Every second counts when a child’s life is on the line. If your child suddenly collapses at school, playground, or home and there are no hospitals nearby. Would you know how to respond in those critical moments? This is where the Pediatric Basic Life Support (BLS) Algorithm becomes more than just a medical procedure—it becomes a lifesaving intervention.
Pediatric BLS is a systematic, evidence-based approach for managing life-threatening emergencies in infants and children. A prompt and effective response can bridge the gap between collapse and advanced medical care, significantly increasing the chances of survival.
Whether you’re a healthcare provider, teacher, parent, or someone who simply wants to be prepared, this guide walks you through every step of the BLS algorithm. You’ll learn how to respond as a single rescuer or in a team-based scenario, use an AED safely, and avoid common mistakes under pressure. Ready to step up in a moment of crisis? Let’s break down the Pediatric BLS Algorithm step by step.
It’s all about the basics before diving into compressions and AED pads. The Pediatric BLS Algorithm starts with scene safety—because you can’t help if you become a victim yourself. Once the scene is secure, check for responsiveness by gently tapping and shouting. No response? It’s time to start.
Next, shout for help and activate the emergency response system. If you’re alone, perform two minutes of CPR before calling 911. If others are around, delegate someone to contact help and grab an AED immediately.
Then, check breathing and pulse. For infants, use the brachial pulse; for children, use the carotid or femoral. If there’s no pulse (or if it’s under 60 bpm with poor perfusion), start high-quality CPR. If the child is not breathing but has a pulse, give rescue breaths every 2–3 seconds. According to the guidelines published by the American Heart Association, the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for pediatric CPR is 30:2 for single rescuers and 15:2 for two-rescuer scenarios, ensuring adequate perfusion and oxygenation.
Each step builds the foundation for effective pediatric resuscitation. Let’s see how these play out in real-time scenarios.
When you’re the only person available during a pediatric cardiac emergency, doing the right thing and doing it quickly can mean the difference between life and death. The single-rescuer BLS approach equips individuals with a structured, step-by-step response, even in high-pressure situations.
Responding solo can be overwhelming, but the steps are clear:
Use an AED as soon as it’s available and follow the audio/visual prompts.
In many real-world settings, two rescuers are available to respond to a child in distress. This scenario allows for more effective coordination and higher-quality CPR, improving the child’s chance of survival.
In a team-based response, coordination is everything:
Clear communication and seamless role-swapping are crucial. Practicing these dynamics in training can make your real-world response fast and effective.
Many people think AEDs are only for adults. This is not true! They are meant to save lives, including those of children.
Guidelines for AED Use in Children:
Can’t find pediatric pads? Use adult ones. It’s better to use them than to wait or do nothing. The AED will walk you through every step. Just turn it on and listen.
Even trained pros can make mistakes in the heat of the moment, but knowing what to watch out for can make a big difference.
Here are a few common missteps:
So how do you keep things sharp?
Practice. A lot. The more you rehearse, the more second-nature it becomes. Use manikins that give feedback, run through real-life scenarios, and update your skills regularly. Confidence comes from muscle memory.
No one ever wants to imagine themselves in a situation where a child’s life hangs in the balance, but emergencies don’t wait for readiness. By familiarizing yourself with the Pediatric BLS Algorithm, you prepare to be explicit, confident, and speedy in your response, including assessing for responsiveness, administering CPR, and using an AED when every moment matters. If you’re a healthcare provider, parent, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, having this knowledge means you’re not standing by — you’re stepping up when it counts.
You don’t have to be a professional to know life-saving techniques; anyone can be the first link in a chain of survival that helps a child survive. Learning or renewing your BLS skills can be the difference you need in a critical moment. If you’re looking for a trusted place to build that confidence, Bayside CPR offers BLS course to help you stay sharp and aligned with the latest American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
The correct sequence for Pediatric Basic Life Support (BLS) follows the CAB approach: Circulation, Airway, Breathing. Begin with chest compressions to maintain blood flow, then open the airway and deliver rescue breaths. Follow AHA guidelines and use a 30:2 compression-to-breath ratio for a single rescuer and 15:2 for two rescuers.
If a choking child becomes unresponsive, start CPR right away without checking the mouth first. Begin with chest compressions to attempt to dislodge the object. After each set, open the airway, check for a visible object, and remove it only if you can see it clearly. Then, give 2 rescue breaths and continue CPR.
In two-rescuer pediatric CPR, the 15:2 ratio allows for more frequent rescue breaths, which is essential since most pediatric cardiac arrests stem from respiratory failure. This higher ventilation rate supports oxygenation while maintaining effective compressions.
The sniffing position helps open a child’s airway by slightly tilting the head back and lifting the chin—mimicking the act of “sniffing the air.” This alignment improves airflow and makes rescue breathing more effective during CPR.
Use the head tilt–chin lift technique for children without suspected trauma: tilt the head back and lift the chin. If spinal injury is suspected, perform a jaw-thrust maneuver instead to open the airway without moving the neck.
