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Cut out and keep in your first aid box

1. Check for response

• Check for a Pulse
• Can you hear me?
• Gently tap or shake them

The ABC of CPR will guide you through the rest of the process

2. A - Airway

Clear obstructed airways.

The person will need to be on their back on a flat surface. If they are not on their back gently roll them over towards you while supporting their neck . Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin, while supporting the neck, to open the airway. Move the tongue out of the airway - when you are unconscious your tongue relaxes and can roll to the back of your mouth.

3. B - Breathing

Perform mouth-to-mouth breathing.

• Pinch the nostrils closed.
• Take a deep breath.
• Place your mouth firmly over the casualty.
• Exhale deeply into their mouth for two seconds and see if the chest rises. If it doesn’t check the airway for blockage.
• As their chest falls breathe in again deeply and repeat. Check the pulse and if it is beating continue breathing into their mouth every five seconds until their breathing is normal.
• If there isn’t a pulse start chest compressions as below.

4. C -Circulation

If the casualty is breathing or has started breathing again, check for a pulse, by feeling the carotid artery below the jawbone or the brachial artery in the elbow joint.

If you cannot feel a pulse within 10 seconds, start chest compressions.

• Position your hands in the centre of the casualties chest and perform 30 chest compressions:
• Keeping your arms straight lean over the casualty and use your body weight to depress the chestbone to a depth of about 4cm.
• Do compressions at a rate of about 100 per minute. Give rescue breaths (as above) between every 30 compressions.

5. Recovery

Once CPR has been performed successfully, place the casualty into the recovery position.

• Angle the left arm next to the head at approximately 90o. Bring the right hand over the chest and position under the cheek.
• Bend the right leg at the knee as shown.
• Now move the casualty into the recovery position by rolling the torso towards you, while stabilizing the head with your hand. Ensure that their airway remains open and they continue to breathe normally.

NB Babies under 12 months old

If performing mouth-to-mouth on a baby, put your mouth over the babies mouth and nose.

For chest compressions, use two fingers.

Children Under 8

For chest compressions, use only the heel of one hand, and do five compressions for every breath.

AT A GLANCE

• Check for Danger
• Call for Help
• Give CPR