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URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100215.htm

CPR - child 1 to 8 years old - series—Chest compressions

Chest compressions

Overview

4. Perform chest compressions:

  • Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone -- just below the nipples. Make sure your heel is not at the very end of the breastbone.
  • Keep your other hand on the child's forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
  • Press down on the child's chest so that it compresses about 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest.
  • Give 30 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be FAST and hard with no pausing. Count the 30 compressions quickly: "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off."

Review Date 1/2/2023

Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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