Unresponsive and breathing

How to help someone who is unresponsive and breathing. This means they don’t answer or move if you call their name or shake their shoulders, and they are breathing.

Learning objectives

Learn first aid skills
Feel confident to help someone who needs first aid
Feel able to help someone who is in need of first aid

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You can watch this film to find out how to help someone who is unresponsive and breathing.

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Have a look at the steps further down the page to see how to adjust the steps during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Now let’s take a closer look at this skill.

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What do you think Liya thought about when she saw the jogger fall down?

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When Liya told her dad to call for an ambulance, which number did she call?

999 111 101

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How would you help someone who is unresponsive and breathing?

Sit them up and make sure their head is facing forward. Roll them onto their side and tilt their head back. Turn them on their side and tilt their head forward.

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Remember: roll them over and tilt their head back.

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I feel confident helping someone who is unresponsive and breathing.

Take action: If someone is unresponsive and breathing, roll them over and tilt their head back.

Start Over

Click on the link below to read the video transcript.

Unresponsive and breathing video transcript

Giving first aid during the coronavirus pandemic

Please always consider your own personal safety first when delivering first aid

Read our covid-19 guidance

First aid for someone who is unresponsive and breathing

Step 1

Someone who is unresponsive won’t answer or move if you call their name or shake their shoulders. Check if they are breathing. Is their chest moving? If the answer is yes, they are breathing.

Due to the risks of Covid-19, do not listen or feel for breathing by placing your ear and cheek close to the patient’s mouth.

Step 2

If they are breathing, roll them onto their side and tilt their head back.

Step 3

Tell an adult and call 999.

Think you know how to help someone who is unresponsive and breathing?

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Learn

Use these resources to help children learn how to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing.

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