CPR & Choking First Aid Guide

Check responsiveness

Tap the bottom of the baby's foot and shout. If no response, have someone call 911 immediately. If alone, perform CPR for 2 minutes first, then call 911.

Place baby on a firm, flat surface

Lay the baby face-up on a firm, flat surface. Remove any clothing from the chest area.

Open the airway

Tilt the head back slightly by lifting the chin with one hand and pushing down on the forehead with the other. Do not tilt too far back.

For infants, a neutral or slightly extended head position is best. Over-tilting can block the airway.

Give 2 rescue breaths

Cover the baby's mouth AND nose with your mouth. Give 2 small, gentle puffs of air (1 second each). Watch for the chest to rise.

Use only enough air to make the chest rise. Baby lungs are very small.

Begin chest compressions

Place 2 fingers on the breastbone, just below the nipple line. Push down about 1.5 inches (4 cm) at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

Push hard and fast. Let the chest fully recoil between compressions.

Continue CPR cycle

Alternate 30 compressions with 2 rescue breaths. Continue until the baby starts breathing, an AED arrives, or emergency services take over.

Check responsiveness

Tap the child's shoulder and shout their name. If no response, have someone call 911. If alone, do CPR for 2 minutes first.

Place child on a firm, flat surface

Lay the child face-up on a firm, flat surface.

Open the airway

Tilt the head back by lifting the chin with one hand and pushing down on the forehead with the other (head-tilt/chin-lift).

Give 2 rescue breaths

Pinch the nose closed. Cover the child's mouth with yours and give 2 breaths (1 second each). Watch for chest rise.

Begin chest compressions

Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (on the breastbone). Push down about 2 inches (5 cm) at 100-120 compressions per minute.

Continue CPR cycle

Alternate 30 compressions with 2 rescue breaths. Continue until the child responds, an AED arrives, or EMS takes over.

Assess the situation

If the baby is coughing forcefully, let them cough. Only intervene if the baby cannot cry, cough, or breathe, or is making high-pitched sounds.

Do NOT do blind finger sweeps — you may push the object deeper.

Give 5 back blows

Hold the baby face-down on your forearm, supporting the head and jaw with your hand. Rest your forearm on your thigh. Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

Give 5 chest thrusts

Turn the baby face-up on your forearm. Place 2 fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line. Give 5 quick downward chest thrusts (about 1.5 inches deep).

Repeat until object is dislodged

Continue alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object comes out, the baby can breathe/cry, or the baby becomes unresponsive.

If the baby becomes unresponsive, begin infant CPR immediately and call 911.

Assess the situation

If the child can cough forcefully or speak, encourage them to keep coughing. Intervene only if they cannot cough, speak, or breathe.

Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

Stand or kneel behind the child. Wrap your arms around their waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the navel, below the rib cage. Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick, upward thrusts.

For children over 1 year old. Do NOT use abdominal thrusts on infants under 1.

Repeat until object is dislodged

Continue abdominal thrusts until the object comes out or the child becomes unresponsive.

If the child becomes unresponsive, lower them to the ground and begin CPR. Call 911.