HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
CPR (resuscitation) for adults & children
This page gives simple instructions on what to do if someone over the age of 1 has stopped breathing. If a baby has stopped breathing see the information on CPR for babies.
If anyone else is there, ask them to help.
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It involves pushing on their chest and blowing air into their mouth to try to restart their heart and get them breathing on their own again.
Follow the instructions on this CPR video by St John
Basic resuscitation for an adult – remember DRs, ABCD
D – Dangers |
Check the area is safe before you approach. If it's not safe, don't continue. Wait for help. |
R – Responsive |
Shout "Are you all right? Can you hear me?" and squeeze their shoulder. If they don't respond, continue. If they do respond put them on their side, in the recovery position, and wait with them for help. |
s – Send for help |
If no one has phoned for help yet, ask someone to phone 111. Tell them to let you know when they have. If you are alone, do steps A, B, and C below before calling for help. |
A – Airway |
Open their airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. |
B – Breathing |
Check the person is breathing. If they are place them on their side in the recovery position. If they're not breathing, start CPR. |
C – CPR |
Start CPR. Do 30 compressions followed by two breaths. To do a compression, place your hands in the centre of their chest. Push hard and fast. If you are alone, do 30 compressions, followed by two breaths. Then stop and call 111. |
D – Defibrillator |
If you have a defibrillator (AED) attach it and follow the prompts. If not, continue CPR. You can go to AED Locations to find your nearest defibrillator. You can also download an app from the iTunes store or the Google Play store to have these defibrillator locations on your phone. |
Continue CPR until you get a response or the person starts breathing normally again.
GoodSAM app
St John has a system that can notify a person who knows how to perform CPR and use an AED that someone nearby needs their help. It uses the free GoodSAM app.
If you know how to perform CPR and use an AED, and are prepared to voluntarily respond to a patient suspected to be in cardiac arrest, consider signing up as a responder.
For more information see GoodSAM on St John's website or this poster. Both tell you how to sign up as a responder and download the app.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- St John
- Adult CPR
More detailed advice on resuscitation.
- Child resuscitation
Step-by-step information on how to perform CPR on children.
- First aid courses
Find and book a first aid course near you.
- St John CPR mobile application
You can get a free St John CPR mobile application from the iTunes store, the Google Play store, or WindowsPhone.com.
- Adult CPR
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2018.
SourceReview key: HIFAD-141030
