Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with unconscious, not breathing, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. This is a cardiac arrest until proven otherwise.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Push hard and fast on chest. Do not stop.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — They do not respond to tapping and shouting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Their chest is NOT rising and falling, OR they are gasping/snoring/gurgling.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Gasping is NOT breathing. It is a sign of cardiac arrest. Start CPR immediately.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The heart has likely stopped pumping blood. Without chest compressions, the brain begins to die within 4-6 minutes. Your hands are keeping this person alive.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Confirm: Not responding + not breathing normally = Start CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 on speaker or shout for someone to call.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Place them flat on their back on a hard surface.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Kneel beside them. Place heel of hand on center of chest.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not diagnose. Push hard on the chest. Every second of delay reduces survival.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — This person will die without professional medical care. CPR buys time. Do not stop.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT stop CPR to check for a pulse.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT put them in recovery position — they need compressions, not positioning.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give up. Continue until professional help takes over.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — CPR can restart the heart
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — CPR keeps blood flowing to the brain. An AED or hospital defibrillator is usually needed to restart the heart.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Sudden collapse
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who was standing or walking has suddenly fallen and is not moving or responding.
Not breathing
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who is unresponsive and has stopped breathing or is breathing abnormally (gasping, gurgling).
Unconscious, breathing
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who is not responding but is breathing normally.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Push hard (5+ cm deep) and fast (100-120 per minute). Let chest fully recoil.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If an AED arrives, turn it on and follow the voice prompts. Do not stop CPR until AED tells you to.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People stop CPR too early thinking it should "fix" the person.