AHA 2025 BLS guidelines for healthcare providers. Adult, child, and infant CPR — BLS scope only.
Ensure scene is safe. Tap victim's shoulder and shout 'Are you OK?' Check for breathing. If unresponsive and not breathing normally (only gasping), activate EMS and get an AED.
Locate the larynx. Slide fingers into the groove between the trachea and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Feel for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10. If no pulse felt within 10 seconds, begin chest compressions.
Heel of one hand on lower half of sternum. Other hand on top, interlock fingers. Arms straight, shoulders over hands.
Head-tilt chin-lift: one hand on forehead, two fingers under chin. Tilt head back while lifting chin. For suspected spinal injury use jaw-thrust instead.
Pinch nose closed. Make seal over mouth. Give 1 breath over 1 second. Watch for chest rise. Give second breath. If chest does not rise reposition airway and try again.
After 2 breaths resume compressions immediately. 30 compressions (about 18 seconds) to 2 breaths. Switch rescuers every 2 minutes (5 cycles) if available.
If unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths perform compression-only CPR. Push hard and fast at 100-120/min. Any CPR is better than no CPR.
Ensure safety. Tap and shout. Check for breathing. If unresponsive and not breathing normally, send someone to call 911 and get an AED. If alone give 2 minutes of CPR before calling 911.
Check carotid or femoral artery for 5-10 seconds. If no pulse or HR under 60 with poor perfusion begin chest compressions.
One hand for small child or two hands for larger child on lower half of sternum. Compress at least 1/3 chest depth (~2 inches / 5 cm) at 100-120 per minute. Full chest recoil.
Head-tilt chin-lift. Give 2 breaths each over 1 second. Single rescuer: 30:2. Two rescuers: 15:2. Switch every 2 minutes.
Tap foot and shout. Check breathing. Check brachial pulse on inside of upper arm for 5-10 seconds. If no pulse or HR under 60 with poor perfusion begin CPR.
Single rescuer: Two fingers in center of chest at nipple line. Compress at least 1/3 chest depth (~1.5 inches / 4 cm) at 100-120 per minute. Full recoil.
Two rescuers (2025 AHA): Use 2 thumb-encircling hands technique. Both hands encircle the infant's chest with thumbs pressing on the sternum at nipple line and fingers supporting the back. This generates better compression depth and coronary perfusion pressure than the two-finger method.
Head-tilt chin-lift in neutral position (do not overextend). Seal over mouth AND nose. Give 1 breath over 1 second watching for chest rise. Give second breath.
Open the case or press power. Follow voice prompts. Most power on automatically when lid opens.
Expose chest. Remove clothing, medication patches, or excessive hair. One pad upper right chest (below collarbone). Other pad lower left side (over ribs below armpit). Pads must not touch.
Say 'Im clear youre clear everyone is clear.' No one touches victim. AED analyzes automatically.
Announce CLEAR again. Confirm no one touching. Press shock button. Resume CPR starting with compressions immediately after shock.
After shock or no shock advised begin chest compressions. Continue 30:2 for 2 minutes. AED re-analyzes every 2 minutes.
Position at victims side. Chest compressions at 100-120/min. Count cycles out loud.
Position at victims head. Open airway. Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions (adult) or 15 (child/infant).
Rescuer 1 calls 'Switch at end of cycle.' Rescuer 2 moves to compressions. Rescuer 1 moves to head. Minimize pause under 5 seconds.
When AED arrives Rescuer 2 applies pads while Rescuer 1 continues compressions. Stop compressions only for AED analysis. After shock resume compressions immediately no pulse check.
15 BLS-scope questions based on AHA guidelines.