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.
