Be Ready to Save a Life

In a drowning emergency, every second counts. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can mean the difference between life and death.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or bystander, being prepared to assist in water rescue and perform CPR can save lives before emergency responders arrive.

This section provides essential first-aid tips, rescue techniques, and CPR guidance to help you act confidently in an aquatic emergency. When it comes to water safety, being prepared is everything.

Learn More About First Aid from the American Red Cross.

Be Prepared with Training & Rescue Equipment

Pool owners and operators should take a water safety course to learn proper rescue techniques and hands-on use of rescue equipment.

Every pool should have rescue devices, such as reaching and throwing tools, for quick and safe rescues.
Make sure CPR instructions are posted, a breathing mask is accessible, and a well-stocked first aid kit is always on hand.

Get Trained. Act with Confidence.

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How to Perform CPR

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation can help save a life during cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. However, even after training, remembering the CPR steps and administering them correctly can be a challenge.

How many compressions should you do, and how fast? How deeply should you compress the chest? How often should you give rescue breaths? These are all important factors to consider to ensure you can perform high quality CPR when the time comes. To be prepared when to perform CPR, please read the steps below.

How to do Compression-Only CPR

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Child & Baby CPR Steps

Check the scene for safety, form an initial impression, obtain consent from the parent or guardian, and use personal protective equipment (PPE)

If the child or baby appears unresponsive, check the child or baby for responsiveness (shout-tap-shout)

  • For a child, shout to get the child’s attention, using the child’s name if you know it. If the child does not respond, tap the child’s shoulder and shout again while checking for breathing, life-threatening bleeding or another obvious life-threatening condition
  • For a baby, shout to get the baby’s attention, using the baby’s name if you know it. If the baby does not respond, tap the bottom of the baby’s foot and shout again while checking for breathing, life-threatening bleeding or another obvious life-threatening condition
  • Check for no more than 10 seconds

If the child or baby does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so

Place the child or baby on their back on a firm, flat surface

  • For a child, kneel beside the child
  • For a baby, stand or kneel to the side of the baby, with your hips at a slight angle

Give 30 compressions

For a child, place the heel of one hand in the center of the child’s chest, with your other hand on top and your fingers interlaced and off the child’s chest

  • Position your shoulders directly over your hands and lock your elbows
  • Keep your arms straight
  • Push down hard and fast about 2 inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute
  • Allow the chest to return to normal position after each compression

For a small child, use a one-handed CPR technique
  • Place the heel of one hand in the center of the child’s chest
  • Push down hard and fast about 2 inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute

For a baby, place both thumbs (side-by-side) on the center of the baby’s chest, just below the nipple line
  • Use the other fingers to encircle the baby’s chest toward the back, providing support
  • Using both thumbs at the same time, push hard down and fast about 1 ½ inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute
  • Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each compression

Alternatively, for a baby, use the two-finger technique
  • Use two fingers placed parallel to the chest in the center of the chest

For a baby, if you can’t reach the depth of 1 ½ inches, consider using the one-hand technique

Give 2 breaths

  • For a child, open the airway to a slightly past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique
  • For a baby, open the airway to a neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique
  • Blow into the child or baby’s mouth for about 1 second
    • Ensure each breath makes the chest rise
    • Allow the air to exit before giving the next breath

  • If the first breath does not cause the chest to rise, retilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the second breath. If the second breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway

Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths until:

  • You notice an obvious sign of life
  • An AED is ready to use
  • Another trained responder is available to take over compressions
  • EMS personnel arrive and begin their care
  • You are alone and too tired to continue
  • The scene becomes unsafe
  • You have performed approximately 2 minutes of CPR (5 sets of 30:2), you are alone and caring for baby, and you need to call 9-1-1

Adult CPR Steps

CHECK the scene for safety, form an initial impression and use personal protective equipment (PPE)

If the person appears unresponsive, CHECK for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout

If the person does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so.

Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface

The American Red Cross CPR guidelines recommend 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, 30 at a time. Remember these five points:

  • Hand position: Two hands centered on the chest
  • Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
  • Compression depth: At least 2 inches
  • Rate of compressions: 100 to 120 per minute
  • Allow chest to return to normal position after each compression

Give 2 breaths

  • Open the airway to a past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique
  • Pinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and make complete seal over the person’s mouth with your mouth.
  • Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath

Note: If the 1st breath does not cause the chest to rise, retilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the 2nd breath If the 2nd breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway

Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths. Use an AED as soon as one is available! Minimize interruptions to chest compressions to less than 10 seconds.

When to Perform CPR?

CPR is performed when someone is unresponsive and not breathing or gasping for air. It is used to help save a life when the heart stops beating or is beating too ineffectively to circulate blood to vital organs.

How Many Compressions per Minute for CPR?

100 to 120 compressions per minute, based on the CPR guidelines from the American Red Cross.

How Long Should You Check for Breathing While Performing CPR?

When performing compressions and rescue breathing, check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds.

This is content created and shared by the American Red Cross.

Resources & Safety Tips

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