Which technique is used for two-rescuer infant CPR?

Which technique is used for two-rescuer infant CPR?

• A. Encircling thumbs technique
• B. Two-handed technique
• C. Heel-of-hand technique
• D. One-handed technique

Answer: (A)

In two-rescuer infant CPR, the encircling thumbs technique is used because it lets both rescuers work together to deliver effective chest compressions while the other rescuer provides breaths. The rescuers position themselves on opposite sides of the infant, wrap their hands around the chest, and place both thumbs on the center of the chest (with fingers supporting the back). This setup allows straight-down compressions with stable depth and good chest recoil, and it makes it easier to coordinate with the second rescuer who maintains an airway seal and delivers breaths with a bag-mask device. The smaller size of an infant makes the alternative approaches impractical or less effective: using a heel-of-hand or one-handed method doesn’t provide the correct depth for an infant, and a two-handed technique isn’t suited to the infant’s tiny chest.

In two-rescuer infant CPR, the encircling thumbs technique is used because it lets both rescuers work together to deliver effective chest compressions while the other rescuer provides breaths. The rescuers position themselves on opposite sides of the infant, wrap their hands around the chest, and place both thumbs on the center of the chest (with fingers supporting the back). This setup allows straight-down compressions with stable depth and good chest recoil, and it makes it easier to coordinate with the second rescuer who maintains an airway seal and delivers breaths with a bag-mask device. The smaller size of an infant makes the alternative approaches impractical or less effective: using a heel-of-hand or one-handed method doesn’t provide the correct depth for an infant, and a two-handed technique isn’t suited to the infant’s tiny chest.