Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library CPR Quick Reference

CPR Quick Reference

Overview

First, take a class on how to give CPR. Then use the chart below as a reference.

Quick reference: CPR recommendations for adults and older children, young children, and babies

What to do

Adults and older children who have reached puberty

Young children until the age of puberty

Babies younger than 1 year

When to call for help

Call 911, or ask someone to call, and get an AED, if there is one nearby.

A 911 operator can give you instructions on how to do CPR.

Call 911, or ask someone to call, and get an AED, if there is one nearby.

A 911 operator can give you instructions on how to do CPR.

If you're alone and don't have a phone nearby, start CPR. Do CPR for 2 minutes, and then find a phone to call 911.

Call 911, or ask someone to call, and get an AED, if there is one nearby.

A 911 operator can give you instructions on how to do CPR.

If you're alone and don't have a phone nearby, start CPR. Do CPR for 2 minutes, and then find a phone to call 911.

If the person is not breathing normally or is gasping, find the spot to do chest compressions.

Place two fingers on the spot where the ribs come together. Put the heel of your other hand just above your fingers on the breastbone.

(See a picture of hand placement for chest compressions.)

Place two fingers on the spot where the ribs come together. Put the heel of your other hand just above your fingers on the breastbone.

Place two fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line.

(See a picture of hand placement for chest compressions on a baby.)

How do you give chest compressions?

Use the heel of one hand with the other hand stacked on top of it. Lace your fingers together.

Use the heel of one hand. If you need more force for a larger child, use both hands as you would for an adult.

Use two fingers.

How fast should you do compressions?

Do at least 100 compressions per minute (between 1 and 2 per second).

Do at least 100 compressions per minute (between 1 and 2 per second).

Do at least 100 compressions per minute (between 1 and 2 per second).

How far down should you press the chest?

Press the chest down at least 2 inches (5 cm).

Press the chest down at least one-third of the depth of the child's chest [about 2 in. (5 cm)].

Press the chest down at least one-third of the depth of the baby's chest.

If you are trained in CPR, how many compressions and breaths do you give?

30 compressions, 2 breaths. Repeat this 30/2 cycle until help arrives or person breathes on their own.

Note: If you are not trained in CPR with rescue breathing, it is important to continue doing chest compressions.

30 compressions, 2 breaths. Repeat this 30/2 cycle until help arrives or child breathes on their own.

30 compressions, 2 breaths. Repeat this 30/2 cycle until help arrives or baby breathes on their own.

(See a picture of rescue breathing for babies.)

Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are machines that are programmed to safely deliver an electrical shock to a person who is in cardiac arrest. In cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating. The AED checks the heart. Then a shock may be given to help the heart start beating normally again. Each AED has instructions for that machine.

AEDs are in many public places. Before you use one, follow all the steps for CPR. To use an AED, place it next to the person who has collapsed and turn it on. The AED has a computer inside that will tell you what to do next.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Links

Premature (Preterm) Infant Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Dealing With Emergencies

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details