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Steps in CPR for a Young Child

CPR can save someone's life in an emergency, but you must understand the ABC steps of airway, breathing, and circulation before administering CPR on a young child. Practice in a certified CPR/first aid course is the best way to learn CPR, but keeping the list of steps on hand can help reinforce your training. A child aged 1 year to 8 years old falls under the category of young child based on his body's development.

  1. Assess the Situation

    • Gently shake the child from the shoulders and shout, "Are you OK?" to check for responsiveness. Do not shake the child if you suspect he suffered a spinal cord injury.

      Look, listen and feel for signs of breathing.

      Tell someone to immediately call 9-1-1 if the child is not breathing. Administer CPR for at least two minutes before calling 9-1-1 if you are alone.

    Clear the Airway

    • Lift the child's chin up to tilt his head back and clear his airway.

      Look, listen and feel for signs of breathing.

      Breath for the child if he still is not breathing. Leave the child in this position if he is breathing.

    Expired Air Resuscitation

    • Pinch the child's nose and cover his mouth with your own to create an air-tight seal. Give two breaths, keeping in mind that a child's lungs are smaller than an adult's.

      Look for breathing again.

      Check for circulation--a pulse. Perform rescue breaths if there is a pulse, perform CPR if there is no pulse.

      Tilt the head back, pinch the nose and administer one breath every three seconds until help arrives or until you are unable to continue.

    Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

    • Place two fingertips on his carotid artery, which is located on either side of his adam's apple on his neck. Apply slight pressure for up to 10 seconds. No pulse means the child's heart is not beating.

      Place two fingers on the sternum--the bottom rims of the rib cage, and place the heel of your other hand on top of your two fingers at the sternum. Remove your two fingers.

      Compress the heel of your hand down 1 inch for five times and then give one breath. Press lighter if you feel or hear a crack.

      Continue compressing five times and then giving one breath for 20 cycles, counting each cycle aloud.

      Check for a pulse and any sign of consciousness.

      Administer these five compression, one breath cycles until help arrives or until you are unable to continue. Check for a pulse after 20 cycles.

      Turn the child's head to the side if he vomits. Sweep all vomit and obstructions out of his mouth with two fingers before continuing CPR.

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