First aid basics

CPR

For someone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

1. Call 111, or get someone else to. Send someone for a defibrillator (AED) if there's one nearby.
2. Put the heel of your hand on the centre of their chest, with your other hand on top.
3. Push down hard, about a third of the depth of the chest, and let it come back up.
4. Keep going at 100 to 120 pushes a minute without stopping.
5. When the AED arrives, turn it on and follow its instructions.

Recovery position

For someone who is unconscious but breathing normally.

1. Roll them onto their side.
2. Tilt their head back slightly so their airway stays open.
3. Bend their top knee so they don't roll forward.
4. Stay with them and keep checking their breathing.

Choking

1. If they can cough, encourage them to keep coughing.
2. If they can't cough or breathe, call 111. Give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
3. If that doesn't work, give up to 5 chest thrusts.
4. Keep alternating. If they become unresponsive, start CPR.

Heavy bleeding

• Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth and keep pressing.
• If blood soaks through, add more cloth on top. Don't lift the first one.
• Don't pull out anything stuck in the wound. Press around it instead.

Burns

• Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes.
• Take off rings, watches, and anything tight before it swells, unless it's stuck.
• Cover loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy dressing.
• Don't use ice, butter, or creams.

Stroke: think FAST

F

Face drooping on one side

A

Arm weak or can't lift it

S

Speech slurred or confused

T

Time to call 111

Heart attack

• Signs include chest pain or pressure, pain in the arm, jaw, or back, sweating, and feeling sick.
• Call 111 straight away. Sit them down and keep them calm.
• Follow what the 111 call taker tells you to do.