Guide · First aid

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, their heart has probably stopped. Call your local emergency number (112 in Europe and many other countries, 911 in North America) at once, put the phone on speaker, and start CPR. Send someone for an AED (defibrillator) if there might be one nearby.

Chest compressions

1. Lay the person on their back on a firm surface.
2. Kneel beside them. Put the heel of one hand in the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone.
3. Put your other hand on top and lace your fingers together.
4. Lean over with straight arms, shoulders above your hands.
5. Push straight down 5–6 cm, then let the chest come fully back up.
6. Go at 100–120 compressions a minute — about two per second. The beat of a fast pop song helps.

Rescue breaths

If you are trained and willing, give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions:

1. Tilt the head back and lift the chin.
2. Pinch the nose closed, seal your mouth over theirs and blow steadily for about one second, watching the chest rise.
3. Give a second breath, then go straight back to compressions.

If you are untrained or unwilling to give breaths, do hands-only CPR: continuous compressions without stopping. It is far better than doing nothing.

Using an AED

Switch it on the moment it arrives and follow its spoken instructions. Stick the pads on bare skin as shown on the pictures. Keep compressions going while the pads go on, and make sure nobody touches the person when it analyses or delivers a shock. AEDs are designed for untrained people — you can't harm someone with one.

Children and babies

• If you know child CPR, start with 5 rescue breaths, then 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
• For a child, press about one-third of the depth of the chest (about 5 cm), using one or two hands.
• For a baby under one, use two fingers or encircle the chest with both hands and press with your thumbs, about 4 cm deep. Cover the mouth and nose with your mouth for breaths.
• If you only know adult CPR, use it. Doing something is what counts.

Keep going

Don't stop until emergency services take over, the person starts breathing normally, or you are too exhausted to carry on. Swap with another person every two minutes if you can, with as little pause as possible. If they start breathing normally, put them in the recovery position and keep watching their breathing.

CPR is tiring and frightening, and it does not always work. Whatever happens, starting it gives the person their best chance. This guide does not replace a first-aid course. A few hours of hands-on practice will make you far more confident when it matters.

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