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How to resuscitate

Would you know what to do if you came across a person who was unconscious and not breathing?

Watch the videos on how to resuscitate adults, children and babies, or read the tips written below the video players.

CPR on adults
CPR on children aged one to puberty
CPR on babies aged under one year old

CPR on adults

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If an adult is not breathing normally, you must call an ambulance then start cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths.

1. Place your hands on the centre of their chest and, with the heel of your hand, press down (4-5cm). After every 30 chest compressions give 2 breaths.

diagram of adult chest compression
2. Pinch the person’s nose. Place your mouth over their mouth and – by blowing steadily – attempt 2 rescue breaths each over one second.
diagram of adult rescue breath
3. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until emergency help arrives.

CPR on children aged one to puberty

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If a child is not breathing give one minute of CPR then call an ambulance. If another person is present ask them to call an ambulance straight away.

1. Open the airway by placing one hand on their forehead and gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose.

woman holding child's head
2. Pinch the child’s nose. Place your mouth over the child’s mouth and attempt 5 initial rescue breaths.
woman blowing into child's mouth
3. Place your hands on the centre of their chest and, with the heel of your hand, press down one third of the depth of the chest using one or two hands. After every 30 chest compressions give 2 breaths.
woman pressing on child's chest
4. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until emergency help arrives.

CPR on babies aged under one year old

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If an infant is not breathing give one minute of CPR then call an ambulance. If another person is present ask them to call an ambulance straight away.

1. Open the airway by placing one hand on their forehead and gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose.

man with finger under baby's chin and hand on head
2.  Place your mouth over the mouth and nose of the infant and – by blowing steadily – attempt 5 initial rescue breaths.
man mouth to mouth with baby
3.  Place 2 fingers in the middle of the chest and press down one third of the depth of the chest. After 30 chest compressions give 2 breaths.
man with two finger tips on baby's chest and hand on head
4.  Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until emergency help arrives.

Learn how to deal with bleeding

Learn how to deal with choking

If you would like to learn further techniques, then why not look at our range of first aid courses throughout the UK?

Call 0844 871 8000 or email firstaid@redcross.org.uk

Buy a first aid manual
related pages

Related pages

First aid training
Emergency response and first aid volunteering
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Downloads

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Voiceover subtitles for video clipsOpens in a new window
(Word Document)
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