When two BLS providers resuscitate an infant, what should they do?

In an infant resuscitation scenario with two Basic Life Support (BLS) providers, the recommended practice is for one provider to deliver high-quality chest compressions while the other provides rescue breaths. This approach is based on the physiological needs of infants during cardiac arrest and the need to maintain adequate circulation and oxygenation.

High-quality chest compressions are essential for maintaining blood flow to vital organs, especially the heart and brain. Infants have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, which makes them more susceptible to the effects of poor ventilation and oxygen deprivation. Thus, it is critical that one provider focuses on administering proper compressions to achieve an adequate cardiac output.

Meanwhile, the second provider's role in delivering rescue breaths is crucial for ensuring that the infant receives enough oxygen. The breath delivery should be synchronized with the compressions, typically at a ratio of 15 compressions to 2 breaths.

This division of labor maximizes the effectiveness of the resuscitation efforts and adheres to established guidelines for infant resuscitation, ensuring that both ventilation (oxygen delivery) and circulation (blood flow) are adequately addressed.