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What to Do in an Emergency

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Compiled by:

Dr C Frank, MB Ch B (UCT), FRCS (Edinburgh), FACS (SA)

Prof. MS Barnard, MB Ch B (UCT), Ch M (UCT), FASCS

The contents of the Infantec Site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Infantec Site ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

What to do if your Baby Stops Breathing

DON'T PANIC

Call for help immediately.
Always make sure you have the number of your local emergency services written down in an easily accessible place.
Do not shake the baby.
Clear the airway.
Apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Apply intermittent pressure on the chest.
Do not stop until breathing is normal.

Administering Artificial Respiration to a Baby

Clear the airway and hold the baby with its head tilted back

Cover both nose and mouth with your mouth and exhale gently, making the chest rise.

Remove mouth and watch chest fall.

Repeat.

Breathe faster than normal.

CPR1

CPR2

Support the baby along one arm, cradling its head, which should be tilted slightly downward.

You can also administer mouth to mouth in this position.

Press down 1,3 - 2,5cm down the middle of the breastbone.

Press 15 times, followed by inflating the lungs twice using mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Oxygen is essential for life. The air we breathe contains 20% oxygen. Normally the oxygen in inspired air is transferred to the bloodstream inside the lungs, where is becomes attached to the red blood cells. Oxygen is then made available to all the living parts of the body by the pumping action of the heart.

The aim of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is to mimic this natural way by external mechanical means, i.e. intermittent pressure on the chest wall will compress and relax the heart, thus causing the blood flow. Air cannot reach the lungs without spontaneous breathing. Through breathing, sufficient oxygen is supplied to maintain life for limited periods. By applying a "mouth-to-mouth" seal and "blowing" air into the lungs, sufficient oxygen will reach the bloodstream to support life.

In the case of an infant, gentle puffs, about 60 per minute, will work fine. At the same time the chest has to be intermittently compressed to compress and relax the heart, simulating a pumping action. The rate of compression should be approximately the same as the rate of artificial breaths.