Rescue Breathing for Infants and Small Children

Click here for Rescue Breathing (for Adults).

• Send someone to call 911 or an ambulance.
• Carefully position victim on his/her back.
• Gently tilt the victim's head back by gently pressing the forehead and lifting the jaw in order to open the airway (A). Keep the victim's mouth open.
• Maintain open airway and check breathing for 5 seconds as described in "Checking Breathing." If victim is breathing, maintain the airway and check for other injuries.
• If not breathing, pinch the victim's nose shut, place your mouth over the victim's open mouth (B) and give two, slow breaths. If there s no rise in the chest, check for choking as described in Choking.
• If not breathing, place your mouth over the child's mouth or the mouth and nose of an infant. Gently blow 2 breaths of air into the victim's lungs, watching for the chest/abdomen to rise (C). If no rise, check for choking as described in choking.
• Remove your mouth from the victim and watch the victim's lungs deflate by themselves (D).
• Check pulse for 5-10 seconds as described in "Checking Pulse." If no pulse, go to CPR of infants and small children.
• Continue the rescue breathing cycles of one slow breath every 3 seconds for about minute.
• After one minute, stop and check pulse for five seconds and breathing for 5 seconds.
• If not breathing, continue giving rescue breaths until professional help arrives or breathing resumes.