CPR involves manual chest compressions and, in some cases, rescue (“mouth-to-mouth”) breathing.
These interventions can keep blood flowing to the brain until emergency medical assistance arrives.
This article provides steps for performing CPR on an adult, child, or baby.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
It also describes how rescue breathing is done and how to use an AED.
When to Do CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used on someone with cardiac arrest.
CPR can be performed on people of any age.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
Death can occur as soon as four to six minutes later.
Continue until emergency medical help arrives or the child revives.
CPR for Infants
With infants, check for responsiveness by flicking the bottom of their foot.
Using an AED within the first three to five minutes of cardiac arrest dramatically increases the survival rate.
AEDs are frequently installed in public facilities in the event someone experiences cardiac arrest.
In such situations, there should be someone in the facility trained in CPR and AED use.
Children over 8 years can be treated with a standard AED.
Children age 1 to 8 years require special defibrillator pads.
AEDs are not used on children under 1 year of age or on someone with a pulse.
Not every CPR class is the same.
There are CPR classes for healthcare professionals as well as CPR classes for the layperson.
Before you take a CPR class, see to it the class is right for you.
American Heart Association.What is CPR?
American Heart Association.Causes of cardiac arrest.
MedlinePlus.CPR - adult and child after onset of puberty.
2018;126:29-35. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2018.02.017
American Red Cross.CPR steps.
2020;142(suppl 2):S337S357.
doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000918
MedlinePlus.CPR - infant.
American Heart Association.AED programs Q&A.
American Red Cross.CPR classes.
American Red Cross.CPR certification.
2015;132(18 Suppl 2):S414-35.
