Child and Infant CPR/Choking
Know what to do in an emergency
Assess the Situation
If an adult appears unconscious or in need of help:
1. Check for Responsiveness - Tap the victim's shoulder and shout "Are you okay?"
- If responsive, ask for consent to call emergency services, then stay with the victim until emergency services arrive, administering first aid if needed
- If there is no response, administer 2 minutes of care before calling 9-1-1, then continue administering care until emergency services arrive
2. Clear Airway and Check for Breathing - Tilt the head and lift the chin, then listen for breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If there is no breathing, give 2 rescue breaths.
- If there is breathing, treat any other injuries then wait for emergency services to arrive
- If the victim is gasping or choking or their chest does not rise when you give rescue breaths, then treat them for choking
- If there is no breathing and the victim is not choking, then administer CPR
Conscious Choking
Child - Give 5 back blows (bend them over at the waist, then hit between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand) followed by 5 abdominal thrusts (wrap arms around the waist, give a quick upward thrust with hands), and continue this until the person can breathe or becomes unconscious.
Infant - Give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts (place fingers in middle of chest, compress 1 1/2") until the infant can cough, cry, or breathe or becomes unconscious.
Unconscious Choking
If victim is unconscious and unable to breathe, give 2 rescue breaths, 30 chest compressions, then try to dislodge the object. Repeat if you are unable to dislodge the object.
Child/Infant CPR (C-A-B)
Compressions
Give 30 compressions at a pace on 100 beats per minute. For a child, use one hand to compress the chest 2 inches. For an infant, use 2 or 3 fingers to compress the chest 1 1/2".
Airway
Tilt the head back to clear the airway and listen for breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Check for a pulse on the caroted artery of a child or the inside of an infant's elbow. If there is breathing and a pulse, wait for emergency services. If not, then continue with CPR.
Breathing
Administer 2 rescue breaths, breathing enough to see the chest rise, or about 1 second. If you are uncomfortable with this step, you can skip it and continue with compressions. Continue CPR until the victim is breathing and has a pulse or emergency care arrives.