What is the first BLS guideline to follow when initiating CPR on a 12-month-old patient?

When initiating CPR on a 12-month-old patient, the appropriate guidelines to follow are the infant guidelines. A 12-month-old is still considered an infant according to the BLS (Basic Life Support) classification system. The infant guidelines are specifically tailored for patients under 1 year of age, addressing the unique anatomical and physiological differences between infants, children, and adults. These differences influence chest compression techniques, the ratio of compressions to breaths, and the depth of compressions.

For a child who is 12 months old, the guidelines recommend specific techniques for effective resuscitation, including the use of two fingers or two hands for compressions depending on the size of the child, as well as the appropriate breath technique to deliver rescue breaths safely. This ensures that the resuscitation efforts are both effective and safe for an infant's smaller and more delicate physiology. Applying adult or child guidelines would not account for these specific considerations, making the infant guidelines the correct choice in this scenario.