Infant CPR & First Aid Certification

Infant CPR and first aid is a series of basic life-saving techniques that can reduce the instances of sudden infant death if applied in time. It is similar to adult CPR and is usually included in an adult CPR training course as part of the certification process.

History

• In 1740 the Paris Academy of Sciences recommended mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the public as a means of saving a drowning person. It wasn't until 1903 that Dr. George Crile used chest compressions successfully when resuscitating a person. Both of these techniques can be applied to infants as well as adults. The American Heart Association reports about 5,800 children are stricken with sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year, and some of these cases result in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Training

• Infant CPR and first aid training is often included in adult CPR and first aid courses.

  Training for Infant CPR and first aid is available throughout the United States. Classes are given at universities, hospitals, community centers or in the privacy of people's homes. Some instructors are willing to train small private groups for a fee. Training is also available online; cprtoday.com, redcross.org and icpri.com offer online training options.

Time Frame

• An Infant CPR and first aid training certification is valid for two years. The American Heart Association updates its guidelines on a regular basis; by mandating a two-year certification renewal, the AHA ensures that would-be lifesavers are up to date on techniques.

Features

• Infant CPR and first aid training consists of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions. The ring and middle fingers are used to perform the chest compressions on an infant, instead of the palm of the hand that is used on an adult. How to stop an infant from choking is emphasized in the infant first aid training, among other life-saving techniques specific to children. Certification is usually given immediately following successful completion of the course.

Warning

• It is not illegal to perform infant CPR and first aid without a certification; however, getting certified is highly recommended. The training that precedes certification gives a person the confidence and proper technique needed to ensure success.