Adult vs Pediatric CPR – What’s the Difference?

🚑 Quick Reference Guide for Responders and Healthcare Providers


🧍‍♂️ ADULT CPR (Age: Puberty and older)

🧠 Check Responsiveness

  • Tap and shout: “Are you okay?”
  • Call 911 / Activate EMS immediately

💓 Check Breathing & Pulse

  • No normal breathing or only gasping?
  • No pulse in 10 seconds? ➡️ Start CPR

🫀 Begin Chest Compressions

  • Rate: 100–120/min
  • Depth: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
  • Hand Placement: Two hands center of the chest
  • Compression to Ventilation Ratio:
    • 30:2 (single rescuer and 2+ rescuers)

💨 Rescue Breaths (If trained)

  • Use barrier device or BVM
  • Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
  • Watch for chest rise

AED Use

  • Use AED ASAP
  • Follow prompts

👶👧 PEDIATRIC CPR (Age: 1 year to puberty)

🧠 Check Responsiveness

  • Tap and shout
  • If alone:
    • Give 2 minutes of CPR first, then call 911
    • Unless witnessed arrest—then call first

💓 Check Breathing & Pulse

  • No breathing / gasping AND no pulse?
  • Or pulse <60 bpm with poor perfusion ➡️ Start CPR

🫀 Begin Chest Compressions

  • Rate: 100–120/min
  • Depth: About 2 inches (1/3 chest depth)
  • Hand Placement:
    • 1 hand or 2 hands (depending on child size)
  • Compression to Ventilation Ratio:
    • 30:2 (single rescuer)
    • 15:2 (2-rescuer)

💨 Rescue Breaths

  • 2 effective breaths after each cycle
  • Avoid over-ventilating
  • Ensure chest rise

AED Use

  • Use pediatric pads if available
  • If not, adult pads are okay
  • Use ASAP after starting compressions

🟡 Infant CPR?

(For babies under 1 year)
Want a breakdown for infants too? Let me know and I’ll add a separate visual for that age group!


📌 Key Differences: Quick View

StepAdultPediatric
Call for HelpImmediatelyAfter 2 min of CPR if alone (unless witnessed)
Compression DepthAt least 2 inchesAbout 2 inches
Compression Ratio30:2 (all)30:2 (1 rescuer), 15:2 (2 rescuers)
Hand Placement2 hands, center1 or 2 hands (based on size)
AED PadsAdult padsPediatric pads if possible

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