Breathing: Breathe for the child

Follow these steps for mouth-to-mouth breathing for a child.

1. After using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to open the airway, pinch the child's nostrils shut. Cover the child's mouth with yours. This makes a seal.
2. Breathe into the child's mouth for one second. Watch to see whether the chest rises. If it rises, give a second breath.
3. If the chest doesn't rise after the first breath, open the airway again. Then give a second breath. Try not to give too many breaths or to breathe with too much force.
4. After giving two breaths, start compressions right away. Do this even if the child doesn't breathe after you give the second rescue breath.
5. If there are two people available to do CPR on the child, change rescuers every two minutes, or sooner if a rescuer is tired. Give two breaths every 15 compressions.
6. As soon as an AED is available, follow the machine's directions. Use pediatric pads for infants and children under age 8. If the machine doesn't have pediatric pads, it's OK to use adult pads. Give one shock if the machine tells you to do so, then start compressions again right away. Do not give a second shock unless the AED tells you to do so. If you don't know how to use an AED, a 911 operator or other emergency medical person may be able to give you directions.

Continue until the child moves or help arrives.