Front/back placement is an accepted approach when pads placed on the chest would otherwise touch on a small child. By putting one pad on the chest (anterior) and the other on the back (posterior), you prevent pad-to-pad contact and still allow the electrical current to pass through the heart effectively. This is done especially when pediatric pads are not available and the child is small enough that chest pads might overlap. Ensure the skin is dry and clean, and use pediatric pads if possible; otherwise, use the same anterior-posterior concept with the pads you have.

With two rescuers present for an infant, the two-thumb encircling hands technique on the chest is used. Place both thumbs on the center of the chest (just below the nipple line) and wrap the fingers around the infant’s back to support the torso. This arrangement allows for deep, controlled compressions with good chest recoil while the other rescuer can manage breaths or the airway. The two-finger technique is typically used by a single rescuer, and one-handed compressions aren’t appropriate for infants; back blows are for choking crises, not CPR.

In suspected poisoning, the priority is to limit exposure and get professional guidance. The best action is to move away from the source, call Poison Control or emergency services, and do not induce vomiting unless advised by a professional. This approach reduces ongoing harm from the poison and brings in experts who can identify the substance, assess risk, and provide specific decontamination and treatment steps. Inducing vomiting is not routinely recommended because it can cause the person to choke or inhale vomit into the lungs, and it can worsen injuries if the substance is caustic or irritating. Some substances are more dangerous to bring back up, and professionals can determine whether any antidotes or other treatments are needed. If the person is unresponsive, having trouble breathing, or you’re unsure what was swallowed, call for help immediately and follow instructions from the dispatcher or Poison Control. After contacting help, monitor the person, keep them calm, and avoid giving food or drink unless told otherwise. If the person’s condition worsens or they stop breathing, begin CPR if trained and continue until help arrives.

When poisoning is suspected, the first priority is to limit further exposure and get professional guidance. Move away from the source to fresh air, and if safe to do so, remove contaminated clothing and rinse exposed skin or eyes with running water. Then call Poison Control or emergency services for specific instructions, giving them what you know about the substance and the person’s age and symptoms. Do not induce vomiting unless a trained professional tells you to, because vomiting can cause harm: it can irritate or burn the throat, lead to aspiration into the lungs, or be dangerous depending on the substance involved. While awaiting help, monitor the person’s breathing and responsiveness, and be prepared to perform CPR if they become unresponsive. Avoid home remedies or giving anything by mouth unless advised by a professional.

In outdoor hypothermia, warming needs to be gentle and controlled, with attention to the patient’s breathing. Hypothermia slows metabolism and can depress breathing, so warming too quickly or with direct heat to the skin can cause dangerous heart rhythms, tissue damage, or afterdrop (a further cooling of the core as cold blood returns to the center). The safest approach is gradual rewarming while you continuously monitor breathing. Use insulating blankets and dry, warm clothing to cover the person and protect against further heat loss, focusing warmth on the trunk while avoiding excessive exposure or vigorous rubbing. If breathing becomes shallow or stops, provide appropriate airway support or CPR as needed. Exposing large areas of skin, doing nothing while waiting for rescue, or applying direct, rapid heat to the skin are not appropriate strategies.