Childcare Emergencies

Childcare emergencies: CPR and Choking

Often times, when dealing with young children, you may find yourself in an emergency that requires the knowledge of CPR and first aid. Knowing what to do, in order to help the child and remain calm, is the key to saving a life. In the following scenario, a 4 year old in a day care setting, has choked on a piece of food at snack. I will outline the proper steps one must take, in order to help the child.

First, make sure that the area around the child is safe. This requires moving other
children and objects away from the choking child. Next, ask the child “are you ok, can you talk?” Usually a child this age does not know what choking is, but if you ask them to talk or cough, they can understand you. If the child can cough loudly or make slight sounds stand by and let them try to work it out. If they cannot breathe, have a quiet cough or cannot make a sound, then start the Heimlich maneuver. For any child over the age of one year, the following steps should be taken.

1. Kneel or stand firmly behind the child and wrap your arms around them, so that
your hands are in front.

2. Make a fist with one hand

3. Put the thumb side of your fist slightly above the belly button, but well below the
breastbone.

4. Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick upward thrusts into their belly.

5. Continue this process until the object becomes dislodged, and the victim can speak or
talk or until the victim becomes unconscious.
(American Heart Association, “Family & Friends CPR” 2006)


If the object cannot be removed, eventually the victim will become unconscious. If this happens; the next scenario will explain how to handle the situation.

The same four-year-old child has choked, and the childcare worker is unable to get the food out. The child becomes weak and falls to the ground. The following steps must be taken.

Yell for help and assign another adult to call 911.

Turn the child face up on a firm, flat surface.

Open the airway by putting two fingers under the child’s chin to lift it and tilting the head back.

Check to see if the child is breathing, by listening for 5-10 seconds. If they are not breathing, pinch their nose and give two quick breaths. Watch for the chest to rise.

Quickly, remove any clothing that is restricting and start chest compressions.
Push straight down 1/3-1/2 the depth of the chest. If the child is very small, you
may only need to use one hand.

Continue at a rate of 30 compressions and 2 breaths. Every time you open the
airway to do breaths, check for the item that was choked on.

Continue this sequence until the victim responds, or until help arrives.
(American Heart Association “Family & Friends CPR 2006”)


If childcare workers are properly trained in first aid and CPR, it greatly reduces the risk of serious injury to a child in their care. Being prepared for an emergency allows the childcare worker to remain calm, think clearly, and delegate responsibility to other staff members so they can help the child or children involved. This will keep the children from panicking, and allow for a safe environment for everyone. Following these steps, along with having access to an updated first aid kit, and emergency contact information on each child, ensures that the situation will be handled in the most efficient way possible.