CPR

• CPR


  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• How to do CPR on a child

  1. Call 999

  2. Give 5 initial breaths

  3. Then 30 compressions and 2 breaths

  4. Repeat 30:2

  5. Use defibrillator if available
• If a child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you need to call 999 or 112 immediately for emergency help and start CPR straight away
• Primary survey


  • Check for response, open the airway and check for normal breathing and signs of life for no more than 10 seconds
• Steps for CPR on a child

  1. Place them on a firm surface and open their airway

  2. Give 30 chest compressions

  3. Give 5 initial rescue breaths

  4. After 30 compressions, open the airway and give two breaths

  5. Keep alternating 30 compressions with two breaths (30:2) until emergency help arrives, the child starts showing signs of life, or a defibrillator is ready
• It is vital that you perform rescue breaths as a cardiac arrest in a child is likely caused by a respiratory problem
• Using a defibrillator


  1. Ask helper to switch it on and take the pads out while you continue with CPR

  2. Remove or cut through clothing to get to the casualty's bare chest

  3. Wipe away any sweat

  4. Attach the pads to the casualty's chest

  5. The defibrillator will analyse the heart's rhythm and give prompts on what to do
• If the child shows signs of becoming responsive


  Put them in the recovery position and monitor their level of response
• If you have used a defibrillator, leave it attached
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• Home Get advice First aid advice Paediatric first aid How to do CPR on a baby (under one year old)
• How to do baby CPR (under one year old)
• If a baby is not responding to you and not breathing normally, you will need to call 999 or 112 for emergency help immediately and start CPR straight away. Learn what to do.
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• Emergency advice Baby CPR: Call 999. If alone give CPR for a minute first. Give 5 initial puffs. Then 30 pumps and 2 puffs. Repeat 30:2.
• CPR


  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Knowing how to do CPR can give your baby the best chance of survival.
• Rescue breaths must be performed on a child, as cardiac arrest in children is likely to be caused by a respiratory problem.
• If a child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you need to call 999 or 112 immediately for emergency help and start CPR straight away.
• What to do


  1. Perform a primary survey

  2. If baby is unresponsive and not breathing normally, ask a helper to call 999/112 while you start CPR

  3. If alone, give 5 rescue breaths then phone 999/112

  4. Continue CPR as directed by 999/112 advisor

  5. If alone without speaker phone, give 1 minute CPR before dialling 999/112

  6. Place baby on firm surface, open airway

  7. Give 5 initial puffs

  8. If chest doesn't rise, reposition airway and try again

  9. If chest still doesn't rise, move to CPR

  10. Give 30 pumps, 2 puffs, repeat 30:2

  11. If baby shows signs of life, put in recovery position

  12. Monitor and prepare to give CPR again if necessary
• Clinically reviewed by Dr Lynn Thomas, MStJ, BSc, MBBS, MA, FRCP
• Page review date: 29 January 2024
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• Related first aid advice How to do a baby primary survey The primary survey is a quick way to find out how to treat any life threating conditions a baby may have using DRABC. Learn what to do.
• How to do CPR on a child If a child is unresponsive and not breathing normally you will need to call 999 or 112 for emergency help and perform child CPR straight away. Learn what to do.
• How to do CPR on an adult If an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you need to call 999 or 112 for emergency help and start CPR straight away. Learn what to do.
• You might also be interested in... How to perform CPR on a baby Defibrillators a guide for first time buyers
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• Page review date: 07 March 2024
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