Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Infants
A baby is considered to be less than one year old for
the purposes of these instructions.
- If you have someone with you, send them to dial
999 (or 112) for an ambulance
immediately.
- If you are on your own carry out CPR for one
minute before dialling 999 (or 112) for
an ambulance.
Give five rescue breaths:
- Ensure the airway is open.
- Seal your lips around the baby’s mouth and nose.
- Blow gently into the lungs, looking along the chest as you
breathe. Fill your cheeks with air and use this amount each
time.
- As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall.
- Repeat this five times.
Give 30 chest compressions:
- Place the baby on a firm surface.
- Locate a position in centre of the chest.
- Using two fingers, press down sharply to a third of the
depth of the chest.
- Press 30 times, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
- After 30 compressions, give two Rescue Breath.
- Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to two rescue
breaths) without stopping until help arrives.
Notes:
- If you are alone, carry out rescue breaths and chest
compressions for one minute before taking the infant with you
to call an ambulance.
- If you are familiar with adult CPR and have no knowledge of
infant CPR, use the adult sequence using two fingers for
compression.
- It is possible to identify the correct hand position without
removing the infant's clothes.
Related topics
Please note:
These hints are no substitute for thorough knowledge of first
aid! St John Ambulance holds first aid
courses throughout the country.