Pick an algorithm below to see a step-by-step flowchart and the key numbers for adult, child and infant CPR and choking, including the 2025 guideline changes.
This is the backbone of every BLS skills session. Check the scene, check the patient, get help and an AED on the way, then check breathing and pulse at the same time. What you find decides whether you monitor, give rescue breaths, or start CPR.
Continue until ALS takes over or the person starts to move
BLS Algorithm
Adult BLS for Lay Rescuers
Community CPR
For the public, CPR comes down to a few actions. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911, start chest compressions, and use an AED as soon as one arrives. This is what we teach at our free community CPR classes.
Step-by-step flowchart
Unresponsive and not breathing normally (or only gasping)
Call 911
If someone is with you, send them for an AED
Start chest compressions
Push hard and fast in the center of the chest
AED arrives
Turn it on, apply pads, follow the prompts
Resume CPR for 2 minutes between checks
Suspect an opioid overdose?
Yes → give naloxone if available, then keep doing CPR
Keep going until help takes over or the person moves
BLS Algorithm
Adult Foreign-Body Airway Obstruction
Choking — updated 2025
The 2025 guidelines changed adult choking care: start with back blows, then alternate with abdominal thrusts. Use chest thrusts instead if the person is in late pregnancy or you can't get your arms around their abdomen.
Step-by-step flowchart
Verify scene safety
Signs of severe obstruction?
No → encourage coughing and keep watching
Activate emergency response
Is the person responsive?
Responsive
Repeat cycles
5 back blows
5 abdominal thrusts (chest thrusts if late pregnancy or you can't encircle the abdomen)
Until object comes out or person becomes unresponsive
Unresponsive
Start CPR
Begin with compressions
Look in the mouth for the object before each set of breaths
Object expelled: monitor until advanced care arrives
BLS Algorithm
Child Foreign-Body Airway Obstruction
Age 1 to puberty
For a choking child, the 2025 guidelines now start with back blows and alternate with abdominal thrusts. If the child stops responding, start CPR and check the mouth for the object before giving breaths.
Step-by-step flowchart
Verify scene safety
Signs of severe obstruction?
No → encourage coughing and keep watching
Activate emergency response
Is the child responsive?
Responsive
Repeat cycles
5 back blows
5 abdominal thrusts
Until object comes out or child becomes unresponsive
Unresponsive
Start pediatric CPR
Begin with compressions
Check the mouth for the object before breaths
Object expelled: monitor until advanced care arrives
BLS Algorithm
Infant Foreign-Body Airway Obstruction
Under 1 year
Hold the infant face-down along your forearm, supporting the head, for back blows, then turn them face-up for chest thrusts. Repeat until the object comes out or the infant becomes unresponsive.
Step-by-step flowchart
Verify scene safety
Signs of severe obstruction?
No → let the infant cough and keep watching
Activate emergency response
Is the infant responsive?
Responsive
Repeat cycles
5 back blows
5 chest thrusts
Until object comes out or infant becomes unresponsive
Unresponsive
Start infant CPR
Begin with compressions
Check the mouth for the object before breaths
Object expelled: monitor until advanced care arrives
BLS Algorithm
Pediatric BLS — Single Rescuer
Infants to puberty
Kids usually arrest because of a breathing problem, so ventilation gets extra attention. If you're alone and the collapse wasn't witnessed, do 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to call and get an AED. If the collapse was sudden and witnessed, get the AED first.
Yes → 1 shock, then CPR 2 minNo → resume CPR 2 min
BLS Algorithm
Pediatric BLS — 2 or More Rescuers
Infants to puberty
With two rescuers, one starts CPR while the other activates the emergency response and brings the AED. The ratio changes to 15 compressions to 2 breaths, giving the child more frequent breaths.
Yes → 1 shock, then CPR 2 minNo → resume CPR 2 min
Continue until PALS providers take over or the child moves
These summaries are a study aid created by Hale CPR LLC based on the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC. They do not replace an AHA course, your provider manual, or your facility's protocols and medical direction. Always verify doses against current references.
