CPR and Rescue Breathing for Infants with Tracheostomy
1. Check for consciousness.
a. Gently tap the shoulder or flick the bottom of the heel.
No Response
2. Call 911.
3. Check for breathing:
a. If the infant is lying on his stomach, turn him over onto his back.
b. Put your ear close to the baby's trach. Watch the chest for movement. Look, listen and feel for breathing for 10 seconds.
No Breathing:
a. Suction the trach tube. If the trach has an inner cannula, remove it and suction the length of the trach tube.
b. Change the trach if it is plugged or dislodged.
c. Give 2 breaths to the trach, using a resuscitation bag.
Breaths Go In:
Check for Breathing and a Pulse
a. With 2 fingers feel for a pulse on the inside of the baby's upper arm. At the same time look for signs of life and for breathing for 10 seconds.
Has Pulse But No Breathing:
Begin Rescue Breathing
a. Place the resuscitation bag on the trach and give one breath every 3 seconds. Count to yourself (1-1000, 2-1000, breathe, etc.).
b. Recheck for signs of life every 2 minutes.
No Pulse and No Breathing:
Begin CPR
a. Position 2 or 3 fingers on the center of the breastbone, just below the nipple line.
b. Compress the chest 1/2 an inch in depth 30 times. Give 2 breaths using the resuscitation bag (continue with 30 compressions/2 breaths, 30 compressions/2 breaths, etc.).
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, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Rev. 1/07
