CPR Certification Manual: Compressions for Infants & Children

Compressions for Infants & Children

Children and infants require the same basic CPR priorities as adults, but compression depth and technique are adjusted for their smaller body size. CPR with both compressions and breaths is preferred for pediatric cardiac arrest.

Infant Chest Compressions

For an infant younger than 1 year:

Place the infant on their back on a firm, flat surface.

Use either:

• The heel of one hand over the center of the chest, or
• A two-thumb technique, with the hands encircling the chest when practical

The older two-finger compression technique is no longer recommended.

Compress:

• At 100-120 compressions per minute
• At least one-third the depth of the chest
• Approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Allow complete recoil between compressions.

Compression-to-Breath Ratio

For a single rescuer providing CPR to a child or infant:

30 compressions : 2 breaths

Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths.

Child Chest 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 a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute
5. Compress at least one-third the depth of the chest, approximately 2 inches (5 cm)
6. Allow complete chest recoil after every compression

Use enough force to achieve adequate depth without unnecessarily excessive compression.

If Breaths Cannot Be Given

CPR with breaths is preferred for children and infants. If you are unable or unwilling to provide rescue breaths, give continuous chest compressions rather than providing no CPR.

Special Note: For one rescuer, use 30 compressions to 2 breaths. In BLS, two trained rescuers may use a 15:2 ratio for infants and children.