What are the CPR Steps For Adults, Children and Infants?

CPR Steps - Adult, Child, InfantThe CPR steps vary depending on who you are performing it on. Although you may have had training or taken classes recently, it’s still a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation as often as possible so that you are prepared in case of emergency.

Learning how to do CPR is a smart idea for anyone, especially new parents, as it could mean the difference between life and death. But getting certification is one thing…having the confidence to act if called upon is something else entirely. That’s why going over it again and again is something every CPR-certified individual should do.

Now although the process is similar for all age groups, infant CPR is different than child CPR which is different than adult CPR. Let’s take a look at each…

CPR Steps For Adults

According to the American Heart Association, you first need to assess the situation and the individual. Is the environment safe? Is the individual conscious or unconscious? If the latter, you should lightly shake or tap the individual and ask them if they are OK.

If there is no response and you are alone, call 911 right away and then start CPR. If there is someone else there or within ear shot, tell them to call 911 immediately as you start the process, which should begin with an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. If not, move on the CRP steps below.

The most important thing to remember is the acronym CAB, which stands for compressions, airway, breathing. Perhaps think of a cab rushing the person to the nearest hospital.

1. Start off with compressions….

Just like you see on TV, you should place the individual on his back on a solid surface, and kneel close to his neck/head. Put the heel (bottom) of your hand over the center of the person’s chest right at nipple level. Put your other hand over the first hand and put yourself in a position where your shoulders are above where your hands are.

With your upper body strength, push straight down about 2 inches at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

Now the next of the CPR steps depend on whether or not you are trained in CPR. If you aren’t or you aren’t comfortable, just keep doing the chest compressions until the EMT arrives. If however you are certified and you feel confident, move on to the airway phase.

2. Open up the airway….

After 30 chest compressions, tilt the person’s head back with your palm and lift the chin up with your other hand. That puts him in the correct position for you to start the third CPR step, breathing.

3. Begin the breathing…

First, pinch the nostrils closed so the air you breath in does not escape. Place your mouth over his, creating a tight seal. Give a single one second breath, and take a look to see if his chest rises. If it does, you can proceed with another one second breath. If you do not see the chest rise, try the airway opening technique above and then proceed with breath #2.

When you have performed 30 chest compressions and two breaths, that is considered one cycle. You can then start the cycle all over again: 30 more compressions, 2 more breaths.

If an AED is made available at some point during the CPR process, give one shock, do CPR for two more minutes, then give one more shock. If no AED, continue the CPR until you see the individual respond or the EMT arrives.

CPR Steps For Children

Child CPR is the same as adult CPR with a few recommended modifications. Here are the steps for children.

If you are by yourself and did not witness the incident, do 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths (about 2 minutes worth) before you call 911. If you did witness it, call 911 first and then start the CPR steps. If there is someone else there, have them call 911 while you start CPR.

1. Start off with compressions….

Just like with adult CPR, you begin with chest compressions. If the child is very small, just use one hand. Push down at least 2 inches (but less than 2.4 inches) at the same 100-120 per minute compression rate.

2. Open up the airway….

Perform the head back, chin up process the same way as you would on an adult, just be extra careful with a small child.

3. Begin the breathing…

Administer the two breaths the same way, a one second breath followed by another one. Then start the cycle over again.

If an AED becomes available, preferably pediatric ones for children under 8 years of age, give one shock, followed by two minutes of CPR, then another shock.

If no AED, continue child CPR until the EMT arrives or you see signs of life.

CPR Steps For Infants (Under Age 1)

Infant CPR is slightly different than that for a child or adult. When babies go into cardiac arrest it is typically a result of drowning or choking. If it’s the latter, and there’s something blocking the airway, you should follow first aid protocol for choking victims, not CPR.

If however you don’t know why the baby is not breathing, gently stroke the baby to see if you get any kind of response. If not, assume CPR is in order. Here are the CPR steps for infants…

If you are by yourself and did not witness the incident, do 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths (about 2 minutes worth) before you call 911, just like you would on an older child. If you did witness the baby stop breathing, call 911 first and then start the CPR steps. If there is someone else there, have them call 911 while you start CPR on the infant.

1. Start off with compressions….

Just like with adult and child CPR, you begin with chest compressions. However here you are just using 2 fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line. Gently push down about 1.5 inches at a rate of 100-120 compressions a minute.

2. Open up the airway….

Perform the head back, chin up process the same way as you would on an adult or child, just be extra careful with a baby.

3. Begin the breathing…

Instead of just creating a seal over the mouth like you would with adult and child CPR, with a baby you cover the nose as well with your mouth. Give a gentle puff rather than a forceful breath.

Administer the two breaths the same way, a one second breath followed by another one. Then start the cycle over again.

Continue baby CPR until the EMT arrives or you see signs of life.

How to Do CPR – A Summary

The most important thing to remember here is that even if you aren’t 100% confident in your abilities, it’s always better to do something than nothing. At the very least, call 911 as quickly as possible and attempt the chest compressions portion of the CRP steps.

Whether the unconscious individual is a baby, a child or an adult, the process is relatively the same. The only real difference is that with a baby your mouth is covering the baby’s mouth AND nose, and your compressions are with two fingers instead of the whole hand.

Also, with child and infant CPR, you should do 5 cycles first before you call 911 if you are alone. With an adult you call 911 first.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have to perform CPR, try to remain as calm and composed as possible. That way you will have the best possible outcome.