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.
With regard to the current coronavirus crisis, guidance can be found here. Please always consider your own personal safety first when delivering first aid.
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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What does Dele do to try to get his grandad to wake up and respond to him?
When Dele checks to see if his grandad is breathing, what does he look for?
What is the key action to take if you find someone is unresponsive and not breathing?
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 OverWith regard to the current coronavirus crisis, guidance can be found here. Please always consider your own personal safety first when delivering first aid.
Click here for the video transcript.
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? Can you hear them breathing? Can you feel breaths on your cheek? If the answer is no, they’re not breathing.
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.
Learn
Use these resources to help children learn how to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing.
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Unresponsive and not breathing - learn activity
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Unresponsive and not breathing – learn Powerpoint
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Unresponsive and not breathing - how to help card
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Practise
Use these resources to help children practise helping someone who is unresponsive and not breathing.
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Unresponsive and not breathing – practise role-play card
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First aid skill – practise activity ideas
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Guidance and support for teachers and educators
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