Grace is currently a toddler. As she grows, the "active" stage on this page will move. The recommendations below are split so each stage is self-contained — tap a tab to jump.

Infant — 0 to 12 months

Two-thumb encircling grip, 1½ inches deep, 30:2 alone or 15:2 with help.

1. Confirm and call

  • Tap the bottom of the foot. Shout the baby's name.
  • Yell for help. Call 911 on speaker (or have someone call) — say "infant, unresponsive, not breathing."
  • Get an AED if one is nearby (most home AEDs are fine; use pediatric pads if available).

2. Check pulse & breathing (≤ 10 sec)

  • Pulse location: inside of the upper arm (brachial).
  • Open the airway with a neutral head position (don't tilt an infant's head back like an adult — their neck is short and flexible).
  • Look for chest rise. Gasping is not normal breathing.
  • If no pulse and not breathing (or only gasping) → start CPR.

3. Compressions

  • Technique: two thumbs side-by-side on the center of the chest just below the nipple line, fingers encircling the chest toward the back. Single-rescuer fallback: two fingers in the middle of the chest.
  • Depth: about 1½ in (3.8 cm) — roughly one-third the chest's front-to-back depth.
  • Rate: 100–120 per minute. (Sing "Stayin' Alive" mentally.)
  • Allow full recoil between compressions — don't lean on the chest.

4. Breaths

  • Ratio: 30 compressions : 2 breaths (alone). 15:2 if a second rescuer is on the way.
  • Each breath ~1 second. Chest should just begin to rise.
  • If no pocket mask: cover baby's mouth and nose with your mouth.
  • Drowning suspected? Give 2 initial breaths before starting compressions.

5. AED

  • Use as soon as it arrives. Pediatric pads if available, otherwise adult pads are fine.
  • Pad placement: anterior/posterior — one on the center of the chest, one on the center of the back. If pads will touch, place front-right and side-left.
  • Resume CPR immediately after the shock (or after "no shock advised").

6. Choking — infant (2025 update)

  • 5 back blows (heel of hand between shoulder blades, baby face-down on your forearm, head slightly down) alternating with 5 chest thrusts (two fingers on sternum, just below nipple line).
  • Do NOT use abdominal thrusts / Heimlich on infants — risk of liver injury.
  • Repeat cycles until object clears or baby becomes unresponsive → start CPR.

7. When to stop CPR

You see signs of life (movement, normal breathing, pulse) · Another trained rescuer takes over · EMS arrives and takes over · You have a valid DNR · You are physically unable to continue · The scene becomes unsafe.

Toddler — 1 to 3 years

One heel of the hand (or two small hands), 2 inches deep, 30:2 alone or 15:2 with help.

1. Confirm and call

  • Tap shoulder. Shout their name. Don't rely on them to answer — they may be confused.
  • Call 911 on speaker. Tell the dispatcher: "toddler, unresponsive, not breathing."
  • Send someone for an AED.

2. Check pulse & breathing (≤ 10 sec)

  • Pulse location: side of the neck (carotid) — same as adults.
  • Open airway with a slightly past-neutral head-tilt/chin-lift (not as far back as an adult).
  • Look, listen, feel for breathing. Gasping ≠ breathing.

3. Compressions

  • Technique: heel of one hand in the center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum. For a smaller toddler you can use two fingers; for a larger one, two hands like an adult.
  • Depth: about 2 in (5 cm) — roughly one-third the chest's front-to-back depth.
  • Rate: 100–120 per minute.
  • Shoulders directly over hands, elbows locked. Let the chest fully recoil.

4. Breaths

  • Ratio: 30:2 alone · 15:2 with a second rescuer.
  • Each breath ~1 second, chest just rises.
  • Use a child-sized pocket mask if available, otherwise adult mask turned sideways.
  • Drowning or other respiratory cause? Give 2 initial breaths first.

5. AED

  • Use as soon as it arrives. Pediatric pads preferred for under 8 years old, adult pads OK if that's all you have.
  • Pad placement: one on upper-right chest, one on lower-left side (standard). Anterior/posterior also works for small children.
  • Resume CPR immediately after shock or "no shock advised."

6. Choking — toddler

  • If they can cough forcefully or cry, let them — the cough is more effective than anything you can do.
  • If they cannot cough, cry, or breathe:
    • 5 back blows (between shoulder blades) alternating with 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich — fist just above navel, inward and up).
    • Abdominal thrusts are now considered safe in children over 1 year (2025 update).
    • Repeat until object clears or child becomes unresponsive → start CPR.

7. When to stop CPR

Same as infant: signs of life · trained rescuer takes over · EMS arrives · valid DNR · you can't continue · scene unsafe.

Child — 4 to 12 years

One or two hands, 2 inches deep, 30:2 alone or 15:2 with help. Compressions + breaths strongly preferred over hands-only.

