Infant CPR differs from adult CPR because infants have smaller bodies and require different techniques. Infants need to be supported differently when performing chest compressions, as their ribs are more fragile and can easily break if not handled correctly. While adult CPR focuses on deeper compressions, infant CPR involves a more careful approach. The depth of compressions should be much shallower than for adults, as too much pressure can cause damage to the infant's organs.
Here are some of the key differences between adult/child CPR and infant CPR:
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1. Hand placement: For adults and children, the rescuer places the heel of one hand on the center of the chest and the other hand on top, interlocking the fingers. For infants, the rescuer uses only two fingers to compress the chest.
2. Compression depth: For adults and children, the rescuer compresses the chest to a depth of at least 2 inches. For infants, the chest is compressed to a depth of about 1.5 inches.
3. Rescue breaths: For adults and children, you provide rescue breaths by mouth to mouth. For infants, you cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth and give two small breaths.
4. Compression-to-breath ratio: For adults and children, the compression-to-breath ratio is 30:2 (30 compressions followed by 2 breaths). For infants, the ratio is 15:2 (15 compressions followed by 2 breaths).
It's important to note that if you are trained in adult/child CPR, you should still take a separate course in infant CPR to learn the specific techniques and guidelines for performing CPR on infants.