Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Infants and Children

What is CPR?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Cardio refers to the heart. Pulmonary refers to the lungs. CPR is a way to give oxygen and keep the blood flowing when the heart has stopped beating. It is an emergency procedure that can save the life of an infant or child whose heart has stopped beating and who is not breathing.

When is it used?

Use CPR whenever someone is not breathing or when the heart is not beating. A child's or infant's heart can stop beating or they can stop breathing as a result of:

• a very bad head or back injury
• choking on something
• drowning
• severe electrical shocks
• severe infections
• severe allergic reactions.

How can I learn CPR?

You need to take a class to be certified to give CPR. It is important that a special class be taken for giving CPR to children because the procedures are different. Some classes combine the training for both the adult CPR and infant and child CPR certifications.

CPR classes are open to the public and are held in hospitals, fire departments, and community centers.

For more information about cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life-saving skills, contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.