Would you know what to do if your child stopped breathing?

Clinical educator Colicia Reeves says it’s tragic but true; there is several situations that could cause a child to require cardio pulmonary resuscitation-better known as CPR. “Infants will go into cardiac arrest is preceded by a respiratory problem. Such as SIDS, choking, drowning, injuries.”

Colicia explains that if you find a child who may be unconscious you should always follow the first step of infant CPR. “The first thing you have to do is assess whether the infant is awake or not or conscious, you assess for consciousness, so you shake the baby and say baby, baby are you okay?”

Colicia also says try to remember that if you’re alone bring the baby with you when you go to call 911, but if you know CPR, be sure to start it before you even make that call for help. “You want to give that one minute of CPR before you phone 911 because that will often rejuvenate the baby and bring then back.”

CPR can be lifesaving but it’s best performed by those who have been trained in an accredited CPR course and the best candidates for these CPR courses includes anyone that is responsible for children on a regular basis. Spokesperson for Lee County EMS Paul Filla says, “The parents and grandparents, we also like to see teachers, obviously get it, bible schools, daycare centers.”

You can sign up for the infant and child CPR classes all year long.

For more information on infant CPR classes in your area you can call the American Heart Association (239) 498-9288.