1. Confirm and call

  • Tap shoulder, shout. If they're awake but limp, treat as unresponsive.
  • Call 911 on speaker. If alone, do 2 minutes of CPR first, then call if you must leave.
  • Send someone for an AED.

2. Check pulse & breathing (≤ 10 sec)

  • Pulse location: carotid (side of neck).
  • Open airway with head-tilt/chin-lift to a slightly past-neutral position.
  • Look, listen, feel. Gasping ≠ breathing.

3. Compressions

  • Technique: heel of one hand in the center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum. Use two hands (interlaced) for larger children.
  • Depth: about 2 in (5 cm), no more than 2.4 in (6 cm).
  • Rate: 100–120 per minute.
  • Shoulders over hands, elbows locked, full recoil.

4. Breaths

  • Ratio: 30:2 alone · 15:2 with a second rescuer.
  • Each breath ~1 second, chest just rises.
  • Breaths + compressions is the standard for children. Hands-only CPR is not recommended for kids — most pediatric cardiac arrests are respiratory in origin (drowning, choking, asthma).
  • Drowning or other hypoxic cause? 2 initial breaths first.

5. AED

  • Use as soon as available. Pediatric pads / pediatric setting preferred for under 8; adult pads OK if needed.
  • Pad placement: upper-right chest + lower-left side (standard adult placement works fine).
  • Resume CPR immediately after shock.

6. Choking — child

  • Coughing or talking? Encourage them to keep coughing.
  • Cannot cough / speak / breathe? 5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts. Repeat.
  • Becomes unresponsive → lower to the floor, start CPR. After 30 compressions, look in the mouth before giving breaths — remove any visible object (no blind finger sweeps).

7. When to stop CPR

Signs of life · trained help takes over · EMS arrives · valid DNR · you can't continue · scene unsafe.

Teen — 13 years through puberty

AHA treats anyone past puberty as an adult for CPR purposes. Use adult technique.

1. Confirm and call

  • Tap, shout. Get a response?
  • Call 911 on speaker immediately. If alone, put phone on speaker, keep hands free.
  • Send someone for an AED.

2. Check pulse & breathing (≤ 10 sec)

  • Pulse location: carotid (side of neck).
  • Open airway with full head-tilt/chin-lift to past-neutral.

3. Compressions

  • Technique: two hands, interlaced, heel in the center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum.
  • Depth: at least 2 in (5 cm), no more than 2.4 in (6 cm).
  • Rate: 100–120 per minute.
  • Shoulders over hands, elbows locked, full recoil.

4. Breaths

  • Ratio: 30:2 (continuous compressions to 30, then 2 breaths). If two rescuers and an advanced airway is in place: continuous compressions, 1 breath every 6 seconds.
  • For a teen drowning, drug overdose, or asthma arrest: breaths are critical — give 2 initial breaths before compressions.

5. AED

  • Use immediately when available. Adult pads, adult settings.
  • Standard placement: upper-right chest + lower-left side.
  • Resume CPR right after shock.

6. Choking — teen

  • Coughing or speaking? Encourage coughing.
  • Cannot cough / speak / breathe? 5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich). Repeat until clear or unresponsive.
  • Unresponsive → start CPR, look in mouth before breaths, remove visible object only.

7. When to stop CPR

Signs of life · trained help takes over · EMS arrives · valid DNR · you can't continue · scene unsafe.

Adult — for you, Mimi, grandparents, or a stranger

Hands-only CPR is encouraged when you're not trained or unsure. Push hard, push fast, don't stop.

0. Hands-only CPR (the default for adults)

If you witness an adult collapse and you're not trained, just push on the chest. Don't worry about breaths. Compressions alone are far better than no CPR while you wait for EMS.

  • Two hands, center of chest, lower half of sternum.
  • At least 2 in (5 cm) deep, no more than 2.4 in (6 cm).
  • 100–120 per minute. (Beat of "Stayin' Alive" — yes, really.)
  • Don't stop until EMS arrives or an AED tells you to.

1. Confirm and call

  • Tap, shout. No response?
  • Call 911 on speaker immediately. If alone, call first, then start CPR.
  • Send someone for an AED or ask a bystander to grab the nearest one (malls, gyms, airports usually have them).

2. Check pulse & breathing (≤ 10 sec)

  • Pulse location: carotid (side of neck).
  • Open airway to a past-neutral head-tilt/chin-lift.
  • Gasping or no breathing → start CPR.

3. Compressions (30:2 with breaths if trained)

  • Technique: two hands interlaced, heel in the center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum.
  • Depth: at least 2 in (5 cm), no more than 2.4 in (6 cm).
  • Rate: 100–120 per minute.
  • Shoulders over hands, elbows locked. Don't lean — let the chest fully recoil.
  • Switch compressors every 2 minutes (the compressor calls "switch" instead of counting 1 on the next cycle).

