A person’s heart may stop beating after an injury or sudden illness, and they may need help until an ambulance arrives.
Call 111 and ask for an ambulance
Breathe into their mouth 2 times
Chest compressions are the most important part of CPR. If you can’t give breath to the person, continue with chest compressions, pushing hard and fast.
Dangers: Check for any danger to you, the person, or people nearby – things like traffic or live electrical wires. Do what you can to reduce the danger.
Response: Are they responding? Ask “what’s your name?” or say “open your eyes” or “squeeze my hand”. Then grasp and squeeze the person’s shoulders firmly. If they move or make a noise, that’s a response.
Send for help: Call 111 and ask for an ambulance.
Airway: Tilt their head back and lift their chin, this will open their airway. Make sure the person’s tongue isn’t blocking the airway. If there’s anything in the person’s mouth, use two fingers to sweep it out.
Breathing: Check for normal breathing. Is their chest moving? Can you hear them breathing? Can you feel air coming from their nose or mouth? Occasional gasps for air is not breathing normally.
CPR: If the person is not breathing normally, start CPR.
Defib: If there is an AED nearby, attach it to the person as soon as possible and follow the instructions on the AED.
First, do 30 chest compressions (pushes):
Put the person on their back
Place the heel of one hand in the centre of their chest
Place the heel of your other hand directly on top of the first hand
Lean over the person with your elbows locked and your arms straight.
Then, breathe into the patient 2 times:
Tilt the person’s head back with one hand and lift their chin with your other hand
Take a deep breath and seal your lips around the person’s mouth
Block their nose by pinching the soft part of the nose or pushing your cheek against it
Blow into the person’s mouth until you see the chest rise
Remove your mouth, take a fresh deep breath, and blow again into the person’s mouth.