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If someone needs immediate help with infant cardiac arrest, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An infant under 1 year who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Push gently but fast on the baby's chest with two fingers.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The baby does not respond when you tap the soles of their feet and call their name.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Their chest is not rising and falling, or breathing is weak, irregular, or gasping.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Skin may look pale, blue, or mottled — especially around lips.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — They may be limp and not moving at all.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An infant's heart may stop because of breathing problems — choking, suffocation, drowning, or sudden infant death — rather than a heart attack.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Babies have very little reserve. Brain damage can begin within minutes without compressions.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Place the baby on a firm, flat surface — a table or the floor, not a soft bed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tap the soles of both feet and shout to check for response.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If no response — shout for someone to call 112 while you start compressions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use two fingers (index and middle) placed just below an imaginary line between the nipples.
When and how to get professional help.
Any unresponsive infant not breathing normally needs emergency care immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use two-finger technique only. Do not use adult CPR force on a baby.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "A baby is not breathing. I am doing infant CPR. Send an ambulance now."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them the baby's age in months and what happened if you know.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Put the phone on speaker so the operator can guide you while you continue compressions.
Useful questions before or while you help.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use the heel of your hand — use two fingers only on an infant.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT push too hard — one-third chest depth is enough. Excessive force can cause injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT shake a baby to try to wake them — this can cause serious brain injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Babies are too fragile for CPR
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Infant CPR uses gentle two-finger compressions at one-third chest depth. Without CPR, the baby will not survive.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child cardiac arrest
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Their heart may have stopped.
Adult cardiac arrest
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Their heart may have stopped pumping blood.
Chest pain / heart attack
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person with sudden, severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort that may spread to the arm, jaw, or back — possible heart attack.
Shock signs
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who is pale, cold, sweaty, confused, and weak after injury, bleeding, allergy, infection, or illness — possible shock.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Push straight down about 4 cm (1.5 inches) — roughly one-third the chest depth — at 100 to 120 pushes per minute.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Let the chest fully recoil between pushes. Keep your fingers on the chest — do not lift off completely.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If you are alone, do 2 minutes of compressions before pausing to call 112 if no one else can call.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Infant cardiac arrest is always an emergency. Continue CPR until paramedics take over.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Even brief periods without oxygen can harm a baby's brain — hospital evaluation is essential.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People hesitate and lose critical minutes.