If a casualty loses consciousness, the tongue may fall back into the throat and block the passage of air from the mouth and nose into the lungs. Ensuring the airway is open is vital to the casualty's survival.
Actions
Place one hand on casualty's forehead and gently tilt back their head and lift the chin
Keeping the airway open, check for breathing - look, listen and feel for breathing
Look for chest movement, listen for sound and feel for breath on your cheek
Do this for no more than ten seconds
If the casualty is breathing
Bring the casualty's far arm across their chest
Hold back of casualty's hand against opposite cheek
With your other hand, pull up the far leg just above the knee, keeping the foot on the ground
Keeping the casualty's hand pressed against their cheek, pull on the far leg and roll the casualty towards you and on to their side
Adjust upper leg so both hip and knee are bent at right angles
If the casualty isn't breathing
Call 999 and give resuscitation until casualty starts breathing again or expert medical help arrives
This article was reviewed by the British Red Cross in April 2007.
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