Not Breathing / Unconscious (Cardiac Arrest)
Unresponsive and not breathing normally. Start CPR.
RECOGNIZE
- The person does not respond when you shout and tap their shoulders.
- They are not breathing, or breathing is not normal.
- Only occasional gasping sounds — gasping is NOT normal breathing.
- Sudden collapse with no movement.
CALL
- Call 112 immediately for anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
- Put your phone on speaker so you can keep your hands free for CPR.
- Send another person to bring an AED if one is available nearby.
DO NOW
- 1CHECK THE SCENEMake sure it is safe for you to approach.
- 2CHECK RESPONSIVENESSTap the shoulders firmly and shout: 'Are you okay?'
- 3CHECK BREATHINGLook at the chest for up to 10 seconds. Gasping is not normal breathing.
- 4CALL 112 NOWCall 112 on speaker and ask someone to fetch an AED.
- 5START CPRPush hard and fast in the centre of the chest, 100–120 pushes each minute.
- 6PUSH DEEP ENOUGHPress down at least 5 cm, and do not go deeper than about 6 cm.
- 7LET THE CHEST COME BACK UPAllow the chest to fully recoil between every push.
- 8USE THE AED AS SOON AS IT ARRIVESSwitch it on and follow its voice prompts exactly.
- 9KEEP GOINGContinue until the person breathes normally or trained responders take over.
DO NOT DO
- Do not use 'cough CPR' — it is not a valid treatment for a collapsed person.
- Do not stop to check the pulse repeatedly — minimise interruptions to compressions.
- Do not delay CPR while searching for an AED if you are alone.
- Do not give anything by mouth.
- Do not shake or move the person unnecessarily beyond what CPR requires.
WHILE WAITING FOR HELP
- Keep doing chest compressions with as few pauses as possible.
- Swap with another rescuer roughly every 2 minutes if someone else can help — fatigue reduces quality.
- Keep the phone on speaker; the 112 dispatcher can coach you.
- Clear a path so the ambulance crew can reach the person quickly.
WHEN TO ESCALATE
- If the person starts breathing normally, stop CPR and place them in the recovery position, then keep watching their breathing.
- If breathing stops again, restart CPR immediately.
AFTERCARE
- Anyone who has had a cardiac arrest needs hospital assessment even if they wake up.
- Tell the ambulance crew when the collapse happened and when CPR started.
- Bystander CPR is physically and emotionally hard — seek support afterwards.
Special cases
Hands-only CPR (untrained or unwilling to give breaths)
- For a sudden adult collapse, chest compressions alone are recommended if you are untrained or unwilling to give rescue breaths.
- Do not stop to learn breaths — continuous compressions matter most.
CPR with breaths (trained and willing)
- Give 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, then repeat.
- Tilt the head back, lift the chin, and give each breath over about 1 second so the chest visibly rises.
- If breaths do not go in, reposition the head and continue compressions — do not delay compressions.
Child and infant
- Children and infants need age-specific technique. Open the Child & Infant CPR guide.
- Cardiac arrest in children is often caused by breathing problems, so breaths are especially important when you are trained and willing.
CPR rhythm · 110 per minute
Push hard in the centre of the chest. At least 5 cm deep, not more than about 6 cm. Let the chest come fully back up each time.
Keep going until the person breathes normally or trained responders take over.
MEDICAL SOURCES
American Heart Association
Guidelines for CPR and ECC — Basic Life Support / First Aid
Published / updated 2020 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
Open sourceILCOR
International Consensus on CPR Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR)
Published / updated 2023 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
Open sourceEuropean Resuscitation Council
ERC Guidelines — Basic Life Support and First Aid
Published / updated 2021 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
Open sourceMinistry of Home Affairs, Government of India
Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) — 112 pan-India emergency number
Published / updated 2019 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
Open source
This content is educational first-aid guidance and does not replace emergency medical care. Guidelines can change. Verify clinical guidance periodically.