Resuscitation - adult Knowing how to perform resuscitation could save somebody's life.

What is it?

This technique is for an adult casualty who is unresponsive and isn't breathing normally.

If you're on your own, call an ambulance before you start resuscitation.

Actions

Check for vital signs

• Check for response - gently shake casualty's shoulder and ask if they're all right
• If there's no response, shout for help and open casualty's airway
• Check for breathing - look for chest movement, listen for sounds of breathing and feel for casualty's breath on your cheek
• Do this for ten seconds
• Give chest compressions

Giving chest compressions

• Place your hands on centre of casualty's chest and, with the heel of your hands (which should be linked one over the other), press down 30 times
• Depress chest to a third of its depth (4-5cm)
• Do this at a rate of 100 times a minute
• After performing 30 chest compressions, tilt casualty's head and lift their chin
• Give two rescue breaths

Further action

Continue this sequence until emergency help arrives or the casualty starts to show some response.

See resuscitating babies or resuscitating children if the casualty is not an adult.

This article was reviewed by the British Red Cross in April 2007.