Infant & Child BLS
Every AHA BLS course includes infant CPR in the skills test, and child CPR in the teaching. The sequence is the same as for adults, but several details change because children usually arrest for different reasons.
What changes
Depth about one third of the chest; one or two hands for a child, two fingers or two thumbs for an infant; 30:2 for one rescuer, 15:2 for two; breaths every 2 to 3 seconds if there is a pulse; CPR for a slow pulse with poor perfusion.
Children rarely arrest from a primary heart problem. More often, a breathing problem or shock leads to arrest, so effective breaths matter more in child and infant CPR than in adult CPR.
No pulse and no normal breathing, as for adults. In addition, a heart rate below 60 a minute with signs of poor perfusion, despite oxygenation and ventilation, is treated with CPR. See the BLS pulse check.
30:2 with one rescuer; 15:2 with two rescuers. Rate 100 to 120 a minute, as for all ages — see compression rate and depth.
If there is a pulse but breathing is inadequate, give about one breath every 2 to 3 seconds. Use the right-sized mask — see bag-mask ventilation.
For an unwitnessed collapse, give about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to call for help and get an AED. For a witnessed sudden collapse, call and get the AED first.
Use paediatric pads or a dose attenuator if available; if not, use adult pads without letting them touch. See using an AED in BLS. Choking is covered in choking relief. For advanced paediatric care, see BLS vs PALS.
This guide summarises what is taught on the course. The American Heart Association CPR and ECC Guidelines, linked below, are the authoritative source.
Other life support and first aid courses: ACLS Course · PALS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar
30:2 with one rescuer, 15:2 with two rescuers.
About 4 cm, one third of the chest depth.
Two rescuers encircle the infant's chest with both hands and compress with the thumbs.
If the heart rate is below 60 a minute with signs of poor perfusion despite ventilation.
If paediatric pads are not available, yes, making sure the pads do not touch.
Reading is not the same as doing. Safety First Medical Services is an American Heart Association training centre on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, with classroom, HeartCode and on-site BLS training and a two-year AHA BLS Provider eCard.
See BLS dates and register BLS course overview Group booking enquiry
What we teach follows the awarding body and the UAE health authorities. For the definitive position on a course or licensing question, these are the places to check.
Last reviewed by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre at Addax Office Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Call +971 55 761 9841 or email training@safetyfirstmed.ae.