Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with not waking up, use emergency mode.
Do this nowThis content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who is unresponsive and may not be breathing normally.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Shake them. Call for help. Push hard on chest. Do not stop.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person is not responding, not breathing normally, or only gasping — treat as a potential life-threatening emergency.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Less urgent: they respond when you check, and breathe normally. Monitor closely and get help if unsure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If red-flag signs are present, get emergency help moving or start emergency mode.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Their heart may have stopped. Blood is not reaching the brain.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — This can happen suddenly during a heart problem, drowning, choking, or an accident. The person may collapse without warning.
Check the scene before you approach.
Do not move unless in immediate danger (fire, water, electricity).
Other · HARD STOP
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check the scene before you approach. Do not enter uncontrolled danger.
Do not: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not become another casualty.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call emergency services from a safe distance if the scene is dangerous.
Electricity · CAUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not start CPR in an unsafe scene — fire, floodwater, downed power lines, or violence nearby.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call emergency services from a safe distance. Wait for professionals if the scene is unsafe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Once the scene is safe, proceed with response checks and CPR as needed.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check the scene before you approach.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check if the person responds. Follow the canonical Checking Responsiveness procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Get emergency help moving. Follow the canonical Calling for Emergency Help procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check whether they are breathing normally. Follow the canonical Checking Breathing procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Not breathing normally or only gasping — follow the canonical Adult CPR procedure.
When and how to get professional help.
Do not attempt to diagnose the cause. Push hard on the chest and wait for professionals.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use the correct regional emergency system. Put the phone on speaker if possible so your hands stay free.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell the dispatcher where you are and what happened. Answer questions and follow instructions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on the line. The dispatcher may give instructions. Do not hang up first.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not enter uncontrolled danger.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not rely on a pulse check if you are a lay rescuer.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not treat gasping as normal breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not delay CPR while waiting for an AED.
Step-by-step questions to help you decide what to do.
Emergency mode includes an interactive decision guide that walks you through key questions for this situation.
Open emergency guideChild, infant, elderly, and other variations.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
How to Help Someone Else
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow the canonical pediatric CPR procedure — do not inherit adult compression details.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
How to Help Someone Else
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow the canonical infant CPR procedure — do not inherit adult compression details.
What you can do before an emergency happens.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Take a certified CPR course. Practice compressions on a manikin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Know where AEDs are located in your workplace, gym, and community buildings.
Check your understanding with recognition and action questions.
Question 1 · action-first
A person has collapsed and is not responding. What should you do first?
Feedback: First check whether the person responds. The reviewed responsiveness-check procedure will guide you through the specific steps.
Question 2 · action-first
The person is not responding and not breathing normally. What should you do?
Feedback: Call for emergency help immediately and begin chest compressions. Follow the canonical Adult CPR procedure for technique details.
Question 3 · do-not
What should you NOT do when someone is unconscious?
Feedback: Never give food, drink, or medicine to an unconscious person. They cannot swallow safely and may choke.
Question 4 · action-first
You are doing chest compressions. An AED becomes available. What should you do?
Feedback: Turn on the AED and follow its voice prompts. Continue CPR between shocks as directed.
Question 5 · recognition
The person is unconscious but breathing normally. What should you do?
Feedback: If they are breathing normally, place them in the recovery position, get emergency help, and monitor their breathing. Follow the canonical Recovery Position procedure for technique details.
Reusable skills connected to this situation.
Am I safe?
Recognize hazards before you help. Do not become another casualty.
Call for help
WHERE → WHAT → HOW MANY → DANGER → CONDITION → CALLBACK.
Are they responding?
Check if the person responds to your voice or touch.
Are they breathing?
Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing.
Where this guidance comes from.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow the canonical Adult CPR procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use an AED as soon as it is available. Follow the canonical AED Use procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not stop compressions unnecessarily. Minimize interruptions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Continue care until trained responders take over.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use an AED when available — follow the canonical AED Use procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If breathing normally but still not responding, recovery position may be appropriate — follow the canonical Recovery Position procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow the canonical Adult CPR procedure when not breathing normally or only gasping.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If others are present, assign tasks: one gets emergency help, one starts CPR, one finds an AED.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Self-rescue is not possible when you are unconscious. You cannot perform chest compressions on yourself.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If you feel faint or chest pain while alone, get emergency help on speakerphone immediately and unlock your door if safe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hands-only CPR may be appropriate in some situations — follow the canonical Adult CPR procedure for guidance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An AED can analyze heart rhythm and deliver a shock if needed. Follow the canonical AED Use procedure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A barrier device protects rescuers during rescue breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow the canonical Adult CPR procedure. No equipment is required for chest compressions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your hands are enough to circulate blood until professional help arrives.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Delivers an electric shock to restart the heart when rhythm is shockable.
Hands-only CPR
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Provides protection during rescue breathing.
Hands-only CPR
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Always — this is always a medical emergency. Get emergency help immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Even if the person starts breathing again, they need hospital care. Do not decline ambulance transport.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not touch the person during AED analysis or shock.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not use recovery position instead of CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not assume a normally-breathing unresponsive person is safe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not put anything in their mouth or give food, drink, or medicine.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not start CPR if trained professionals are already performing it. Step back and assist as directed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not enter an unsafe scene (fire, floodwater, downed power lines, violence). Get emergency help from a safe distance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Myth: "Mouth-to-mouth is always required." Reality: Hands-only CPR is effective for adult cardiac arrest.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fear of mouth-to-mouth stops people from doing anything. Doing compressions alone saves lives.
You need to give mouth-to-mouth
Hands-only CPR is effective for adult cardiac arrest when rescue breathing is not possible.
Fear of mouth-to-mouth stops people from doing anything.
You can hurt someone by doing CPR wrong
Doing nothing is worse when the heart has stopped. Compressions circulate blood to the brain.
Hesitation while the heart is stopped kills.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Responding to cardiac arrest is emotionally difficult. Stress, shaking, and sadness afterward are normal.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Talk to someone you trust or a counselor if distress continues. You did what you could.
Chest compressions
Push hard and fast on the center of the chest — source-backed and expert-reviewed.