First Aid for Adults
Instructions
CHECK FOR RESPONSIVENESS
- Tap the shoulder and shout, “Are you OK?”
CALL 9-1-1
- whether there's a response or not, immediately call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number
- if you both are alone give two minutes of care before calling 9-1-1
OPEN THE AIRWAY and CHECK FOR BREATHING
- Tilt head back slightly, lift chin
- check breathing for only 10 seconds: gasps are not breathing
QUICKLY SCAN FOR SEVERE BLEEDING
GIVE CARE BASED ON CONDITIONS FOUND
CONSCIOUS CHOKING: CANNOT COUGH, SPEAK OR BREATHE
- Give 5 back blows
- Give 5 quick, upward abdominal thrusts
- Continue sets of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the:
- Object is forced out.
- Person can cough forcefully or breathe.
- Person becomes unconscious.
UNCONSCIOUS CHOKING CHEST DOES NOT RISE WITH RESCUE BREATHS
- Give rescue breaths
- Give 30 chest compressions
- Look for and remove object if seen
- Give rescue breaths
CPR: NO BREATHING
- Give 30 compressions in the middle of the chest at least 2 inches deep and at least 100 compressions per minute
- Give rescue breaths, one after the other
- Continue cycles of CPR. Do not stop CPR except in one of these situations:
- You find an obvious sign of life, such as breathing.
- An AED is ready to use.
- Another trained responder or EMS personnel take over.
- You are too exhausted to continue.
- The scene becomes unsafe.
Extra Tips
- Use disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment whenever giving care.
- Obtain consent from parent or guardian, if present.
- If you witnessed the child or infant suddenly collapse, skip rescue breaths and start CPR.
- If the chest does not rise with rescue breaths, re-tilt the head and give another rescue breath.