In an emergency the priorities when dealing with a casualty are always the same:

 ( A ) Airway, ( B ) Breathing, ( C ) Circulation

If They are not breathing and you have someone with you, send them to dial 999 for an ambulance immediately. If they are a child and you are on your own, carry out CPR for 1 min before dialling 999 for an ambulance.

Give 5 rescue breaths, Give 30 chest compressions

Age	Rescue Breaths	Compressions
Infant               Less than 1 Yr old	Ensure the airway is open. Seal your lips around the baby’s mouth and nose. Blow gently into the lungs, looking along the chest as you breathe. Fill your cheeks with air and use this amount each time. As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall. Repeat this 5 times.	Place the baby on a firm surface, Locate a position in centre of the chest,Using 2 fingers, press down sharply to a third of the depth of the chest, Press 30 times, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute,After 30 compressions, give 2 Rescue Breath.Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to 2 rescue breath) without stopping until help arrives.
Child 1 to 13 yr old ( for this purpose )	As Above	Place 1 or 2 hands in the centre of the chest (depending on the size of the child. Use the heel of that hand with arms straight and press down to a third of the depth of the chest. Press 30 times, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breath. Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to 2 rescue breath) without stopping until help arrives.
Adult	Call 999 First. DO Not Give Rescue Breath First Start with compressions then followed by 2 rescue Breaths. Ensure the airway is open, Pinch nose firmly closed, Take a deep breath and seal your lips around the casualty’s mouth, Blow into the mouth until the chest rises, Remove your mouth and allow the chest to fall, Repeat once more.	Place heel of your hand in the centre of the chest. Place other hand on top and interlock fingers. Keeping your arms straight and your fingers off the chest, press down by 4-5cms. then release the pressure, keeping your hands in place. Repeat the compressions 30 times, at a rate of 100 per minute.

Do not stop unless: Emergency help arrives and takes over or The casualty breathes normally or You become so exhausted that you cannot carry on.

Primary survey

Danger - You or the casualty in any danger? Make the situation safe first.

Response - If the casualty appears unconscious check this by shouting (Can you hear me),If there is no response Shout for help and proceed.

Airway - Open the airway. Placing one hand on the forehead and gently tilting the head back, then lift the chin using 2 fingers.

Breathing - Look, listen and feel for no more than 10 seconds to see if the casualty is breathing normally. If the casualty is breathing normally , place them in the recovery position.

If the casualty is not breathing normally or  you have any doubt whether breathing is normal begin CPR

The Recovery Position

An unconscious casualty who is breathing but has no other life- threatening conditions should be placed in the recovery position. For a baby less than a year old, a modified recovery position must be adopted. Cradle the infant in your arms, with his head tilted downwards to prevent him from choking on his tongue or inhaling vomit. Monitor and record vital signs - level of response, pulse and breathing until medical help arrives. 

Turn casualty onto their side. Lift chin forward in open airway position and adjust hand under the cheek as necessary. Check casualty cannot roll forwards or backwards. Monitor breathing and pulse continuously. If injuries allow, turn the casualty to the other side after 30 minutes.

Note:  If you suspect spinal injury, use the jaw thrust technique. Place your hands on either side of their face. With your fingertips gently lift the jaw to open the airway. Take care not to tilt the casualty’s neck.

We understand that there is much to learn and that most of us may not even know where to start. We have listed below some simple steps and websites that may be of interest.

 First Aid website click here

It should be you duty to read or learn basic First Aid but if you are in any doubt call your Doctor or 999 in an emergency.