How To: Perform CPR on a baby (British Red Cross)

The most basic and most important aspect of first aid is CPR. It's the one thing that is most likely to save a life. It's stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which is the emergency medical procedure for restoring a person's normal heartbeat and breathing when experiencing heart failure or breathing impairment. But there's a different approach when dealing with and chest massages for babies under one year old.

If an infant is not breathing give one minute of CPR then call an ambulance. If another person is present ask them to call an ambulance straight away.

1. Open the airway by placing one hand on their forehead and gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose.

2. Place your mouth over the mouth and nose of the infant and – by blowing steadily – attempt five initial rescue breaths.

3. Place two fingers in the middle of the chest and press down one third of the depth of the chest. After 30 chest compressions give two rescue breaths.

4. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until emergency help arrives or the person begins to breath normally.

If you are unable or unwilling to give rescue breaths give chest compressions alone.

The British Red Cross designed these first aid videos to help everyone in being prepared and ready to respond to emergencies that may come their way. First aid is very important in making sure injuries don't become worse than they have to… or even life threatening. Rapid response is the best way to help an accident victim's injury and suffering.