Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) saves lives – knowing how to do it is a must have skill.
Danger –
Protect yourself – Look for hazards, why are they lying there? Is it safe to approach?
Response –
Ask them if they’re alright? Approach from their feet if possible, waggle their foot?
Gently but firmly shake their shoulders. If they don’t respond to this, they are UNRESPONSIVE
Shout for help –
call for someone to help you, by calling an ambulance or fetching a defibrillator.
Airway –
Check the airway is open, look in the mouth for any obstruction – tilt the head back and gently lift the chin, this should open the airway
Breathing –
Keeping the airway open place your face looking down their chest, feel for breath on your cheek and listen for breathing sounds, watch for the rise and fall of the chest for no more than 10 seconds.
Call the Ambulance now –
get your helper / bystander to dial 999 / 112 and tell them you have an unresponsive and not breathing casualty, tell them to confirm to you when they’ve done it
The ambulance service will tell them where the nearest defibrillator is located and any key code to access it.
Send your bystander to fetch it.
Adult Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation –
Start CPR NOW.
To begin CPR kneel by the casualty’s chest.
Loosen enough clothing to find the base of the breastbone or sternum.
Two finger widths above this, place the heel of your hand over the middle of the chest.
Interlink the fingers of your other hand.
Raise your back so your arms are straight and your shoulders directly over your hands.
Push down firmly on the chest about 5 or 6cm (2-2.5 inches)
Repeat these compressions 30 times, at about twice a second
Don’t worry if you hear cracking sounds, this is often normal
Move to the head, tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway.
Pinch the casualty’s nose and pace your mouth around their mouth, making a good seal
Breathe into their mouth normally twice, watch to see if the chest rises.
Allowing time for the air to be expelled between breaths
Start compressions again and continue with a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
Continue with compressions and rescue breaths,
- until exhausted,
- told to stop by a medical professional
- the casualty makes definite signs of recovery (pushing you off)
Don’t stop for more than 10 seconds between compressions and breaths
Find out more about Why we train first aid