Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Check for Danger

Look for danger to yourself, bystanders and the patient. If able to do so, remove the patient from danger or the danger from the patient without putting yourself at risk.
For example: removing the patient away from a fire.

Check for a Response

Identify if the patient is conscious, by asking the patient questions such as "open your eyes", "can you hear me" while gently shaking their shoulders.

If conscious reassure the patient and seek medical advice

If unconscious carefully roll the patient onto their side, (this is called the recovery position) ensuring that you support the patient’s neck. If the patient is in a motor vehicle, gently tilt the head back.

Check the Airway

Open airway by tilting patient’s head back and lifting the chin. Do not perform a head tilt on babies or injured patients.

Check that the airway is not blocked, this is done by sweeping the mouth with your fingers removing any solid pieces of food or other things, and letting any fluid drain out.

If this simple manoeuvre is unsuccessful in opening a patient’s airway you need to get someone to call an ambulance immediately.

Check Breathing 'look, listen and feel'

Look for the rise and fall of the chest
Listen for breath sounds from their mouth or nose
Feel for the rise and fall of chest

If the patient is breathing keep the patient on their side (recovery position). Remain with the patient while continuing to monitor the patient and check the breathing and pulse every few minutes until Ambulance arrives.

If the patient is not breathing, the first-aider should only roll the unconscious person onto their side if there is foreign material present in the mouth. Open the airway by tilting patient’s head back and after lifting their chin, commence rescue breathing as follows: 

ADULT - pinch the patient’s nostrils and seal your mouth over patient’s mouth and give 2 full breaths
CHILD - use 2 smaller breaths for a child
BABY - seal your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose and give 2 quick puffs

In each case ensure that the chest rises and falls with each breath.

Check Circulation

First aiders are no longer required to check for a pulse when managing an unconscious patient who is not breathing. They should commence rescue breathing as follows:

ADULT – 2 breaths in about 2 seconds
CHILD – 2 breaths in about 2 seconds
BABY – 2 breaths (puffs) in about 2 seconds

Ensure that the patient’s chest rises and falls with each breath and commence CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation).

ADULT - Position the heel of one hand on the centre of the lower half of breastbone (sternum) while grasping the wrist with your other hand.
CHILD– Position the heel of one hand on the centre of the lower half of the breastbone (sternum)
BABY – Position 2 fingers in the centre of the breastbone (sternum) just between the nipples

Give 2 breaths to every 30 compressions (at 100 compressions per minute)

Compress chest to 1/3 of its depth.
If pulse returns but the person has no breathing continue rescue breathing until Ambulance arrives.

Always stay with the person until help arrives

• Keep the ‘000’ (Ambulance dispatcher) informed of persons condition
  (if possible ask someone to do this for you)
• Check for any visible signs of injury and if present;
  Control severe bleeding by applying direct pressure to the affected area (take care to not come in direct contact with blood)
• Support broken bones (fractures) through immobilisation of the limb
  Prevent further injuries to the casualty