CPR, First Aid, and Pediatric Emergency Response Skills Review

Why This Lab Matters

In a child care setting you are often the first — and sometimes the only — adult present when a child stops breathing or chokes. The CDA credential, your state child care license, and your CPR/First Aid certification all reflect an expectation that you can act correctly within the first few minutes of a pediatric emergency. This lab gives you repeated, corrected practice so that the skills are automatic on certification day and, more importantly, on the job.

Infant CPR: Key Technique Points

Cardiac arrest in infants is almost always caused by a breathing problem, not a heart problem. That means high-quality rescue breaths matter as much as compressions for infants and young children — unlike adults, where hands-only CPR alone is acceptable for bystanders.

Compression technique for infants: Place two fingers on the center of the chest, just below the nipple line. Press down approximately 1.5 inches (about one-third the depth of the chest). Release fully after each compression so the chest recoils. Maintain a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. After every 30 compressions (if you are alone) or every 15 compressions (if two rescuers are present and trained), give 2 rescue breaths. Tilt the head back gently, cover the infant's mouth AND nose with your mouth, and give a small puff — just enough to see the chest rise.

When to call emergency services: Call 911 (or direct someone else to call) as soon as you recognize an unresponsive, non-breathing child. If you are alone, give 2 minutes of CPR first, then call — because for children, getting oxygen moving quickly is the priority.

Child CPR (ages 1 through puberty): Use one or two hands on the center of the chest (lower half of the sternum). Compress at least 2 inches. The rate and ratio are the same as for infants.

AED Operation

Automatic External Defibrillators analyze the heart's rhythm and deliver a shock only when one is needed. The steps are universal: Power on → Attach pads → Let the AED analyze → Stand clear → Deliver shock if advised → Resume CPR immediately. For children under approximately 55 pounds (25 kg) or under age 8, use pediatric pads or a pediatric key/switch if available. Never touch the patient while the AED is analyzing or delivering a shock. After the shock, begin CPR immediately — do not wait to see if the pulse returns.

Pediatric First Aid Stations

Choking: An infant who cannot cry, cough, or breathe needs immediate action. Hold the infant face-down on your forearm and give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand, then turn face-up and give 5 chest thrusts with two fingers on the center of the chest. Alternate until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unresponsive. For a child over age 1, use abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) while the child is standing or sitting.

Wound care and bleeding control: Put on non-latex gloves before touching blood or body fluids — this protects both you and the child. Apply firm, direct pressure with sterile gauze. Do not remove the gauze if it soaks through; add more on top. Keep pressing until bleeding stops or emergency services arrive.

Allergic reaction / anaphylaxis: Signs include hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and a sudden drop in alertness. An epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) delivers a measured dose of epinephrine into the outer thigh. Use the trainer device in this lab to practice removing the safety cap, pressing firmly against the thigh until you hear a click, and holding it in place for the number of seconds specified in the device instructions. Always call 911 after administering epinephrine — the reaction can return. You must also have written authorization from the child's physician and parent before administering any medication in a licensed child care setting.

Documentation: After any emergency, complete an incident report as required by your facility policy and state licensing rules. Record the time the emergency was recognized, the actions taken, who was notified, and the outcome. Documentation protects the child, the family, and your license.

Legal Protections for Responders

Every U.S. state has a Good Samaritan law that protects trained responders who act in good faith during an emergency. These laws generally shield you from liability when you provide care that is consistent with your level of training. They do not protect reckless or grossly negligent actions. Knowing this law supports your confidence to act quickly.

Safety Rules for This Lab

• Wear non-latex gloves whenever you handle gauze or practice wound care, even on manikins, to build the habit.
• Wipe manikin faces with the disinfectant wipes provided between learners to prevent cross-contamination.
• Do not use real epinephrine auto-injectors — trainer devices only.
• Report any dizziness or discomfort during compression practice to the instructor immediately.
• The training AED will not deliver a real shock, but treat it as if it could — call clear before each simulated analysis to build safe habits.

Passing This Lab

To pass, you must perform CPR with no critical errors: correct hand placement, rate of 100–120 compressions per minute, adequate compression depth, proper compression-to-breath ratio, and full chest recoil. The instructor scores you against the AHA or Red Cross performance checklist. You also need 16 out of 20 correct (80%) on the written knowledge check. If you do not pass a station, you repeat it before the mock exam lesson — not because of a penalty, but because a child's life may depend on getting it right.