Prehospital Resuscitation of Children

Abstract

The majority of professionals involved in pre-hospital emergency care do not have explicit paediatric training and have limited experience in the care of life-threatening paediatric emergencies. There is often a fear of being overwhelmed. However, no special paediatric expertise is primarily required to successfully perform resuscitation in children. In addition, the scope of the measures required for successful paediatric resuscitation is on average significantly smaller than for adults. It is essential to know clear and easy-to-implement courses of action, such as those provided by the resuscitation guidelines. For the technical implementation of airway protection, mask-bag ventilation and the laryngeal mask are essential, and for access to the venous system, the intraosseous needle is an aid that overcomes all difficulties almost without exception. With additional support from reference sources, calculation aids and length-related systems, a high level of drug therapy safety can be achieved. In summary, through thorough individual and institutional preparation for paediatric emergencies, safe primary care is feasible by emergency service personnel of any speciality.