If someone is injured in an incident, first check that you and the person who is injured are not in any danger. If you are, make the situation safe. When it's safe to do so, assess the person who is injured and, if necessary, dial 999 for an ambulance. You can then carry out basic first aid. The 3
priorities when dealing with a casualty are commonly referred to as ABC, which stands for: If the person appears unresponsive, ask them loudly if they're OK and if they can open their eyes. If they respond, you can leave them in the position they're
in until help arrives. While you wait, keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response: If there's no response, leave the person in the position they're in and open their airway. If this is
not possible in the position they're in, gently lay them on their back and then try to open their airway. To open the airway, place 1 hand on the person's forehead and gently tilt their head back, lifting the tip of the chin using 2 fingers. This moves the tongue away from the back of the throat. Don't push on the floor of the mouth, as this will push the tongue upwards and obstruct the airway. If you think
the person may have a spinal injury, place your hands on either side of their head and use your fingertips to gently lift the angle of the jaw forward and upwards, without moving the head, to open the airway. Take care not to move the person's neck. But opening the airway takes priority over a neck injury. This is known as the jaw thrust technique. To check if a person is still
breathing: If they're breathing normally, place them in the recovery position so their airway remains clear of
obstructions, and continue to monitor normal breathing. Gasping or irregular breathing is not normal breathing. If the person isn't breathing or is not breathing normally, call 999 for an ambulance and then begin CPR.Assessing an injured person
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
If the person isn't breathing normally, you must start chest compressions immediately.
Agonal breathing is common in the first few minutes after a sudden cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating).
Agonal breathing is sudden, irregular gasps of breath. This shouldn't be mistaken for normal breathing and CPR should be given straight away.
If the person isn't breathing, call 999 for an ambulance and then begin CPR.
First aid courses
The advice given on this page only covers common first aid situations and is not a replacement for taking a first aid training course.
Basic first aid courses are run regularly in most areas around the UK.
Organisations that offer courses include:
- St John Ambulance
- British Red Cross
- NHS Ambulance Service
- St Andrew's First Aid
Page last reviewed: 15 March 2022
Next review due: 15 March 2025
If someone is not moving and does not respond when you call them or gently shake their shoulders, they are unresponsive.
1. Check their breathing by tilting their head back and looking and feeling for breaths. When a person is unresponsive, their muscles relax and their tongue can block their airway so they can no longer breathe. Tilting their head back opens the airway by pulling the tongue
forward. If they are breathing, you will see their chest moving and you may hear their breath or feel it on your cheek. If they are breathing, move on to step two. Find out what to do if they are not breathing.
2. Move them onto their side and tilt their head back.
Putting them in this position with their head back helps keep their airway open. It ensures their tongue falls forward and blood and vomit drain out. It is sometimes called the “recovery position”.
3. Call 999 as soon as possible.
If you can’t call 999, get someone else to do it.
Watch how to help someone who is unresponsive and breathing (1 minute 39 seconds)
Common questions about first aid for someone who is unresponsive and breathing
Is the “recovery position” when you move a person on to their side and tilt their head back?
If I think they have a back or neck injury, should I still turn them on their side?
Should I try talking to someone who is unresponsive and breathing?
What do I do if the unresponsive person’s breathing doesn’t seem normal?
What should I do if someone is feeling faint?
Is the “recovery position” when you move a person on to their side and tilt their head back?
Yes, “recovery position” is commonly used to describe how someone who is unresponsive and breathing should be placed so that their airway stays open and they can continue to breathe.
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If I think they have a back or neck injury, should I still turn them on their side?
Yes, if you suspect a back or neck injury, you should still move them on to their side so they can keep breathing. Try to keep their spine in a straight line when turning them. If possible, get someone to help you turn them.
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Should I try talking to someone who is unresponsive and breathing?
Yes, talk to them and reassure them. Even if they do not respond to you, they may still be able to hear what is going on.
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What do I do if the unresponsive person’s breathing doesn’t seem normal?
Sometimes when a person is unresponsive their breathing may become noisy, irregular or gasping. This is usually a sign that their heart and lungs are not working properly and you should treat them as an unresponsive person who is not breathing.
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What should I do if someone is feeling faint?
If someone is feeling faint, tell them to lie down on their back and raise their legs. This will improve the blood flow to their brain.
Fainting is caused by a temporary reduction in the flow of blood to the brain and can result in them becoming unresponsive for a short time.
A person who has fainted should quickly become responsive again. If they don't, treat them as an unresponsive person.
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Email us if you have any other questions about first aid for someone who is unresponsive and breathing.
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