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
999 (or 112) for an ambulance
immediately.
- If you are on your own carry out CPR for 1 min
before dialling 999 (or 112) for an
ambulance.
Give 5 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 1 or 2 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 compressions per minute.
- After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breath.
Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to 2
rescue breaths) without stopping until help arrives.
Notes:
- If you are alone, carry out rescue breaths and chest
compressions for 1 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.
Related topics
Please note:
These hints are no substitute for thorough knowledge of first
aid! St John Ambulance holds first aid
courses throughout the country.