Being prepared and checking vital signs

Be prepared for emergencies; clear baby's airway and check for breathing.

  • Be prepared for emergencies by familiarising yourself with first aid procedures and keeping a list of emergency numbers in your mobile or by the phone.

  • If a baby is unconscious, check her mouth for any items blocking her airway. This could include her tongue, food, vomit or blood. If a blockage is present, use your little finger to clear it from her mouth.

  • Check for breathing. Listen for the sound of the breath, look for movements of the chest or feel for the breath on your cheek.

 

Rescue breathing

Demonstration of the recovery position and mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing

  • If baby is breathing, place him in the recovery position (shown above), phone 000 and check regularly for continued signs of life until the ambulance arrives.

  • If baby is NOT breathing, tilt his head back very slightly, lift his chin to bring the tongue away from the back of the throat, opening his airway. Take a breath and seal his mouth and nose with your mouth. Blow gently and steadily for about one second. Watch for the rise and fall of the chest. Take another breath and repeat the sequence.

  • If there are no signs of life after two breaths, make sure someone has phoned 000 and commence chest compressions.

 

Chest compressions

Demonstration of chest compressions combined with rescue breathing

  • Position two fingers in the centre of baby’s chest and give 30 compressions at a rate of approximately 100 per minute. Each compression should depress the chest by about one third.

  • After 30 compressions, take a breath, seal your mouth over baby’s mouth and nose and give two steady breaths. Look for the rise and fall of the chest.

  • Continue giving 30 compressions followed by two breaths until medical help arrives. If signs of life return, put baby in the recovery position (shown in 3a). Continue to monitor breathing and be prepared to recommence CPR at any time.

 
 
  • Last Updated 26-01-2011
  • Last Reviewed 02-11-2009
  • Acknowledgements

    Thanks to St John Ambulance Australia for their help in developing this content. Please note: This information is not a substitute for first-aid training. St John’s recommends that everyone is trained in first aid. For more information, visit the St John Ambulance website.