At what age does a child transition to being considered as an adult in CPR protocols?

In CPR protocols, the transition from child to adult is generally recognized at the onset of puberty. This is because puberty signifies significant physiological and anatomical changes that often align with a child's capability to perform or respond to CPR in a manner similar to that of an adult. The American Heart Association and other guidelines indicate that once a child reaches puberty, their body has developed enough to merit the different considerations and techniques used in adult CPR, particularly regarding chest compression depth and the physiological response to cardiac events.

While there are age benchmarks for various stages of development, simply reaching a specific age without considering developmental milestones may not accurately reflect a child's ability to respond to emergencies. Therefore, identifying the onset of puberty as the transition point reflects a more nuanced understanding of the developmental stages that influence physical capability and emergency response effectiveness.

Other specified ages, such as 10, 12, or 18, do not align with the physiological developments that establish a more appropriate ability for adult CPR techniques.