breathing. Pinch the nostrils shut with one hand and support the chin with the other.
Seal your lips around your child's mouth and breathe gently but firmly into her lungs until you see her chest rise. Watch her chest fall before continuing. Give two effective breaths then check for signs of circulation.
To check for signs of circulation, look for color, movement, coughing and skin temperature. Continue with mouth-to-mouth at a rate of 10 breaths per minute until the child starts breathing alone or the ambulance arrives.
If your child is breathing independently, place her into the recovery position. This will ensure that her airway is kept open, allowing excess fluids, such as vomit, to run freely from her mouth and prevent her from choking.

Resuscitating a baby

The technique for resuscitating a baby is only slightly different from the technique used for an older child.

You should still open the airway by tilting the head back, then put one finger under your baby's chin and tilt it up, taking great care not to press too hard, as her windpipe is soft and flexible and you may block or injure it.
A baby's face is much smaller than a child's, so you should seal both her nose and mouth with your lips before you start artificial respiration.
If your baby has no signs of circulation, you should start external chest compression immediately.

Take a course

Excellent first-aid and lifesaving courses, run by first-aid companies, are available in most areas. Check the telephone directory for details. Make sure the teachers have been professionally trained.

For More Information: Please consult your physician on your next visit.

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