Pediatric BLS
Child or infant arrest
CCMS-MED-SOP-001 §5.2 · 2025 AHA
Respiratory causes dominate. Breaths matter more here than in the typical adult arrest.
Call 911 now. Do not debate this.
Give location, problem, and send a runner to meet EMS at the watched entry.
- 1
Witnessed collapse: 911/AED first, then CPR. Unwitnessed: 2 minutes of CPR, then 911/AED if you are alone.
- 2
Child: 2 inches depth. Infant: 1.5 inches, two-thumb encircling if two rescuers.
- 3
Single rescuer 30:2. Two rescuers 15:2. Allow recoil. 100–120/min.
- 4
Pediatric pads if available. If not, adult pads — do not let them touch each other.
- 5
Locate the parent. Named task. Do not let the crowd swallow the scene.
This field guide does not replace 911, a medical director, or licensed clinical judgment. It does not authorize anyone to practice beyond license and current training.
Start over