4. Breaths (if you have a mask / barrier)

  • 30:2 ratio. Each breath ~1 second, chest just rises.
  • If an advanced airway is in place: continuous compressions, 1 breath every 6 seconds.
  • Drowning or drug overdose: 2 initial breaths before starting compressions.

5. AED

  • Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts. It'll talk you through it.
  • Pad placement: upper-right chest (below collarbone) + lower-left side (under armpit).
  • Make sure no one is touching the patient during analysis or shock.
  • Resume CPR right after the shock (or "no shock advised").

6. Choking — adult

  • Can they cough, speak, or breathe? Encourage coughing.
  • Cannot? 5 back blows between shoulder blades, then 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich — fist just above navel, inward and up).
  • Repeat. Pregnant or very obese? Use chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
  • Becomes unresponsive → lower to the floor, start CPR. Look in the mouth before breaths; remove visible object only.

7. Recovery position (unresponsive but breathing)

  • If the person is breathing normally and you don't suspect spinal injury, roll them onto their side with the top knee bent and the head tilted slightly back.
  • Keeps the airway clear, lets fluids drain. Stay with them until EMS arrives.

8. When to stop CPR

Signs of life (movement, normal breathing, pulse) · EMS takes over · trained help takes over · valid DNR · you are physically unable to continue · the scene becomes unsafe.

Side-by-side — what changes as Grace grows

Bookmark this table. The key numbers (depth, technique, ratio) are the ones you'll forget in a panic.

Infant
0–12 mo		 Toddler
1–3 yr		 Child
4–12 yr		 Teen / Adult
13+
Pulse check Brachial (inside upper arm) Carotid (neck) Carotid (neck) Carotid (neck)
Airway position Neutral Slightly past-neutral Slightly past-neutral Past-neutral (full tilt)
Hand position Two thumbs encircling, just below nipple line Heel of one hand, lower half of sternum One or two hands, lower half of sternum Two hands interlaced, lower half of sternum
Depth ~1.5 in (3.8 cm) ~2 in (5 cm) ~2 in (5 cm) ≥ 2 in (5 cm), ≤ 2.4 in (6 cm)
Rate 100–120/min 100–120/min 100–120/min 100–120/min
Ratio (alone) 30:2 30:2 30:2 30:2
Ratio (2 rescuers) 15:2 15:2 15:2 30:2 (15:2 for trained teams)
Breaths? Yes — 2 initial breaths if drowning Yes — 2 initial breaths if drowning Yes — breaths strongly preferred over hands-only Hands-only is fine if you can't do breaths
AED pads Pediatric preferred; adult OK. Anterior/posterior placement. Pediatric preferred; adult OK. Pediatric preferred under 8; adult OK. Adult pads, adult settings.
Choking maneuver 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts
(no abdominal thrusts)		 5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts 5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts 5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts

Emergency numbers by region

In the US, 911 routes to police / fire / EMS and gives location from the cell tower. The dispatcher can coach you through CPR on speaker while you're working.

United States

911

United Kingdom

999 or 112

European Union

112

Canada

911

Australia

000 (112 also works on mobiles)

Mexico

911 or 066

Pictures, videos, and the official sources

These are the primary sources I used to build this page. Take a class, watch their videos, and update your memory every 12–24 months — guidelines get refreshed.

Official skill sheets (PDF — print one per fridge)

Red Cross — CPR for Infants PDF · the canonical infant skill sheet Red Cross — CPR for Children PDF · one-handed, 2 in deep Red Cross — CPR for Adults PDF · the two-handed technique Red Cross — AED for Children & Infants PDF · pad placement diagrams

American Heart Association

2025 AHA CPR & ECC Guidelines The 2025 update — what changed since 2020 Infant CPR (AHA community page) Plain-English walkthrough with diagrams AHA newsroom — 2025 pediatric & neonatal update Oct 23, 2025 — covers the infant choking change Part 6: Pediatric BLS (2025) Full peer-reviewed chapter

American Red Cross

How to Perform CPR — adult steps With videos and the "Hands-Only CPR" two-step Find a CPR class near you In-person, blended, and online options Red Cross Guidelines — Pediatric CPR Their internal reference for instructors

Other

NHS — Recovery position For someone unconscious but breathing MedlinePlus — CPR NIH encyclopedia entry with diagrams

This page is a family reference, not a certification. It is built from the 2025 AHA and Red Cross skill sheets, but it cannot replace hands-on training. Take an in-person class — Grace is depending on it, and the muscle memory only comes from practice on a manikin. Local classes through the Red Cross, AHA, or your local hospital typically take 2–4 hours and cost $50–$110. Many cover adult, child, and infant in one session.

This site is part of the aidalee.com family reference. Last updated July 19, 2026. Built by Aida for TK and Grace. ♥