Final answer:
If an unresponsive child is not breathing or is gasping, call emergency medical services and begin performing CPR immediately, providing chest compressions and rescue breaths until help arrives.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you encounter an unresponsive child who is not breathing or is only gasping, it is crucial to take immediate action. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Check if the child is responsive by tapping their shoulder and shouting their name.
- If the child does not respond, quickly call emergency medical services.
- Start performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. To do this, place the child on a firm surface and position yourself next to them.
- Place the heel of your hand on the center of their chest (between the nipples) and place your other hand on top of the first hand.
- Using your upper body strength, compress their chest at least 2 inches deep at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
- After every 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths by tilting their head back slightly, sealing your mouth over their mouth and nose, and blowing until you see their chest rise.
- Continue the cycles of 30 compressions and two rescue breaths until medical help arrives or the child starts breathing on their own.