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Step 1
Attempt to awaken the child. Gently shake her or tap her cheeks. Call the child's name if you know it. Do not shake a child if you suspect a back or neck injury.
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Step 2
Lift the child's chin to move the tongue out of the way. This is a subtle movement; you are simply lifting the chin to an upright position.
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Step 3
Watch for respiration. Lean close and see if the child is breathing; watch for the chest to rise and fall. Count for 5 seconds before moving onto the next step.
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Step 4
Pinch the child's nose closed and cover his mouth with your own, if he isn't breathing. If the child is small, and you can comfortably cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth, do it.
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Step 5
Give two breaths, making sure to turn your head to the side between breaths to get a clean gulp of oxygen. Since a child's lungs are smaller than yours, give a shallow breath.
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Step 6
Begin chest compressions. Press the heel of one hand into the child's chest at about nipple level. Press approximately a third of the way into the depth of the chest. Perform slightly less than two compressions a second (about a 100 per min). Make sure the chest fully rises between compressions.
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Step 7
Continue giving 2 breaths for every 30 compressions, for 5 cycles or until help arrives. If help hasn't arrived after 5 cycles, call 911. Take the child with you or have someone else make the call if you don't have a cell phone. If the child is too heavy for you to carry or you feel he shouldn't be moved and you must leave to find a phone, call 911 and come right back. Continue doing CPR until the paramedics arrive.
