How to Perform First Aid on an Unresponsive Person

When you come across someone who isn't responsive, before you do anything you need to assess is it safe to approach, is the person breathing or bleeding. To do so, use the Primary Survey as your method to assess the person. 

Primary Survey  (DR ABC)

Follow the steps below:

Danger

Before approaching the casualty, always make sure the area is safe. 

Response

Check if the casualty is responsive or unresponsive. As you approach them, introduce yourself and ask them questions to see if you can get a response. Kneel next to their chest and gently shake their shoulders, asking, "What has happened?", "Open your eyes!" Do not place your face close to the casualty’s face when doing this. 

If the casualty opens their eyes, or gives another gesture, they are responsive. 

If they do not respond to you in any way they are unresponsive and should be treated as quickly as possible. 

Airway

Check their airway is open and clear.

Staying at arm’s length of the casualty. Open the airway by placing one hand on the forehead to tilt the head back and use two fingers from the other hand to lift the chin. 

Breathing 

Check casualty is breathing normally.

You now need to check if the casualty is breathing normally. Do not place your ear above their mouth to look, listen or feel for breathing. Simply look for a rise and fall of the chest instead. 

If they are unresponsive and not breathing, you need to call 999/112 for emergency help and start CPR straight away. Ask a helper to find and bring a defibrillator (AED). 

If they are responsive and breathing move on to circulation. 

Circulation 

Check for severe bleeding.

Once you have established they are breathing, look and check for any signs of severe bleeding. 

If they are bleeding severely you will need to control and treat the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. Call 999/112 for emergency help. 

If they are unresponsive and breathing but with no bleeding, put them in the recovery position and call 999/112 for emergency help. 

You can download our digital first aid guide which contains this information as well as other lifesaving first aid information.