At what age is an individual classified as an infant in Basic Life Support (BLS)?

In Basic Life Support (BLS), an individual is classified as an infant if they are up to 1 year of age. This classification is important because the techniques and considerations for providing care differ significantly between infants and older children or adults. For example, CPR techniques, the size of airway devices, and the methods used for identifying and addressing choking are tailored specifically for this age group to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

The age range is set at 1 year to accommodate the rapid changes in physiology and anatomy that occur during the first year of life, after which the approach to life support starts to align more closely with that of older children. Understanding this classification helps caregivers and medical professionals tailor their emergency response appropriately to the developmental stage of the individual, thereby improving outcomes in emergency situations.