First Aid for Adults
What You Need to Know
FIRST, MAKE SURE THEY REALLY NEED YOUR HELP
It is important that you know a person really does need your help before you do something that, in trying to save them, actually injures them unnecessarily. Tap their shoulder and shout "Are you ok?" then wait for a response. If there is no response, call 9-1-1 and then start CPR if they are not breathing
IF THEY ARE CHOKING, ALTERNATE BETWEEN BACK BLOWS AND ABDOMINAL THRUSTS
If an adult is choking, it is important to alternate between these two steps. First, bend the person forward at their waist and give 5 blows to their back with the heel of one hand. Then, place your fist in the middle of their abdomen, cover it with the other hand, and pull in and up 5 times. Repeat the process.
IF AN ADULT IS UNCONSCIOUS WHILE CHOKING, GIVE CPR FIRST
If the choking adult is unconscious while they are choking, first give them 2 rescue breaths, then 30 chest compressions. After this, look in their throat and see if you can find the object that is blocking the airway, and remove it if you can see it. If not, give two more rescue breaths and continue until they begin to breathe.
HOW TO: CHEST COMPRESSIONS
It is important to give chest compressions hard and fast. You need to compress the chest at least 2 inches. In addition, go at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. Give 30 chest compressions, then move onto rescue breaths.
HOW TO: RESCUE BREATHS
Tilt the victim's head back and life their chin to open up their airway. Pinch their nose shut and make a complete seal over the person's mouth. Blow for about 1 second, so the chest can clearly rise. Then do it once more. It is important to give 2 rescue breaths and then move back to compressions immediately.