Unresponsive and not breathing

Learning objectives

Learn how to recognise when someone is unresponsive and not breathing
Learn the key action to help when someone is unresponsive and not 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 not 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

Dele sees his grandfather has collapsed on the floor

How confident do you feel to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing?

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You can watch this film to find out how to help someone who is unresponsive and not 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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How do you think Dele felt when he started helping his Grandad?

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What does Dele do to try to get his grandad to wake up and respond to him?

Calls out to his grandad. Shakes his grandad’s shoulders. Both of these.

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Try Again

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When Dele checks to see if his grandad is breathing, what does he look for?

If his grandad’s legs are moving. If his grandad’s eyes are moving. If his grandad’s chest is moving.

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Try Again

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What is the key action to take if we find someone is unresponsive and not breathing?

Get help: tell an adult and call 999. Move them onto their side and tilt their head back. Keep them warm: cover them with blankets or coats.

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Try Again

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Dele calls 999 and his father give chest compressions

Remember: Get help

How confident do you feel to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing?

Not at all

Totally

I feel confident to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing.

Take action: if someone is unresponsive and not breathing, roll them over and tilt their head back.

Start Over

Click on the link below to read the video transcript.

Unresponsive and not 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 not breathing

Dele checks to see if his grandfather 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.

Dele checks to see if his grandfather is breathing

Step 2

Check if they breathing. Tilt their head back - Is their chest moving? Can you hear, see or feel them breathing? If the answer is no, they are not breathing.

Step 3

Tell an adult and call 999 immediately.

Step 4

Give chest compressions by pushing firmly in the middle of their chest up and down.

Push the chest hard and fast at a regular rate until help arrives, or tell an adult to do so.

Think you know how to help someone who is unresponsive and not 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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