How to Use Broselow Tape

The Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape is one piece of the Broselow-Luten Color Coding system (B-LPS) that helps nurses, paramedics and emergency medical technicians to administer medicine and use various sizes of medical equipment on children according to their approximate weight and height. The Broselow tape is the first step in determining the proper dosage of medication and/or equipment to use on the child. The tape is laminated and color coded. The color coding is present in all charts and medical booklets included in the kit.

Instructions

• 1

  Open the Broselow pediatric emergency tape so the red arrow is positioned at the top of the child's head. Line up the top of the child's head with the top line directly under the red arrow.

• 2

  Place the tape parallel to the side of the child who is lying in a supine position.

• 3

  Extend the legs so the knees are not bent.

• 4

  Bend the ankle so the toes are pointing straight up. Look at the subdivision in the colored areas directly under the bottom of the foot. Determine which of the two to four subdivisions the child belongs in for weight classification. Determining the weight is the responsibility of the person helping the child. Ask the child or parent if they know how much the child weighs. An approximate weight is used if an actual weight is not known.