CPR and Rescue Breathing for Children with Tracheostomy
Check for consciousness.
- Gently tap the shoulder and shout.
No Response
Call 911.
Check for breathing.
- If the child is lying on his stomach, turn him over onto his back.
- Put your ear close to the child's trach. Watch the chest for movement. Look, listen and feel for breathing for 10 seconds.
No Breathing
- Suction the trach tube. If the trach has an inner cannula, remove it and suction the length of the trach tube.
- Change the trach if it is plugged or dislodged.
- Give 2 breaths to the trach, using a resuscitation bag.
Breaths Go In
Check for Breathing and a Pulse:
- Check for a pulse by sliding your 2 fingers into the groove on the side of the child's neck as you look for signs of life and breathing for 10 seconds.
Pulse But No Breathing
Begin Rescue Breathing:
- Place the resuscitation bag on the trach and give one breath every 3 seconds (count 1-1000, 2-1000, breathe, etc.).
- Recheck for signs of life every 2 minutes.
No Pulse, No Breathing
Begin CPR:
- Position the heel of one hand on the center of the child's chest, (if needed use two hands to compress the chest if the child is large).
- Compress the chest 1 and 1/2 inches in depth 30 times. Give two breaths using the resuscitation bag (continue with 30 compressions/2 breaths, 30 compressions/2 breaths).
Continue CPR until another rescuer takes over, you see signs of life or help arrives.
(Please note you no longer check the pulse once you start CPR.)
If you are alone, provide two minutes of care before calling 911, then resume care until help arrives.
Contact Us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Rev. 1/07
