CPR Steps for Children

1. Use the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum in the middle of the chest.
2. Put your other hand on top of the first hand.
3. Straighten your arms and press straight down. Compressions should be about two inches (5 cm) into the child’s chest and at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
4. Be sure that between each compression you completely stop pressing on the chest and allow the chest wall to return to its natural position. Leaning or resting on the chest between compressions can keep the heart from refilling in between each compression and make CPR less effective.
5. After 30 compressions or 15 compressions for two rescuers, stop compressions and open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin.
   1. Put your hand on the child’s forehead and tilt the head back. Lift the child’s jaw by placing your index and middle fingers on the lower jaw; lift up.
   2. If their lips are closed, open the lower lip using your thumb.

6. Give a breath while watching the chest rise. Repeat while giving a second breath. Breaths should be delivered over one second.
7. Resume chest compressions. Switch quickly between compressions and rescue breaths to minimize interruptions in chest compressions.