CPR

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CPR is a first aid technique that can be used if someone is not breathing properly or if their heart has stopped.Chest compressions and rescue breaths keep blood and oxygen circulating in the body.

1. First check for danger - to the injured person or yourself, for example, traffic, falling debris, electrical hazards etc.

2. Speak to them to get a response. Pinch hard on their ears. Check their breathing.

3. If there is little response, put them into a recovery position to keep the airways open. Place two fingers under the chin and one on the forehead. Tilt the head and lift the chin to take the tongue off the back of the throat.

4. Phone 999 and keep calm

5. Place casualty on their back

To carry out a chest compression:

1. Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers, keeping your fingers off their ribs

2. Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands.

3. Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5–6cm on their chest. Release the pressure but don't remove your hands.

4. Repeat this until an ambulance arrives.Try to perform chest compressions at 100-120 chest compressions a minute.

CPR with rescue breaths

Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the person's chest, then place the other hand on top and press down by 5–6cm at a steady rate, at approximately 100 compressions per minute.

After every 30 chest compressions, give two breaths.

Tilt the casualty's head gently and lift the chin up with two fingers. Pinch the person’s nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth. Check that their chest rises. Give two rescue breaths.

Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

If there is an AED machine use it.

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