Would you know how to carry out CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on your baby in an emergency? We’re joined by Hayley Gardyj of HCRG Care Group who’s here to explain how she saved her own son at eight weeks old. She believes it is vital that all new parents should learn paediatric CPR and has started a campaign named after her son to raise awareness, in partnership with the British Red Cross.
Why Learning CPR For Babies Is So Vital
Nearly three years ago I had to put into practice what I had learned from a British Red Cross CPR training video on my own baby.
However, according to the Resuscitation Council UK, fewer than 5% of us would be able to spot the signs of cardiac arrest in an infant and less than a third would feel confident to carry out lifesaving CPR. Currently there is no obligation to learn paediatric CPR in the UK, but why? Along with choking, sepsis, seizures and many more subjects of concern for babies and children, none of this important information is included at your baby’s postnatal checks.
We can learn emergency CPR at the touch of a button. So why is CPR and First Aid training not taught to new parents and carers at their baby’s birth? Here is my story and why learning paediatric CPR is so important for all parents.
My Story – A Trip To The Shops On A Hot Day
My name is Hayley, and I am a mum of three. In July 2022, I saved my baby’s life when he was just eight weeks old by performing paediatric CPR. Brodie was born prematurely and I had learnt independently how to do this whilst sitting looking at him in his incubator. I taught myself using a British Red Cross online tutorial.
My story starts when I took one of my first trips out with Brodie by going food shopping. This went well and he was content and happy with no cause for concern. However, I made one more stop before heading home that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
My Story – Brodie’s Unusual Cry
I made a quick trip to the vets to pick up a prescription for my dog. It was a terribly hot day and Brodie was asleep. I parked next to the vets and left the door ajar with the air conditioning on. Popping my head into the door of the vets – a metre away from the car, – I asked them to provide my dog’s prescription while I waited by Brodie.
Brodie woke and began to cry. I got in the car and thought to myself that he’d settle on the way home, but something told me that this cry was not his normal cry and that something wasn’t right. I got out of the car and tried to console him. But he was not settling and his cry escalated. I thought to myself, “I’ll move into the shade. Maybe it’s the sun upsetting him.”
Then, he just stopped crying! I looked down at him and he was limp and floppy. He had a blue tinge around his mouth and he was pale with a swollen and puffy face.
What Happened Next – How I Performed Emergency CPR On My Baby
I ran into the veterinary clinic whilst screaming for help. I shouted, “My baby’s stopped breathing. Please call 999”. I ran to the waiting room chairs and put Brodie down but I could see that he was still not breathing. I listened to his heart, and he was gone!
So I started emergency paediatric CPR and did what I remembered from the paediatric CPR training course.
What Happened Next – Using A Flat Surface For Chest Compressions And Rescue Breaths
I instantly started chest compressions and could see that Brodie was bouncing as the chair was bowed and not a flat surface. I remembered in a flash the video I watched and the trainer saying that it must be done on a flat surface. So I stood up holding my baby in fear and shouted that I needed a flat surface.
The vet rushed me into the clinic room where I placed Brodie on the vet table covered in dog hair. I gave him rescue breaths and continued compressions. The vet helped me and kept a stethoscope on him whilst I carried out the CPR, listening for any heartbeat. It took around three to four minutes before the vet heard a heartbeat.
What Happened Next – How The Vet Helped With An Oxygen Mask
Once the vet heard a heartbeat, we then moved Brodie to another vet’s clinic room where they put an animal oxygen mask on Brodie. The vet used a syringe to remove the blood in Brodie’s mouth (which was there as a result of the compressions). Whilst all of this was happening, the other staff were on the telephone to 999 awaiting news on their arrival and any instructions.
They say your life flashes before your eyes – and his life did. I just thought of my other two children and them not having their little brother. How was I going to tell them that Brodie had gone? So many thoughts went through my head.
How I Saved My Baby’s Life
A multitude of ambulance crews, an air ambulance and my husband descended on the site. Brodie and I were rushed to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where we spent a week in the high dependency unit.
I didn’t do everything by the book, but I remembered elements of the training. Whatever I did, it worked!
I saved his life!
I believe that it is better to have some knowledge than not any at all, which is why I opted to have the training – and I am so relieved that I did it. If I hadn’t watched those training videos, he wouldn’t be with us now.
CPR For Parents – Why It’s So Important
I hope that my story will help to encourage more parents to learn what to do in emergency situations, even if it is just looking online or watching a quick explainer video.
Since that awful incident, I have worked with the British Red Cross to produce a CPR video to go out to all new parents and health professionals. You can scan the QR code below to see it. I have worked with Health Visitors, School Nurses, Midwives, Paediatric Consultants and GPs who all promote this life-saving skill.
What I Do Now – Brodie’s CPR Campaign
Brodie’s CPR Campaign has reached over two million viewers with an audience at a national level, appearing live on Channel 5 News, ITV local news and upcoming BBC Points West. Local hospitals, midwives, Health Visitors and Paediatric Consultants are all invested in my cause. To add to this, I am promoting this life-saving skill with SMA Baby and Emma’s Diary, who are promoting the video to all their readers as well as national and regional publications.
Brodie is now a happy and healthy toddler. I want to empower other parents if they ever need to perform emergency paediatric CPR to save their baby or child’s life.
With Special Thanks To Hayley Gardyj For Sharing Your Story
Follow, share and support Brodie’s CPR Campaign on Facebook
We’d love to hear from you. This Is Family is all about sharing family stories. Especially from families who feel like their voices are not often heard. Every family has a unique story to tell. We’d love to hear yours. Find out how you can feature on our blog and get involved. So that other parents can feel less alone.
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