Final answer:
You should start CPR for an infant or child when they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, ensuring the person is on stable ground before beginning. Quickly administering CPR is critical for preventing brain damage. High-quality chest compressions, performed until professional help arrives or the person recovers, are essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
When to Start CPR for an Infant or Child
When providing rescue breathing to an infant or child, you should start CPR if they are not breathing normally or if they are unresponsive. The first step in a drowning situation is to get the person to stable ground before initiating CPR, as it is ineffective in water. Acting swiftly is crucial because without oxygen, brain damage, and subsequent brain death, can occur within minutes. The normal respiratory rate for infants is 30-60 breaths per minute, which decreases as they age. In any emergency, high-quality chest compressions are a priority in CPR, which should be performed until the patient regains spontaneous contractions or is declared deceased by a healthcare professional. If an infant is choking, you should attempt to dislodge the object with back slaps before resorting to CPR.
When applying CPR, it is essential to place your hands correctly on the sternum, between the lines at T4 and T9, to effectively compress the heart to maintain blood circulation, especially to the brain. For infants specifically, use two fingers for chest compressions or encircle the chest with both hands if you are trained to do so. Keep in mind Apgar scores; immediate medical attention is required for scores below 7.