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CPR - child 1 to 8 years old - series

Chest compressions

Chest compressions

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."

Update Date: 9/2/2011

Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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