Final answer:
High-quality CPR on a child requires compressions at least 5 cm deep and at a rate of 100 per minute. Proper hand placement on the sternum is critical, and training is essential to avoid serious injuries. Continuation of CPR is advised until recovery or professional aid is present.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing high-quality CPR on a child, the correct depth of compressions is at least 5 cm (2 inches) deep, and the rate should be at 100 compressions per minute. Proper CPR technique involves applying pressure with the flat portion of one hand on the sternum between the lines corresponding to T4 and T9 vertebrae. This compression helps to manually push blood through the heart into the circulatory system, which is crucial for maintaining brain function. The emphasis on high-quality CPR is on chest compressions rather than artificial respiration, and it should be continued until professional medical help arrives or the patient shows signs of recovery.
It is important to be properly trained in CPR because incorrect hand placement or technique can result in severe injury to the patient, including broken ribs or damage to internal organs. Certification courses for CPR are widely available through organizations such as the American Red Cross, and it is recommended that medical personnel and the general public get certified and routinely recertified in CPR.