One-Rescuer BLS/CPR for Infant (newborn to age 12 months)

Be safe

• Move the infant out of traffic or any unsafe situation.
• Move the infant out of water and dry the infant. (Drowning infants should be removed from the water and dried off; they should also be removed from standing water, such as puddles, pools, gutters, etc.)
• Be sure you do not become injured yourself.

Assess the Infant

• Tap the bottom of the infant’s foot and talk to them loudly, saying their name.
• Check to see if the infant is breathing while simultaneously checking their brachial pulse. (Agonal breathing, which is occasional gasping and is ineffective, does not count a breathing.)
• Keep in mind not to waste time trying to feel for a pulse; feel for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. If you are not sure you feel a pulse, begin CPR with a cycle of 30 chest compressions and two breaths.

Call EMS

• Send someone for help and to get an AED.
• If alone, shout for help while assessing for breathing and pulse. (The ILCOR emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now and most have a built-in speakerphone. Call for help without leaving the infant.)
• If no one answers and you do not have a cell phone available, perform 2 minutes of CPR before taking a moment to find help.

CPR

• Begin CPR with chest compressions and delivering breaths in a ratio of 30:2.

Defibrillate

• Attach the AED when it becomes available. Use pediatric pads for infants and place the pads in an anterior-posterior position if they would overlap on the front of the chest.
• Listen to the AED and perform the steps as directed.