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CPR for Adults vs. Children: Key Differences

Learn the key differences between performing CPR on adults vs. children. From compression depth to rescue breaths, discover the lifesaving steps tailored to each age group.

LearnTastic
08/22/2025

Imagine your child suddenly collapses and stops breathing. You know CPR, but is it the same as what you’d do for an adult? Not quite. While the basic goal of CPR is always to restore blood flow, the how changes based on age. Adults usually suffer cardiac arrest from heart-related issues. But in children, it’s often due to breathing problems. That means your response has to be different, starting with the number of breaths, the compression depth, and even how you use your hands.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 7,000 children experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year in the U.S., and many don’t survive because help arrives too late or CPR is done incorrectly. This blog outlines the key differences between CPR for children and adults, so you are not just prepared, but confident, because one approach does not fit all when it comes to saving a life.

How Size and Physiology of the Patient Affect CPR?

An adult’s body is created very differently from that of a child. So it makes sense that CPR steps vary, too. The heart, rib cage, lung capacity, and airway in children require a gentler, more adjusted approach. Here are the key considerations:

Compression Depth and Hand Placement

For adults, use both hands and push hard, about 2 inches deep, at the center of the chest. In children, however, compressions should be about 1.5 inches to 2 inches deep using one hand (or even two fingers for infants), depending on the size of the child. Too much force can do more harm than good.

Rescue Breaths

Adults can handle full breaths during rescue attempts. Children cannot. Give just enough air to make the chest rise. Over-inflation can push air into the stomach and increase the risk of vomiting, which complicates resuscitation.

Chest Recoil

Between compressions, let the chest fully rise. This applies to all ages, but it’s especially important in children to allow the heart to refill with blood. Improper recoil reduces CPR effectiveness and may delay recovery.

What Are the Key Differences Between Child Vs Adult CPR?

What works for a full-grown adult could harm a small child if done the same way. The body size, cause of collapse, and even how the heart responds differ with age. That’s why CPR guidelines adjust based on whether the person is a child or an adult. To help you respond confidently in any emergency, here’s a side-by-side look at the key differences of child CPR vs adult CPR:

Aspect	CPR for Adults	CPR for Children (1 year to puberty)
Hand Placement	Two hands in the center of the chest (on the lower half of the breastbone).	One or two hands (based on rescuer's size) in the center of the chest.
Compression Depth	At least 2 inches (5 cm), but not more than 2.4 inches.	About 2 inches (5 cm), not as deep as adult compressions.
Compression Rate	100–120 compressions per minute.	100–120 compressions per minute.
Rescue Breaths Ratio	30 compressions to 2 breaths (single rescuer).	30:2 for one rescuer, 15:2 for two rescuers.
Air Volume During Breaths	Full breath—enough to make the chest rise.	Gentle breath—just enough to see chest rise, less force than for adults.
AED Use	Use adult AED pads.	Use pediatric AED pads if available; adult pads can be used if pediatric aren't.
Pulse Check Location	Check carotid pulse (neck).	Check carotid or femoral pulse (neck or groin).
Head Tilt for Breathing	Tilt head fully back to open airway.	Tilt head slightly back—too much tilt can block airway in small children.
Common Causes of Arrest	Usually cardiac-related (e.g., heart attack).	Often respiratory (e.g., choking, asthma, drowning).
When to Call Emergency Services	Call 911 immediately, then start CPR.	Start CPR first for about 2 minutes, then call 911 (if alone).

What Triggers Cardiac Arrest in Adults vs. Children

Before you start CPR, it’s important to understand why the person collapsed, because the root cause often guides your response. Adults and children don’t usually go into cardiac arrest for the same reasons, and that’s a key difference.

Different Causes, Different Priorities

In adults, cardiac arrest is most often caused by a heart-related problem, such as a sudden heart attack or an abnormal rhythm like ventricular fibrillation. The heart stops pumping blood effectively, and chest compressions become the top priority.

In children, the heart usually stops for a different reason. Breathing problems come first—things like choking, severe asthma, allergic reactions, or drowning. These lead to a lack of oxygen, which then causes the heart to stop. That’s why rescue breaths are especially important in pediatric CPR—you need to get air into their lungs right away.

Spotting the Warning Signs

An adult may suddenly collapse, lose consciousness, and stop breathing, often without any warning. In contrast, a child might show early signs of trouble, such as labored breathing, wheezing, bluish lips or skin, or unusual drowsiness, before losing consciousness.

Recognizing early signs in children, like trouble breathing or bluish lips, can give you a chance to act before their heart stops. In adults, cardiac arrest usually happens suddenly, so you may not get a warning. That’s why you should start chest compressions right away if an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

Do Training Protocols Adapt to Age Differences?

Yes, they do, and for good reason. The way you perform CPR on a child is not the same as for an adult, so proper training must reflect that. A good CPR course teaches age-specific techniques, from hand placement to rescue breath timing. This matters because in real life, you’re most likely to use CPR on someone you know, a spouse, a parent, or even your child. That’s why it’s essential to learn the right skills for all age groups, not just one.

AED Use Isn’t Always the Same

AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are lifesaving tools, but using them on children requires pediatric pads or a child-mode setting. Adult pads can be used if there’s no alternative, but they must not touch each other on a small chest.

Training Focus Is Adjusted

Adult CPR training emphasizes rhythm and strength in compressions. Child-focused CPR training teaches how to be gentle but effective, stressing the importance of correct breath-to-compression ratios.

Also Read: How Long Does CPR Certification Last? Duration & Renewal Options

Don’t Let Lack of Knowledge Be the Barrier!

The key differences between adult and child CPR can be life-saving. For adults, the focus is on hard, fast chest compressions, often without rescue breaths if you are untrained. But for children and infants, airway support and rescue breaths are crucial because their cardiac arrest often starts from breathing issues. Even the depth and method of compressions vary, you use one or two hands for children, and two fingers for infants.

Thousands of people take CPR courses each year, but not all of them are taught how to adapt their skills to different age groups. The difference in outcomes between trained and untrained bystanders is staggering. If you have never taken a life-saving skill course or if it’s been more than two years since your last certification, now is the right time. So, enroll in a BLS Certification Online course today!

LearnTastic

Author

LearnTastic

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LearnTastic is a trusted leader in professional certification, offering expertly-designed online courses in OSHA training, physical therapy continuing education, caregiver certification, and more. Our flexible programs help professionals meet regulatory requirements, enhance skills and advance their careers. With a focus on practical, up-to-date learning, we empower professionals to thrive in their industries.

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CPR for Adults vs. Children: Key Differences

Table of Contents

How Size and Physiology of the Patient Affect CPR?

Compression Depth and Hand Placement

Rescue Breaths

Chest Recoil

What Are the Key Differences Between Child Vs Adult CPR?

What Triggers Cardiac Arrest in Adults vs. Children

Different Causes, Different Priorities

Spotting the Warning Signs

Do Training Protocols Adapt to Age Differences?

AED Use Isn’t Always the Same

Training Focus Is Adjusted

Don’t Let Lack of Knowledge Be the Barrier!

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