--- title: "How to perform CPR - Children | Australia Wide First Aid" description: "Find out how to perform CPR on a child (1-8 years old) by following this guide. You can also go to specific guides on CPR for adults and older children (over 8 years), on infants, and during pregnancy. If you’re in an emergency, call 000.\r\n" canonical: "https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/cpr-guide-children" --- # How to perform CPR - Children [Resources](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources) › [CPR Resources](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources?genre=cpr-resources) CPR Resources If you’re in an emergency, **call (000)**. Find out how to perform CPR on a child (1-8 years old) by following the guide below. You can also go to specific guides on [CPR for adults & older children (over 8 years)](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/cpr-guide-adults), [infants](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/cpr-guide-infants) and during [pregnancy](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/cpr-guide-pregnancy). Please note, the information below is not a substitute for [first aid training](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/courses). ## How to determine if CPR is necessary The [DRSABCD](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/what-is-drsabcd) action plan is a structured way of assisting a casualty. It includes vital steps such as assessing for danger, checking for a response, sending for help, clearing and opening the airway, and checking for breathing. The Basic Life Support chart below shows all the critical steps leading up to performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). [](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/media-library/basic-life-support-for-children-chart.png) [](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources-pages/assets/bls-child-cmyk.pdf) Child BLS chart (printable A2 & smaller) ## Step-by-step guide After having followed the DRSABCD plan, follow the steps below. **CPR is performed at a ratio of 30:2 (30 chest compressions + 2 rescue breaths).** ### Chest compressions **1.** Place the child on a firm surface on their back. Kneel beside them. **2.** Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum. Use your other hand to gently hold their head in place. **3.**Straighten your arm and position yourself over the child’s chest. **4.**Use the weight of your body to press straight down onto their chest by ⅓ the depth of their chest which is generally about 5 cm. **5.** Release the pressure. Allow for a full chest recoil by lifting your hands slightly off the chest between each compression. The time spent on chest compressions and release phases should be equal. **Pressing down and releasing comprises one compression**. **6.**Perform 30 chest compressions moderately hard and fast, at a rate of about 100-120 per minute. It is helpful to count aloud. ### Rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth) After the 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths. **1.** Open the child's airway.Ensure the head is tilted back and the chin is lifted by placing one hand on their forehead and the other hand under their chin to tilt the head back. **2.** Use your index finger and thumb to pinch closed the soft part of the child’s nose. Use your other hand to open the child’s mouth. **3.** Take a breath and with your mouth form a tight seal over the child’s mouth. Blow at a steady rate into the child’s mouth for about 1 second, and look for the chest to rise. Now look for the chest to fall. Repeat and give a second rescue breath. If the chest does not rise, make sure: - The child is positioned properly. - The airway is not obstructed by a foreign body - if it is - remove it. - The nose is pinched closed to prevent any air from escaping and you maintain a tight seal with the child's mouth. One cycle of CPR consists of 30 compressions + 2 rescue breaths. **Keep repeating this process and aim to do 5 cycles of CPR in roughly 2 minutes.** Giving life-saving CPR is tiring. If you have another person to help you, swap with minimal interruption, so they give compressions and rescue breaths every 5 cycles. ### Using an AED Where an AED is available, turn it on and attach pads or have a bystander attach them so you can continue doing compressions. Follow the AED’s instructions. An AED will analyse heart rhythm every 2 minutes. It may or may not give a shock. Continue to give CPR in between each analysis cycle. Find out [more about using an AED](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/aed-first-aid). **Continue performing CPR until**: - the child responds or resumes breathing normally - it is impossible to continue e.g. due to exhaustion - a health care professional takes over or directs that CPR be ceased (don't stop until they tell you) - it is too dangerous to continue If the child resumes normal breathing then place them in the **Recovery Position** and monitor breathing until help arrives. [](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/media-library/cpr-for-children-chart.png) ## Other CPR Resources [](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources-pages/assets/cpr-child-cmyk.pdf) Child CPR chart (printable A2 & smaller) - [How to perform CPR - Adults & Older Children](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/cpr-guide-adults) - [How tp perform CPR - Infants](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/cpr-guide-infants) - [How to perform CPR - Pregnancy](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/cpr-guide-pregnancy) Visit the Australia Wide First Aid [CPR Library](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/cpr) for even more information, guides and downloadable resources. *Disclaimer*: *This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute, replace, or qualify as any form of first aid training.* Our [Pocket Mask Training](https://australiawidefirstaid.edu.au/online-courses/pocket-mask-training/?_gl=1*7hvrvu*_gcl_au*MTk0MjAzMDkwNi4xNzQ3ODcwNDY2*_ga*Mzc1NzMyMzc2LjE2ODQ4ODE0NDI.*_ga_7BZ2ZKF9KN*czE3NTA2MjQyNTQkbzEzOCRnMSR0MTc1MDYyNDI5OSRqMTUkbDAkaDExODE4MTUyMTY.) online course gives you the knowledge you need to be able to effectively us a pocket mask or face shield during CPR. Being fully online means you can work through it at your own place, either at your desk at work or in the comfort of your own home. Read the texts, watch the videos, and answer the quiz questions - it's as easy as that! You'll also receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course - perfect to hand to your employer or put on your resume. ## Similar articles - [Correct Posture When Performing CPR](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/correct-posture-when-performing-cpr): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical lifesaving skill that can significantly improve the chances of survival for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest. While many people are trained in CPR techniques, the importance of proper posture during CPR cannot be overstated. - [CPR for Persons in Wheelchairs](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/cpr-for-persons-in-wheelchairs): Despite its apparent simplicity, bystanders often delay providing CPR to people with special conditions such as those in wheelchairs. This delayed response may be due to a lack of knowledge on what to do in such situations or the perceived complexity of the procedure due to the casualty's condition. However, the CPR principle remains the same for all casualties, whether they are in wheelchairs or not. - [CPR Instructions, But Make Them Spooky](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/cpr-instructions-but-make-them-spooky): In this spine-tingling journey of resuscitation, maintain your grim composure, for you tread the precipice between the realms of life and death. Whether you are a mere mortal or a master of the macabre arts, remember that your actions can either prolong existence or plunge it further into the abyss. Proceed with a sense of dread, for you stand at the precipice of despair. ## Learn this hands-on Reading is a start — a nationally accredited course makes it stick. [Find a course and check live session availability](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/#find-course). --- **Australia Wide First Aid** · RTO 31961 - Phone: (07) 3437 7500 - Email: info@australiawidefirstaid.com.au - Hours: Mon – Fri 7am – 7pm (AEST)