At what age is a person considered a child for CPR purposes?

For CPR purposes, a person is classified as a child from the age of 1 year until the onset of puberty. This classification is important because the physiological differences between infants, children, and adults impact the techniques and guidelines used during CPR.

Children generally require different approaches than adults due to their smaller size, different anatomy, and varying physiological responses. The age range specified for children allows caregivers and healthcare providers to effectively tailor their resuscitation efforts. Recognizing when a person transitions from a child to an adult is crucial for applying the appropriate protocols, such as the compression-to-breath ratio and the amount of force used during chest compressions.

Understanding this classification helps ensure that the resuscitation techniques applied are suitable for the individual's developmental stage, thereby increasing the chances of a successful outcome in an emergency.