Unresponsive and not breathing

How to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing. This means they don’t answer or move if you call their name or shake their shoulders, and they are not 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 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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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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What is the key action to take if you 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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Remember: Get help

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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.

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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

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 no, they are not 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 not breathing, get help. Tell an adult and call 999.

Step 3

Tell the adult to do chest compressions by pushing firmly in the centre of the person’s chest until help arrives.

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

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