Strangulation

Critical

⚠️ Check: Is the area safe for you to approach?

Neck injury is likely. Minimize neck movement during rescue and CPR.

Call 112. Remove pressure from neck if hanging. CPR if not breathing. Do not twist neck.

Step 1: Call 112 immediately
Step 2: If hanging and person is still suspended — support weight and cut/remove ligature with help if trained rescuers not yet arrived
Step 3: If not breathing — start CPR
Step 4: Do not move neck unnecessarily
Step 5: Preserve scene if assault — do not wash neck marks before medical exam if safe

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume they are fine because they can speak.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT massage or heat the neck.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT let them walk away without ambulance evaluation.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell 112: "Strangulation/hanging. Breathing: yes/no. Conscious: yes/no. Assault suspected: yes/no."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Request police if intentional harm.

All strangulation and hanging survivors need emergency care — internal neck injury may have no visible marks.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All strangulation survivors need hospital monitoring — stroke and airway swelling can occur without obvious external injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hoarseness or trouble swallowing developing after release means call 112 again — airway may be swelling.

This helper does not contact emergency services. You must call yourself.