Anyone can be affected by cardiac arrest—even children. There are several differences between adult and child CPR—it’s important to take note of them.

1. Child CPR
Learn child CPR step-
by-step.

2. Child CPR
• Anyone can be
affected by cardiac
arrest—even
children.
• There are several
differences
between adult and
child CPR—it’s
important to take
note of them.

3. Check the Scene
• Is it safe to provide
assistance?
• Things that may harm
you or the victim
include fires, falling
debris, risk of
electrocution, or
other hazards.

4. Check for a Response
• Check the victim for a response.
• Don’t check the pulse unless you are a trained
physician.
• Ask the victim, “Are you okay?”

5. Call Emergency Services
• Get help fast.
• Call 911 or get someone to do it for you.

6. Chest Compressions
• Place the heel of one
hand on the lower part
of the center of the
chest, and the heel of
the other hand on top,
so they overlap.
• Lock your elbows.
• Have your arms at 90
degrees from the
victim’s chest.

7. Chest Compressions
• For very small children, you may only need to use
one hand to perform chest compressions.
• Compress the victim’s chest approximately 1/3
the depth of the chest.
• Do 30 compressions.

8. Chest Compressions
• Allow the victim’s chest to completely recoil
between compressions so the heart can fill with
blood.
• Your beat should be fast and hard—about 100
per minute. Think the BeeGees’ hit, “Stayin’
Alive.”

9. Ventilations
• After 30 compressions, open the airway by tilting
the head back and lifting the chin.
• Pinch the nose shut and make a complete seal
over the victim’s mouth with yours.

10. Ventilations
• Deliver 2 breaths.
• Each ventilation should last about 1 second in
duration.
• Check to make sure the victim’s chest moved—if
not, you’ll need to reposition the head.

11. Ventilations
• Give one breath at 3 to 5 second intervals.
• The compression to ventilation ratio for children
is 30:2 if there is only a single rescuer.

12. Multiple Rescuers
• If there is more than
one person available
to perform CPR, take
turns to avoid
fatigue.
• For children, the
compression to
breath ratio is 15:2 if
there are multiple
rescuers.

13. Child CPR Differences
• Compression to breath ratio for 2 rescuer CPR is
15:2.
• Depth of chest compression is at least one third
the depth of the chest (approximately 2 inches).
• 1 or 2 handed compression technique for small
children.
• “Hands-only” CPR (doing chest compressions
with no breaths) is not recommended for
children.

14. Free CPR Course
• Visit OnlineCPRCertification.net to take a free
CPR course, watch how-to videos, and brush up
on your life saving skills.
• Studies have shown that 15 minutes of training
can be just as effective as a 4 hour course when
it comes to saving a life.
• Download our free CPR ebook.