CPR and Choking Emergencies

Choking

First ask the child, “Are you choking”? If the child is not coughing, speaking, or breathing give abdominal thrust. Make a fist with the thumb, place your fist above the naval and place the palm of the hand over the fist. You will begin to do abdominal thrust until the object is out or the child loses consciousness then you will begin CPR. Would need to look into the child’s mount before performing rescue breaths to make sure the object doesn’t loosen. If you can see the object, try to scoop it out with the finger trying not to push it further into the throat.

CPR
First Check for alertness. Shake or tap the child gently. See if the child moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?" If there is no response, shout for help. Tell someone to call 911 and get an AED (if available). Do not leave the child alone until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.  Second, carefully place the child on his or her back. If there is a chance the child has a spinal injury, two people should move the child to prevent the head and neck from twisting.  Next, perform chest compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone -- just below the nipples. Make sure your heel is not at the very end of the breastbone. Keep your other hand on the child's forehead, keeping the head tilted back. Press down on the child's chest so that it compresses about 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest. Give 30 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be FAST and hard with no pausing. Count the 30 compressions quickly.   Third, open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.  Fourth, look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the child's mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek. If the child is not breathing: Cover the child's mouth tightly with your mouth. Pinch the nose closed. Keep the chin lifted and head tilted. Give 2 rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise. Continue CPR (30 chest compressions, followed by 2 breaths, then repeat) for about 2 minutes. There, after about 2 minutes of CPR, if the child still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the child if you are alone and call 911. If an AED for children is available, use it now. Finally, repeat rescue breathing and chest compressions until the child recovers or help arrives.
According to the American Heart Association (2012), there are several programs and trainings offered to respond to or prevent an emergency situation.  Heart saver CPR, teaches childcare professionals how recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest and choking for adult, child, and infant victims. They can also learn to recognize the warning signs of heart attack and stroke in adults and breathing difficulties in children. CPR for Family and Friends, pediatric demonstrates the American Heart Association pediatric infant and child how to recognize signs of choking in infants and children, how to reduce risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also how to prevent common fatal injuries in infants and children.
Heart saver First Aid & CPR can be taken without CPR. It teaches rescuers to effectively recognize and treat emergencies in the critical first minutes until emergency medical service personnel arrive. For those who need First Aid training there is a complete training on health and safety training which covers principles of first aid, medical emergencies, injury emergencies, environmental emergencies including: bites, stings, heat and cold emergencies, and poison emergencies.
Heart saver Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a basic technique device use for adult CPR. There is a course given by the National Safety Council Courses teaching how to use an AED which is ideal for those seeking certification, coaches, or fitness instructors. How to use an AED includes: a working knowledge of CPR, Safety for both victims and rescuers, proper placement of electrodes, when to deliver the first shock, and hands on practice.
Pediatric First Aid, CPR, & AED, programs address important issues when caring for children with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, HIV, and dealing with signs of abuse and neglect. No matter how careful parents are, children still get hurt, as well as having more serious injuries and sudden illnesses. The National Safety Council’s Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED programs cover the latest techniques for emergency care and offer practical safety tips for preventing injuries. It also addresses breathing and cardiac emergencies in infants and children, identifying and caring for common age-related injuries, and preventing childhood injuries. They are also recommended for child care providers, early childhood education professors or students, youth organizations, and parents, and are approved by the Office for Child Care Services.  
There are several other steps adults must take to ensure they are prepared to handle CPR and choking emergencies. Handling these crisis include: having a first aid kit at home, and in the car for outdoor activities emergencies. Adult should also include, medications, AED, contact information for the fire department, police department, family doctor, hospital, mother’s work phone number, father’s work phone number, or other guardian or person for emergency contact, and poison control.

References:

CPR and FIRST Aid: American Heart Association Courses (2012) Retrieved, March 22, 2012 from http://www.centuryhealth.org/content160.htm

CPR Procedures. (2012). Retrieved, March 22, 2012 from http://www.wavelandfiredepartment.com/TrainEquip/cpr_procedures.htm

How to Give First Aid to Choking Victims (2011). Retrieved, March 22, 2012 from www.ehow.com/how_2089861_give-first-aid-choking-victims.html