INTRODUCTION
Employing basic techniques, a rescuer can independently support the respiratory and circulatory functions of a collapsed child with no equipment. However, BLS in children is not simply a scaled down version of the adult algorithm. Many of the techniques vary from those used in adults and are covered here.
Age definitions
For paediatric BLS there are different techniques dependent on the age of the child. These will be discussed in detail.
<1 year = infant
1 year to puberty = child
Puberty onwards = adult BLS
This is a “rule of thumb”. There is no specific cut off and it is neither necessary nor appropriate to examine a collapsed child to establish if puberty is established. |
The objectives of BLS are:
- To achieve sufficient oxygenation of the brain and vital organs
- Buy time until the collapsed child can receive specialised intervention
- To form the “foundation” on which advanced resuscitation can be based.
The use of a bag-valve mask (BVM) attached to oxygen should be used wherever possible, not only is it more hygienic then mouth-to-mouth ventilation, but expired air only contains 16-17% oxygen.
