CJ checks to see if the unresponsive person can respond

How confident do you feel about helping someone who is unresponsive and not breathing when an AED is available?

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CJ is smiling.

CJ has just finished a weights session at the gym when he spots someone collapsed and unresponsive. CJ steps in to help, asking his sister for support.

CJ is talking to his sister who is smiling.

The gym is my home from home. I was in training for the new athletics season and had just done a pretty tough weights session.

CJ is talking to his sister who is laughing.

My sister had tagged along to go swimming and we were planning on treating ourselves to a cake for all our efforts.

CJ leans from his wheelchair to help someone who is lying on the floor.

We were making our way to the café, when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an older guy suddenly fall to the ground. I did a double take. He really didn’t look good and wasn’t moving.

CJ checks to see if the unresponsive person can respond

No one else seemed to be doing anything and the reception desk was empty. I’d just done first aid as part of my sports course at college and knew someone needed to check if he was OK.

CJ checks to see if the unresponsive person can respond

I shook the guy’s shoulders and started shouting, “Hello, hello, can you hear me?” I didn’t get any response at all.

CJ checks to see if the unresponsive person can respond

I needed to find out if he was breathing. I tilted his head back and looked for breathing. His chest was still. I realised this was a really bad situation for him.

Joy calls 999, while CJ gives chest compressions

Trying not to panic, I shouted at Joy to call 999 and ask for an ambulance. We had to get help on the way as soon as possible.

CJ gives the unresponsive person chest compressions

I started pushing down hard on the centre of the guy’s chest.

Joy rushes over to CJ and the unresponsive person with an AED

I asked Joy to look for an AED. They are usually available in gyms and public places and anyone can use them. Getting one would give us the best chance of keeping him going until the ambulance arrived.

Joy gestures to CJ to stay back while she uses the AED

Joy wasn’t sure what to do, but I told her to just open the AED case. AEDs tell you what to do. We just needed to follow its instructions. We stayed with him until the staff came to help. Pushing on his chest was really hard work but worth it.

Joy gestures to CJ to stay back while she uses the AED

It was a really scary situation but I’m pretty proud of how I acted, staying calm and remembering what I’d learned.

CJ stepped in and helped someone in a really serious situation. How did they react when they saw someone unresponsive and not breathing?

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are machines that can shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. Who can use an AED?

Anyone Only staff where an AED is kept Only medically trained people
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If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, what is the key action we can take while we wait for help to arrive?

Chest compressions Turn the person on their side Keep them warm
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Watch this animation to see how the key action works

CJ gives the unresponsive person chest compressions
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CJ checks to see if the unresponsive person can respond

How confident do you feel about helping someone who is unresponsive and not breathing when an AED is available?

0
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Totally
CJ and Joy use an AED on a person who is unresponsive

Take action: If someone is unresponsive and not breathing and an AED is available, give chest compressions. Open the AED and follow the voice prompts.

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