Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Children

A child is considered to be between one year to puberty for the purposes of these instructions. It is neither necessary nor appropriate to check if a child has reached puberty.

• If you have someone with you, send them to dial 112 for an ambulance immediately.
• If you are on your own carry out CPR for one minute before dialling 112 for an ambulance.

Attempt to give five rescue breaths

• Ensure the airway is open.
• Seal your lips around the child’s mouth while pinching the nose.
• Blow gently into the lungs, looking along the chest as you breathe. Take shallow breaths and do not empty your lungs completely.
• As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall.
• Repeat four more times then check for circulation.

Give 30 chest compressions

• Place one or two hands in the centre of the chest (depending on the size of the child.
• Use the heel of that hand with arms straight and press down to a third of the depth of the chest.
• Press 30 times, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
• After 30 compressions, attempt to give two rescue breaths.

Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to two rescue breaths) without stopping until help arrives.

Notes:

• If you are alone, carry out rescue breaths and chest compressions for one minute before leaving the child to call an ambulance.
• If you are familiar with adult CPR and have no knowledge of child CPR, use the adult sequence.
• It is possible to identify the correct hand position without removing the child's clothes.

Please note:

These first aid tips are no substitute for thorough knowledge of first aid.

Attend a St John Ambulance first aid course.