Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Infants

A baby is considered to be less than one year old for the purposes of these instructions.

• 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 baby’s mouth and nose.
• Blow gently into the lungs, looking along the chest as you breathe. Fill your cheeks with air and use this amount each time.
• As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall.
• Repeat this five times.

Give 30 chest compressions:

• Place the baby on a firm surface.
• Locate a position in centre of the chest.
• Using two fingers, press down sharply 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, give two Rescue Breath.
• Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to two attempts at giving rescue breaths) without stopping until help arrives.

Notes:

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