CPR Review: CPR Procedures for Adult, Child, Infant, and Pets

What is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Adult, Child, and Infant?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique used to restore and maintain circulation and breathing in a person during a medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest.

Adults: It is important to perform CPR on adults to restore the function of the heart and lungs when the heart is not beating due to cardiac arrest or other life-threatening emergency situations. It can also help support circulation until Emergency Medical Services arrive.

‍Children: Since children’s hearts and lungs are smaller and weaker than those of adults, immediate CPR for pediatric patient is important to increase the chances of recovering from cardiac arrest. It can also help support their circulation and increase their chances of survival until Emergency Medical Services arrive.

‍Infants: It is important to perform CPR on infants since their hearts and lungs are even more fragile than those of adults and children. Early treatment is key in helping to revive an infant and restoring their heart and lung function, as well as providing support until medical assistance can arrive.
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Correct CPR Procedures for Adults

Check responsiveness by tapping the shoulder and shouting, "Are you ok?"
Call 911 and get an AED if the adult victim is unresponsive
Check pulse and breathing for no more than 10 seconds
Perform rescue breathing only if the victim is not breathing but has a pulse
Open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique
Ensure each rescue breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise
Hand position for CPR on adults: Two hands centered on the chest
Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
The CPR ratio for adult 1 rescuer is 30:2 (30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths)
Chest compression Depth: 2-2.4 inches deep
Compression Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute
Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each compression.
Use Automated External Defibrillator once available.
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Correct CPR Procedure for Children 1-year-old and above

Check responsiveness by tapping the shoulder and shouting, "Are you ok?"
Check pulse and breathing for no more than 10 seconds
If the collapse is witnessed, call 911 and get an AED immediately.
If the collapse is unwitnessed, perform 2 minutes of CPR, call 911, get an AED, and return to the victim to continue CPR.
Perform rescue breathing only if the victim is not breathing but has a pulse
Open the airway to a slightly past-neutral position using the head tilt/chin-lift.
Ensure each rescue breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise
Hand position: One or two hands centered on the chest
Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
The CPR ratio for 1 rescuer is 30:2
The CPR ratio for 2 rescuers is 15:2 (switch every 2 minutes)
Compression Depth: 2 inches deep
Compression Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute
Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each compression.
Use Automated External Defibrillator once available.
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Correct CPR Procedures for Infants (1-year-old below)

Check responsiveness by tapping the bottom of the baby’s foot
Check pulse and breathing for no more than 10 seconds
Perform 2 minutes of CPR, call 911, get an AED, and return to the victim to continue CPR.
Perform rescue breathing only if the victim is not breathing but has a pulse
Open the airway to a neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift
Ensure each rescue breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise
Place both thumbs (side-by-side) on the center of the baby’s chest, just below the nipple line
The CPR ratio for 1 rescuer is 30:2
The CPR ratio for 2 rescuers is 15:2 (switch every 2 minutes)
Compression Depth: 1 ½ inch deep
Compression Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute
Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each compression.
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CPR for Pets

Pets are part of the family, and just like learning First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to ensure the well-being of adults and children, having the necessary knowledge of first aid for cats and dogs can provide you with the tools to care for them properly.
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CPR procedure for Dogs and Cats

Check to see if the pet is breathing and check for a heartbeat.
Place the heel of one hand over the pet’s chest and the other hand over the first hand.
Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
1 person CPR ratio is 30:2
Chest compression rate: 100-120 per minute.
Compression depth: 1/3 to 1/2 the width of your pet’s chest.
Gently close the pet’s mouth and extend the neck to open the airway.
Give rescue breath through the pet's nose until you see the chest rise.
Briefly check for breathing and a heartbeat every 2 minutes.
Continue CPR until veterinary care is available.
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Learning lifesaving skills like CPR is essential because most cardiac arrest incidents occur out of the hospital. The victim can die or suffer permanent brain damage if not given the necessary help whenever such occurs. When a victim is provided with the proper treatment, he has a better chance of survival since the extent of damage is contained.

Become CPR Certified by taking CPR/AED Certification class that follows the latest American Heart Association Guidelines for Emergency Cardiovascular Care.