CPR Variations: Adult, Child, Infant, Healthcare vs. Community, Special Scenarios

Age-Based Differences (AHA Guidelines)

Component	Adult (≥ Puberty)	Child (1 yr – Puberty)	Infant (<1 yr)
Compression Depth	≥5 cm (2 in)	≥5 cm (2 in) or ⅓ chest depth	≥4 cm (1.5 in) or ⅓ chest depth
Compression Rate	100–120/min	100–120/min	100–120/min
Hand Placement	2 hands, lower half sternum	1 or 2 hands, lower half sternum	2 fingers (just below nipple line) or 2-thumb encircling (2 rescuers)
Compression:Ventilation (1 Rescuer)	30:2	30:2	30:2
Compression:Ventilation (2 Rescuers)	30:2	15:2	15:2
Ventilation Technique	Mouth-to-mask / bag-mask	Mouth-to-mask / bag-mask	Mouth-to-mouth-and-nose

Conscious Choking (Not CPR)

• Adult/Child: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) until object expelled or unconscious.
• Infant: 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts (repeated).

Setting Differences

• Healthcare: Team-based, AED/defibrillator immediate, advanced airway, IV/IO meds, continuous ETCO₂, post-ROSC care.
• Community: Lay rescuer: Hands-Only CPR (compressions only) for untrained/unwilling; conventional CPR if trained. AED asap. Call 911 first.

Special Circumstances

• Drowning: Give 5 initial rescue breaths before compressions (hypoxia primary). Then standard cycles.
• Opioid Overdose: Naloxone + rescue breathing/CPR if apneic.
• Trauma: Control hemorrhage first; CPR if pulseless (consider bilateral thoracotomy in penetrating trauma).
• Pregnancy (>20 wks): Manual left uterine displacement during compressions; prepare for perimortem C-section at 4 min.
• Hypothermia: Prolonged CPR; "no one is dead until warm and dead."

Training Imperative

Take an AHA/Red Cross certified course with hands-on practice. Guidelines update every 5 years (2020 current).