Chapter 9: Child and Infant CPR

Children and infants often experience cardiac arrest because of breathing problems. Rescue breaths are especially important.

Child CPR

If alone and the collapse was not witnessed:

• Give 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths (about 2 minutes) before leaving to call 9-1-1.

Compressions:

• Use one hand (or two if needed).
• Compress at least 2 inches deep (about 1/3 chest depth).
• Rate: 100–120 per minute.

Airway and breaths are the same as adults.

Infant CPR

Compressions:

• Use either the two-thumb encircling hands technique or, if you cannot encircle the chest, compress the sternum with the heel of one hand.
• Hand placement should be in the center of the chest just below the nipple line.
• Compress about 1½ inches (1/3 chest depth).
• Rate: 100–120 per minute.

Airway:

• Tilt the head slightly.
• Do not over-tilt.

Breaths:

• Cover both the mouth and nose with your mouth.
• Give gentle breaths.
• Watch for chest rise.

If alone and collapse was not witnessed:

• Give 5 cycles before leaving to call 9-1-1.

Child and Infant 2-Rescuer CPR

When two healthcare providers are present:

• Use a 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
• Compress at least one-third the depth of the chest:
  • Child: about 2 inches (5 cm)
  • Infant: about 1½ inches (4 cm)
• For infants, use the two-thumb encircling technique when possible.

Switch roles every 2 minutes to maintain high-quality compressions. Minimize interruptions in compressions and keep pauses under 10 seconds whenever possible.