If you volunteer to coach your child’s sports team, you’ll need to undergo training and certification. Coaching kids is enjoyable, but it also comes with responsibilities. These responsibilities become clear during your training, where you’ll learn about serious topics like recognizing abuse, concussions, and sudden cardiac arrest. I remember feeling uneasy watching those videos, hoping I’d never have to face such situations. I was also concerned that I was not prepared to properly administer manual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to a child in an emergency. While the trainings include slides and videos in regard to CPR, you may complete the training and wonder if you’ll be ready to act if CPR is ever needed.
How to Perform CPR
Performing CPR on a child under 12 follows similar principles to adult CPR but with some modifications. Here’s a basic description according to American Red Cross standards:
- Check the Scene: Ensure the area is safe for both you and the child. Check the child for responsiveness by tapping the shoulder and shouting, “Are you okay?”
- Call for Help: If the child is unresponsive, immediately call emergency services or have someone else call while you start CPR.
- Open the Airway: Gently tilt the child’s head back and lift the chin to open the airway. Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
- Check for Breathing: Check for no more than 10 seconds to see if the child is breathing normally. If not breathing normally, start CPR.
- Give Chest Compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, just below the nipple line. Place the other hand on top of the first hand. Push straight down at least 2 inches at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute.
- Give Rescue Breaths: Pinch the child’s nose shut, seal your mouth over their mouth, and blow into their lungs until you see the chest rise. Give two rescue breaths, each lasting about one second.
- Continue CPR: Alternate between 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths. Continue CPR until the child shows signs of life, another trained responder or EMS personnel take over, you are too exhausted to continue, or the scene becomes unsafe.
Get Certified
Remember, these steps are a brief overview and should not replace formal CPR training. No pressure, but knowing CPR can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a cardiac arrest or other medical emergency. If you plan to volunteer as a coach for youth sports, it may be a good idea to obtain CPR certification – you can do in person or online classes – to ensure you’re prepared to perform CPR correctly in an emergency.