BLS Certification Manual: Compressions for Infants & Children

Compressions for Infants & Children

High-quality pediatric CPR requires age-appropriate compression technique, depth, and compression-to-ventilation ratios.

Infant Compressions

For an infant younger than 1 year:

1. Place the infant on their back on a firm, flat surface
2. Position yourself beside the infant
3. Use either the heel of one hand over the center of the chest or the two-thumb encircling-hands technique
4. Compress at 100-120 compressions per minute
5. Compress at least one-third the depth of the chest, approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)
6. Allow the chest to fully recoil after each compression
7. Minimize interruptions

Infant Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio

For one rescuer:

30 compressions : 2 breaths

For two trained rescuers:

15 compressions : 2 breaths

When two rescuers are providing infant CPR, the two-thumb encircling-hands technique is preferred when it can be performed effectively.

Child Compressions

For a child approximately 1 year of age until signs of puberty:

1. Place the child on their back on a firm, flat surface
2. Position the heel of one hand in the center of the chest on the lower half of the breastbone
3. Use one or two hands depending on the child's size and the force needed to achieve proper depth
4. Compress at 100-120 compressions per minute
5. Compress at least one-third the depth of the chest, approximately 2 inches (5 cm)
6. Allow the chest to fully recoil after each compression
7. Minimize interruptions

Child Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio

For one rescuer:

30 compressions : 2 breaths

For two trained rescuers:

15 compressions : 2 breaths

Switching Compressors

When multiple trained responders are available, switch compressors approximately every 2 minutes or sooner if fatigue begins to reduce compression quality. Make the switch quickly to minimize interruption of chest compressions.