CPR Techniques for Young Children and Infants

CPR steps for children aged eight years or younger are the same as for adults and older children, but the technique is slightly different.

CPR for children aged 1-8 years

To perform CPR on children aged 1-8 years:

• Use the heel of one hand only for compressions, compressing to one third of chest depth
• Follow the basic steps for performing CPR described above

CPR for infants (up to 12 months of age)

To perform CPR on infants (up to 12 months of age):

• Place the infant on their back. Do not tilt their head back or lift their chin (this is not necessary as their heads are still large in comparison to their bodies)
• Perform mouth-to-mouth by covering the infant's nose and mouth with your mouth - remember to use only a small breath
• Do chest compressions, using two fingers of one hand, to about one third of chest depth
• Follow the basic steps for performing CPR described above

Basic Life Support Rates and Ratios

The following table is an overview of the recommended rates and ratios that should be used when administering Basic Life Support to adults, children and infants.

Notes:

• Measurements and definitions are approximate and are a guide only. Aim towards giving 100 compressions per minute
• Keep the variability between individual's sizes in mind. When performing compressions it is important to ensure that pressure from the hand and/or fingers is not placed over the abdomen and abdominal organs
• Maximum head tilt should not be used for infants. However, jaw support is essential. The amount of head tilt required to create an open airway increases with the age of the child
• For infants, give gentle puffs of air from the cheeks. Use enough pressure to cause chest to rise
• First aiders need to achieve 100 compressions per minute

What to do if the person recovers during CPR

CPR may revive the person before the ambulance arrives. If they do revive:

• Review the person's condition if signs of life return (coughing, movement or normal breathing). If the person is breathing on their own, stop CPR and place them on their side with their head tilted back
• If the person is not breathing, continue full CPR until the ambulance arrives
• Be ready to recommence CPR if the person stops breathing or becomes unresponsive or unconscious again. Stay by their side until medical help arrives. Talk reassuringly to them

It is important not to interrupt chest compressions or stop CPR prematurely to check for signs of life - if in doubt, continue full CPR until help arrives. It is unlikely you will do harm if you give chest compressions to someone with a beating heart. Regular recovery (pulse) checks are not recommended as they may interrupt chest compressions and delay resuscitation.

Stopping CPR

Generally, CPR is stopped for one of the following reasons:

• The person revives and starts breathing again on their own
• Medical help, such as ambulance paramedics, arrives to take over
• The person performing the CPR is forced to stop from physical exhaustion

Where to get help

• In an emergency, call triple zero (000)
• For training in CPR, contact St John Ambulance Australia, Victoria Tel. 1300 360 455
• For training in CPR, contact Australian Red Cross Tel. 1300 367 428

Things to remember

• Always call triple zero (000) in an emergency
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac compressions to deliver oxygen and artificial circulation to an unresponsive person until medical help arrives
• Cardiac or chest compressions are the priority in CPR
• CPR is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn