Basic Life Support Techniques for Infants in Indianapolis

There are CPR courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers. The techniques involve chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper application of the procedures can revive the life of a victim involved in a cardiac emergency which can either be a cardiac arrest or heart attack.

Every individual should be trained in the techniques. But select an accredited training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Indianapolis. Certified instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. Read on to know more about a “BLS for healthcare providers Indianapolis” program. 

BLS Training Classes- This CPR Class Satisfies CPR Requirements for ALL Students in Healthcare and Medical Related School Programs, and all Jobs in Healthcare. This course is also known as BLS for Healthcare Providers, and is intended for nursing, medical, dental, physical and occupational therapy, radiology, pharmacy, EMT’s, etc. students and employees in healthcare fields. This AHA class covers infants, children and adults. The duration of the entire class is about 3.5 to 4 hours, and two-year certifications are awarded after class. The program fee is $70. 

Course Includes:

1.      1 and 2 rescuer CPR for Infants, Children and Adults.

2.      Comprehensive Basic Life Support Training.

3.      Proper Chest Compressions, Rescue Breaths, Bag Valve Mask Use.

4.      AED Training

5.      Choking Intervention

6.      and much more….

A student will be eligible for a certification at the end of the training classes after successfully passing a skills test and written exam. 

Basic Life Support for Infants:

You must be aware about children and infants being as much prone to a cardiac arrest or heart attack as adults. They as well would require immediate treatment for survival with the only form of treatment being the life-saving CPR techniques. Facts about BLS for infants.

1.      Check the pulse in the infant using the brachial artery on the inside of the upper arm between the infant’s elbow and shoulder.

2.      During CPR, compressions can be performed on an infant using two fingers (with one rescuer) or with two thumb-encircling hands (if there are two rescuers and rescuer’s hands are big enough to go around the victim’s chest).

3.      Compression depth should be one third of the chest depth; for most infants, this is about 1.5 inches (4 cm).

4.      In infants, primary cardiac events are not common. Usually, cardiac arrest will be preceded by respiratory problems. Survival rates improve as you intervene with respiratory problems as early as possible. Keep in mind that prevention is the first step in the Pediatric Chain of Survival.

BLS for Infants (One Rescuer):

If you are alone with an infant who is in the middle of a cardiac emergency:

1.      Tap their shoulder and talk loudly to determine if they are responsive.

2.      Assess if they are breathing.

3.      If the infant does not respond, and they are not breathing (or if they are only gasping), shout for help. If someone responds, send the second person to call EMS and to get an AED.

4.      Feel for the victim’s femoral or brachial pulse for no more than 10 seconds.

5.      If you cannot feel a pulse, begin CPR by doing 30 compressions followed by two breaths. If you can feel a pulse but the rate is less than 60 beats per minute, begin CPR. This rate is too slow for an infant. To perform CPR: do the following.

a.      Make sure the victim is face up on a hard surface.

b.      Perform compressions in the center of the little one’s chest using two fingers; do not press on the end of the sternum as this can cause injury to him or her.

c.       Compression depth should be about 1.5 inches (4 cm) and at least 100 to 120 per minute.

6.      After performing CPR for about two minutes (usually about five cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths) if help has not arrived, call EMS while staying with the victim. The AHA emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now and most have a built-in speakerphone. Get an AED if you know where one is.

7.      The device is very easy to use. Just follow the AED prompts when available while continuing CPR until EMS arrives or until the victim becomes stable.

BLS for Infants (Two Rescuer):

Again, if you come across a victim:

1.      Tap their shoulder and talk to him loudly to determine if he or she is responsive.

2.      Assess if they are breathing.

3.      If the little one does not respond and is not breathing (or is only gasping), send the second rescuer to call 911 and get an AED.

4.      Feel for the victim’s brachial pulse for no more than 10 seconds.

5.      If you cannot feel a pulse (or if you are unsure), begin CPR by doing 30 compressions followed by two breaths. If you can feel a pulse but the rate is less than 60 beats per minute, begin CPR.

6.      When the second rescuer returns, begin CPR by performing 15 compressions by one rescuer and two breaths by the second rescuer. If the second rescuer can fit their hands around the victim’s chest, perform CPR using the two thumb-encircling hands method. Do not press on the bottom end of the sternum as this can cause injury.

7.      Compressions should be approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep and at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.

8.      Use and follow AED prompts when available while continuing CPR until EMS arrives or until the victim’s condition normalizes.

Hope this information comes for your help. But, you need to obtain training from certified instructors to be able to face life-threatening emergencies efficiently. These situations arise when you least expect it, it is better to stay prepared than feel sorry for a mishap.

To sign up for a CPR program or for more information, contact CPR Indianapolis.