Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in adults, children, and infants: based on the same principle of aiming to restore cardiopulmonary function by ventilating the lungs and pumping the victim’s heart until natural function resumes

Survival chances improving the sooner CPR begins and the faster advanced life support systems are implemented

When an infant or child is requiring CPR, likely suffering from hypoxia caused by respiratory difficulty or respiratory arrest

Most pediatric crises requiring CPR preventable, including motor vehicle accidents, drowning, burns, smoke inhalation, falls, poisoning, suffocation, and choking (usually from inhaling a plastic bag or small foreign bodies, such as toys or food)

Gently tap the apparently unconscious child’s shoulder and ask if he’s okay, calling his name if you know it.

If the child is conscious but has difficulty breathing, help him into a position that best eases his breathing.

Call for help to alert others and to enlist emergency assistance.

If you’re alone and the child isn’t breathing, perform CPR for five cycles (about 2 minutes), before calling for help. One cycle of CPR for the single rescuer is 30 compressions and two breaths.

Place the child in a supine position on a firm, flat surface (usually the ground). The surface should provide the resistance needed for adequate compression of the heart.

If you must turn the child from a prone position, support his head and neck and turn him as a unit to avoid twisting or turning the head or neck.