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Due to the current coronavirus outbreak, there are several important changes to CPR advised by the Resuscitation Council UK. If you find someone unconscious follow these simple steps:

Shake the person gently and shout for help.
Call 999.
Don't put your face close to theirs. If you think there's risk of infection, use a towel or a piece of clothing and lay it over their mouth and nose.
Give chest compressions only - do not give rescue breaths.
Continue until an ambulance arrives.
After the ambulance crew have taken over wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand gel.

Defibrillators

After dialling 999 and starting CPR, using a defibrillator is the next crucial step in saving someone's life.

Learn more about defibrillators

CPR in 5 steps

Step 1: Shake and shout

If you come across someone who is unconscious, always check for danger and look for risks before you start helping.

Someone having a cardiac arrest will either not be breathing or they won't be breathing normally. They also won't be conscious.

Check for a response – gently shake the person's shoulders and ask loudly 'are you alright?'

Shout for help – if someone is nearby, ask them to stay as you might need them. If you are alone, shout loudly to attract attention, but don't leave the person.

Step 2: Call 999

If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally:

ask someone to call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance
ask someone for a public access defibrillator (PAD).

If there's no one around call 999 before starting compressions.

Step 3: Cover mouth and nose with cloth.

If you think there's a risk of infection, lay a towel or a piece of clothing over the mouth and nose. Don't put your face close to theirs.
If you're sure the person is breathing normally, then put them in the recovery position.

Step 4: Give chest compressions

Do not give rescue breaths at this time.

Kneel next to the person.
Place the heel of one hand in the centre of their chest. Place your other hand on top of the first. Interlock your fingers.
With straight arms, use the heel of your hand to push the breastbone down firmly and smoothly, so that the chest is pressed down between 5–6 cm, and release.
Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – that's around 2 per second.

Step 5: Keep going

Keep going until professional help arrives and takes over, or the person starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening their eyes, speaking, or breathing normally.
If you're feeling tired, and there's someone nearby to help, instruct them to continue.

If you're the person giving CPR to someone it can be a traumatic event, even if they survive.

Our support page talks about life after giving CPR.
Read about others who have performed CPR.

Buy a CPR training kit

CPR training kits are available to buy from our online shop.