If a victim isnt breathing normally, what is the first thing you should do?

Note: Below is a brief description of the steps in CPR. The information is not intended as a substitute for formal CPR training. To find out where you can receive CPR instructions click here.

Before starting CPR:

• Look at your surroundings to check for safety. 
• Tap the victim’s shoulder and try to get a response. 
• If there is no response, call 911 for emergency assistance, or direct someone else to call. 

To perform rescue breathing and chest compressions:

• Tilt the victim’s head back. Look, listen and feel for breathing. If the victim isn’t breathing normally, pinch closed his nose, cover his mouth with yours and blow into his mouth twice.
• As you are breathing, watch for the victim’s chest to rise.
• If the victim is still not breathing, begin chest compressions. Place your hands in the middle of the victim’s chest, directly between his nipples. Push down 15 times. You should compress the chest about two inches.
• After 15 compressions, give the victim two breaths. After four cycles of breaths and compressions, recheck for signs of breathing or circulation. Continue CPR until signs of life return or paramedics arrive to take over.

  The guidance on resuscitation outside of a hospital setting has changed as a result of COVID-19. When CPR is carried out there is a risk of transmitting coronavirus, particularly through rescue breaths. However, this risk is small whereas taking no action, if the person has had a cardiac arrest, is certain to result in death.

  • If someone is unresponsive, you should shout for help and dial 999. Tell the call handler if you suspect that the victim has COVID-19. Make sure an ambulance is on its way.
  • Check for a response, but do not listen or feel for breathing by placing your ear and cheek close to the patient’s mouth.
  • If you're in any doubt about whether the patient has had a cardiac arrest, start chest compressions (see below for details).
  • Where possible, it’s recommended that you don’t perform rescue breaths or mouth-to-mouth CPR during the pandemic. Only perform chest compressions.
  • If there is a risk of infection, place a cloth or towel over the victim’s mouth and nose. Attempt compression-only CPR and early defibrillation until the ambulance arrives. Read on to find out how to do this.
  • If you have access to personal protective equipment like a mask, gloves or eye protection, you should wear them.
  • After performing compression-only CPR, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, you should use hand sanitiser which is at least 60% alcohol. Do not touch your face until you have done so. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 you should self-isolate for at least seven days.

  This leaflet is created from first aid advice provided by St John Ambulance, the nation's leading first aid charity. This advice is no substitute for first aid training - find a training course near you.

  Unresponsive and breathing

  What to look for

  If someone is not responding to you and you think they are unresponsive, ask loudly: 'Are you alright?' or 'Open your eyes'. If they don't respond, pinch their earlobe or gently shake their shoulders. If they still don't respond, then you can presume they're unresponsive.

  What you need to do

  Step 1 of 5: Open the airway

  • Place one hand on the person's forehead and gently tilt their head back. As you do this, the mouth will fall open slightly.
  • Place the fingertips of your other hand on the point of the person's chin and lift the chin.
  

  Step 2 of 5: Check breathing

  • Look, listen and feel for normal breathing - chest movement, sounds and breaths on your cheek. Do this for no more than ten seconds.
  
  Step 3 of 5: Put them in the recovery position
  • This will keep their airway open.
  • Kneel down next to them on the floor.
  • The next three steps are for if you find the person lying on their back. If you find them lying on their side or their front you may not need all three.
  1. Place their arm nearest you at a right angle to their body, with their palm facing upwards.
  2. Take their other arm and place it across their chest so the back of their hand is against their cheek nearest you, and hold it there. With your other hand, lift their far knee and pull it up until their foot is flat on the floor.
  3. Now you're ready to roll them on to their side. Carefully pull on their bent knee and roll them towards you. Once you've done this, the top arm should be supporting the head and the bent leg should be on the floor to stop them from rolling over too far.
  

  Step 4 of 5: If you suspect spinal injury

  • If you think the person could have a spinal injury, you must keep their neck as still as possible. Instead of tilting their neck, use the jaw thrust technique: place your hands on either side of their face and with your fingertips gently lift the jaw to open the airway, avoiding any movement of their neck.
  

  Step 5 of 5: Call for help

  • Once you've put them safely into the recovery position, call 999 or 112 for medical help.
  • Until help arrives, keep checking the person's breathing.
  • If they stop breathing at any point, call 999 or 112 straightaway and get ready to give them CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation - a combination of chest pressure and rescue breaths).

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  Unresponsive and not breathing

  If an adult is unresponsive and not breathing, you'll need to do CPR (which is short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation). CPR involves giving someone a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep their heart and circulation going to try to save their life. If they start breathing normally again, stop CPR and put them in the recovery position.

  What you need to do

  If someone is with you, get them to call 999 or 112 for emergency help and ask them to get an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available.

  How to perform CPR on an adult

  Step 1: Giving chest compressions

  • Kneel down beside the person on the floor, level with their chest.
  • Place the heel of one hand towards the end of their breastbone, in the centre of their chest.
  
  
  • Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand and interlock your fingers, making sure you keep the fingers off the ribs.
  • Lean over the person, with your arms straight, pressing down vertically on the breastbone, and press the chest down by 5-6 cm (2-2½ in).
  • Release the pressure without removing your hands from their chest. Allow the chest to come back up fully - this is one compression.
  • Repeat 30 times, at a rate of about twice a second or the speed of the song 'Staying Alive'.
  • Give two rescue breaths.

  Step 2: Giving rescue breaths

  • Ensure the person's airway is open.
  
  • Pinch their nose firmly closed.
  
  • Take a deep breath and seal your lips around their mouth.
  • Blow into the mouth until the chest rises.
  
  • Remove your mouth and allow the chest to fall.
  
  • Repeat once more.
  • Carry on giving 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths for as long as you can, or until help arrives.
  • If an automated external defibrillator (AED) arrives switch it on and follow the instructions provided with it.

  If the person starts breathing normally again, stop CPR and put them in the recovery position.

  

  Adapted from the St John Ambulance leaflets: unresponsive breathing adult and unresponsive and not breathing adult. Copyright for this leaflet is with St John Ambulance.

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  Article Information
  • Last Reviewed11 January 2017
  • Next Review 10 January 2022
  • Document ID 28502 (v2)
  • Author St John Ambulance
  • Peer reviewer St John Ambulance

  Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.

  What is the first thing you should do if a victim is not breathing normally?

  If the person isn't breathing normally, you must start chest compressions immediately. Agonal breathing is common in the first few minutes after a sudden cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating).

  What do you do if the victim is not breathing normally or is gasping and has no pulse?

  The American Heart Association considers gasping to be the same as not breathing, and they state, “If the person isn't breathing or is only gasping, give CPR.” An AED should be used if one is available.

  What to do if a victim is breathless?

  If someone is having breathing difficulty, call 911 or your local emergency number right away, then:.

  Check the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. ... .

  Loosen any tight clothing..

  Help the person use any prescribed medicine (such as an asthma inhaler or home oxygen)..

  What is the first thing you should do if a person is unconscious and not breathing UK?

  If someone is unconscious and not breathing If someone is not breathing normally, call 999 and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) straight away.