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Child & Infant CPR

Different technique for under-1 and children. Breaths matter more.

criticalHIGH-CONFIDENCE GUIDANCEReviewed 2026-08-18
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RECOGNIZE

  • The child or infant does not respond to voice or gentle stimulation.
  • They are not breathing normally, or only gasping.
  • In babies, tap the sole of the foot instead of shaking.
  • Cardiac arrest in children is most often caused by a breathing problem, so rescue breaths matter.

CALL

  • If you are alone, give 1 minute of CPR first, then call 112 — then continue CPR.
  • If someone else is present, they should call 112 immediately while you start CPR.

DO NOW

  1. 1CHECK RESPONSEChild: tap the shoulders and shout. Infant: tap the sole of the foot. Never shake a baby.
  2. 2CHECK BREATHINGOpen the airway with a gentle head tilt and look at the chest for up to 10 seconds.
  3. 3GIVE 5 RESCUE BREATHSIf trained and willing, start with 5 gentle breaths — enough to just make the chest rise.
  4. 4START COMPRESSIONSChild: one or two hands on the centre of the chest. Infant: two fingers on the centre of the chest.
  5. 5PUSH ABOUT ONE THIRD OF CHEST DEPTHAbout 5 cm in a child, about 4 cm in an infant, at 100–120 per minute.
  6. 630:2, OR 15:2 WITH TWO RESCUERSAlternate compressions with 2 breaths and call 112 after 1 minute if you are still alone.

DO NOT DO

  • DO NOT use adult compression depth or force on an infant.
  • DO NOT shake a baby to check for response.
  • DO NOT use abdominal thrusts on an infant who is choking.
  • DO NOT tilt an infant's head far back — a gentle neutral tilt is enough.
  • DO NOT stop CPR to repeatedly check for a pulse.

WHILE WAITING FOR HELP

  • Continue CPR until the child breathes normally or trained responders take over.
  • Use an AED with paediatric pads or settings if available; use adult pads if that is all you have, front and back on an infant.
  • Keep the child warm.
  • Note the time the collapse and CPR started.

WHEN TO ESCALATE

  • Normal breathing returns → recovery position and keep watching closely.
  • Breathing stops again → restart CPR immediately.

AFTERCARE

  • Every child who required CPR needs immediate hospital care.
  • Common causes in India include drowning, choking and severe respiratory infection — prevention matters.
Open CPR Metronome

CPR rhythm · 110 per minute

PUSH

Push hard in the centre of the chest. At least 5 cm deep, not more than about 6 cm. Let the chest come fully back up each time.

Keep going until the person breathes normally or trained responders take over.

MEDICAL SOURCES

  • European Resuscitation Council

    ERC Guidelines — Basic Life Support and First Aid

    Published / updated 2021 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

    Open source

  • American Heart Association

    Guidelines for CPR and ECC — Basic Life Support / First Aid

    Published / updated 2020 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

    Open source

  • ILCOR

    International Consensus on CPR Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR)

    Published / updated 2023 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

    Open source

This content is educational first-aid guidance and does not replace emergency medical care. Guidelines can change. Verify clinical guidance periodically.

Related emergencies

Not Breathing / Unconscious (Cardiac Arrest)Heart Attack / Chest PainStrokeChokingSevere Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
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