In what situation would you perform CPR on a child?

Performing CPR on a child is indicated when the child is unresponsive and not breathing, or if they are not breathing normally. This situation signifies a critical emergency where the child’s heart or breathing has stopped, which requires immediate intervention to prevent brain damage and ultimately save their life.

In this context, unresponsiveness means the child does not respond to stimuli, indicating a lack of consciousness, while abnormal breathing could involve gasping or very shallow breaths, which are not adequate to sustain life. Effective CPR helps restore blood circulation and oxygenation, which is vital in such life-threatening circumstances.

Other scenarios presented, such as a child being responsive but breathing unusually or having minor injuries, do not warrant CPR. Responsive individuals, even with unusual breathing patterns, should be monitored closely, but CPR is not required unless they meet the critical conditions of unresponsiveness and insufficient breathing. Likewise, a child crying but not moving generally indicates they are responsive and breathing adequately, meaning CPR would not be appropriate in this case.