Step 1
If an adult appears unconscious, gently shake their shoulders and loudly ask if they are okay.
Step 2
If the person is not breathing, or not breathing normally, ask someone to call 999 and ask someone to find a public access defibrillator (PAD).
Call 999 yourself if no one is around. Call handlers will give instructions on how to perform CPR.
Step 3
Start chest compressions.
Kneel next to the victim and place the heel of one hand on the centre of their chest. Place the other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers.
Keep your arms straight and use the heel of the hand to push down firmly between the breastbone — around 5 to 6cm — and release.
Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute — around two per second.
Songs including Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor and Wannabe by the Spice Girls all have 100 to 120 beats per minute, so medics recommend thinking of these songs while performing CPR.
Step 4
Keep performing chest compressions until 999 crews arrive on the scene and take over, or the person starts to regain consciousness — by coughing, opening their eyes, speaking or breathing normally.
If someone is nearby, it can be performed in turns.
Step 5
If a defibrillator is found, turn it on and follow its instructions.
The machine will detect whether a shock is needed. Some of the gadgets will shock without prompt, while others will advise if a shock needs to be pushed to deliver the shock.
Rescue Breaths
While delivering chest compressions, give rescue breaths if you’re comfortable to do so.
The British Heart Foundation says CPR without mouth-to-mouth is still very effective at keeping the heart pumping.
To give rescue breaths, tilt the person’s head back gently and lift their chin up with two fingers.
Pinch their nose. Seal your mouth over theirs and blow hard for one second. Do this twice.
Then pump the chest for 30 counts before giving another two rescue breaths.
The method for performing life-saving CPR on babies and children is different from that for adults.
How to perform CPR on babies under the age of one
1. Turn the child on their back, open their mouth and tilt their head back
2. Seal their mouth and nose with your mouth and breathe out firmly until their chest rises. Give five of these rescue breaths.
3. Put two fingers in the centre of the child’s chest and push down by around 4cm. Repeat 30 times, allowing the chest to come back up before pushing down again.
4. After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths. Repeat until emergency help arrives, or the child shows signs of consciousness, such as breathing, moving or opening their eyes.
How to perform CPR on a child aged one to 18
1. Turn the child on their back, open their mouth and tilt their head back
2. Pinch their nose, seal their mouth with yours and breathe out firmly until their chest rises. Give five of these rescue breaths.
3. Put one hand in the centre of the child’s chest and push down by around one third. Repeat 30 times, allowing the chest to come back up before pushing down again.
4. After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths. Repeat until emergency help arrives, or the child shows signs of consciousness, such as breathing, moving or opening their eyes.
Source: British Heart Foundation
