Infant CPR while holding the baby on your arm...What?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2010

In the same position as choking and do CPR with the fingers of your other hand

http://www.moondragon.org/healthcare/cprinfantoneperson.html

One2gofst · Dec 20, 2010

I think you guys are mixing up infant "CPR" with infant "choking". When an infant's choking you will use your arm and thighs. Never heard of infant CPR performed on the arm, I mean how do you give rescue breaths??? I understand doing this while going to get the phone to avoid interrupting compressions. Correct me if am wrong...with links please.

I strongly doubt everyone who has posted in this thread is mixing the two up. I know I am not. As to how you give breaths, can you lean down while raising your palm to your mouth? If so, you can give breaths. Links have already been provided, so I won't repeat that.

It is not always the best solution, but if you need to move the baby, which is extremely frequent, it is. Obviously if you can't hold a baby it doesn't make sense, but there are lots of things that won't work if you have a particular physical impairment.

Belle Epoque · Dec 20, 2010

I think you guys are mixing up infant "CPR" with infant "choking". When an infant's choking you will use your arm and thighs. Never heard of infant CPR performed on the arm, I mean how do you give rescue breaths??? I understand doing this while going to get the phone to avoid interrupting compressions. Correct me if am wrong...with links please.

Choking baby isn't face up so no... nobody is mixing anything up.

It's really not that hard to lift the baby's head towards you, I really don't see why people are not able to envision this. It is a lot easier when baby is closer to your body.

badphish · Dec 20, 2010

Had BCLS. Since 82 PALS since 84

The head is held in the hand with baby crotch in your elbow. Very easy to do compressions and airway in that configuration

Does know one watch cops. U see firemen doing this all day long.

Works great on our lil drowners too

I would not "correct" instructors. When I am taking a class for the first time. Or 25th. Maybe a casual question while af skill station would do.

I taught ACLS BCLS PALS. BTLS. AND EMT refresher for many years. And sharp shooting is not appreciated

If u need clarification ask for it.

badphish · Dec 20, 2010

Paramedics (myself included ) and EMTs use this carry / compression technique all the time. And it is taught in bcls.

It is the same position as for choking

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2010

I currently work in corrections and the annual CPR course they teach at my facility is not certified by AHA or American Red Cross. It is from the American Safety and Health Institute.
Anyway, while teaching the infant CPR portion, the instructor said you can perform CPR on an infant while carrying it on your arm. Since I was coming off of a long stretch of work nights and the course was during the day, I assumed my sleep-deprived self heard wrong. Later during the demonstration check-off one of my co-workers was having a hard time getting the infant dummy's chest to rise. She was having difficulty bending over the table due to a recent surgery. The instructor decided that this was the perfect time to reiterate the fact the you can perform infant CPR while holding the baby on your arm, head toward the crook of the elbow. Of course, my co-worker couldn't deliver effective breaths while holding the baby because it was impossible for her to correctly position the airway while holding the baby like that.
Did I miss something? When did they start teaching this technique? I thought I was going to fail the infant check off because I disagreed with this technique. In the past I have worked in newborn nurseries and in a NICU. I just find it hard to believe that this is an acceptable technique and I ruffled a few feathers when I politely tried to explain this to the instructor.
Has anyone out there heard of this before?

I am going to play devil's advocate, but assuming you are not stranded in the middle of an ocean if a ship or plan has crashed, upon which occasion would you not have a floor available in which to EFFECTIVELY deliver CPR?

Most people have cordless phones now..I cannot remember the last time I visted someone that had a corded land line as their only phone...I would be sitting on the floor to do chest compressions while I am on the phone.

Don't mention running to the phone to call 911...I would really like to see someone try to give rescue breaths while running through the house for the phone...chest compressions maybe.

Dumbest thing I have ever heard of and they have no business telling parents that.

Belle Epoque · Dec 21, 2010

Dumbest thing I have ever heard of and they have no business telling parents that.

The professional associations that have years, maybe even decades, of research under their belt to develop best practice guidelines in resus have no business telling people that? Sorry but I'm more inclined to believe them over some random naysayers.

Marydel · Dec 22, 2010

According to AHA you cannot perform adequate compressions on a baby holding them in your arms; you need a firm surface to provide adequate compressions. This technique is only done when transporting from the ER door to the ER or if you are heading for a phone to call 911.

marciamac · Dec 22, 2010

This has been the norm for at least the past 40 years I have been working. You get good CPR and good positioning of the head to maintain the airway. I work in an ED and we do CPR on the ED gurney. Out in the field this is the standard of care.

NurseAdida · Dec 22, 2010

I strongly doubt everyone who has posted in this thread is mixing the two up. I know I am not. As to how you give breaths, can you lean down while raising your palm to your mouth? If so, you can give breaths. Links have already been provided, so I won't repeat that.
It is not always the best solution, but if you need to move the baby, which is extremely frequent, it is. Obviously if you can't hold a baby it doesn't make sense, but there are lots of things that won't work if you have a particular physical impairment.

Noted and learnt something new. Thanks. I guess am too focussed on how they teach us in the hospitals!

PACUed · Dec 22, 2010

According to AHA the infant (1 year or less) should be placed on a firm, flat surface to perform compressions, but when they talk about activating the emergency response system the AHA states: "If you are alone, after 5 cycles of CPR activate the EMS and then return to the infant to provide CPR, if you are alone and witness the sudden collapse of an infant, you should activate the EMS and the return to the infant to provide CPR. If the infant is small and not injured, you should carry the infant to the telephone so that you can either continue CPR or resume CPR more quickly after the call.

Wishinonastar, BSN · Dec 22, 2010

I have taken CPR every year since I was 17- that is 32 times and I always remember learning to do it this way so you can move while you are doing CPR to get to a phone or help or whatever. Lying the infant on the table was an option, but most of the participants preferred holding the infant in the crook of the arm. I have always had American Heart Association, not normally Red Cross CPR.