Unresponsive and breathing

An unresponsive person is lying on their side

Learning objectives

Learn how to recognise when someone is unresponsive and breathing
Learn the key action to help when someone is unresponsive and breathing
Practise applying the key action to a known situation in a role play
Share something creative to inform others how they can help someone who is unresponsive and breathing

Guidance regarding giving first aid in the current coronavirus situation can be found in our News section. Please always consider your own personal safety first when delivering first aid.

Click through the slides below to watch the film

Liya and her father see a jogger has collapsed

How confident do you feel helping someone who is unresponsive and breathing?

Not at all

Totally

Back

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

Liya's dad calls 999 and the jogger has been rolled to his side

Back

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

Back

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

Back

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

Back

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

999 111 101

Back

Try Again

Back

How would we 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.

Back

Try Again

Back

Remember: roll them over and tilt their head back.

How confident do you feel helping someone who is unresponsive and breathing?

Not at all

Totally

Liya's dad calls 999 and they have moved the jogger to lie on his side

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

First aid for someone who is unresponsive and breathing

Liya's father checks to see if the jogger can respond

Step 1

Someone who is unresponsive won’t answer or move if you call their name or tap their shoulders. If it's an adult who is unresponsive gently shake their shoulders.

Liya's father checks if the jogger is breathing

Step 2

Check if they are moving. Tilt their head back - is their chest moving? Can you hear, see or feel them breathing? If the answer is yes, they are breathing.

Liya and her father have rolled the jogger onto his side

Step 3

Roll them onto their side and tilt their head back.

Step 4

Tell an adult and call 999 immediately.

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

Take the quiz

Learn

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

0.4mb