P a r t

5

48

Infant: 

Locating the Brachial 

Artery Pulse

To perform a pulse check in an infant, palpate for a brachial pulse. Follow the steps 
below to locate the brachial artery and palpate the pulse. If you do not definitely feel a 
pulse within 10 seconds, begin high-quality CPR, starting with chest compressions.

Step

Action

1

Place 2 or 3 fingers on the inside of the upper arm, midway between the 
infant’s elbow and shoulder.

2

Then press the fingers to attempt to feel the pulse for at least 5 but no more 
than 10 seconds (Figure 29A).

Child: 

Locating the Femoral 

Artery Pulse

To perform a pulse check in a child, palpate a carotid or femoral pulse. If you do not 
definitely feel a pulse within 10 seconds, begin high-quality CPR, starting with chest 
compressions.

Follow these steps to locate the femoral artery pulse:

Step

Action

1

Place 2 fingers in the inner thigh, midway between the hipbone and the pubic 
bone and just below the crease where the leg meets the torso (Figure 29C).

2

Feel for a pulse for at least 5 but no more than 10 seconds. If you do not 
definitely feel a pulse, begin high-quality CPR, starting with chest compressions.

Determine 

Next Actions 

(Boxes 3a, 3b)

Determine next actions based on the presence or absence of normal breathing and pulse:

If

Then

If the victim 
is breathing 
normally and a 
pulse is present

Monitor the victim.

If the victim is 
not breathing 
normally but a 
pulse is present

Provide rescue breathing (see Rescue Breathing in Part 7).

• Add compressions if pulse remains 60/min or less with signs of 

poor perfusion (see Foundational Facts: Signs of Poor Perfusion 

later in Part 5).

• Confirm that the emergency response system has been 

activated. 

• Continue rescue breathing and check pulse about every 2 

minutes. Be ready to perform high-quality CPR if you do not feel 

a pulse or if there is a heart rate less than 60/min with signs of 

poor perfusion.

If the victim is 
not breathing 
normally or is 
only gasping and 
has no pulse

If you are alone and the arrest was sudden and witnessed:

• Leave the victim to activate the emergency response system in 

your setting. For example, call 9-1-1 from your phone, mobilize 

the code team, or notify advanced life support.

• Get the AED and emergency equipment. If someone else is 

available, send that person to get it.

If you are alone and the arrest was not sudden and witnessed:

• Continue to the next step: Begin high-quality CPR for 2 minutes.