At an incident, a casualty isn’t breathing. What should you do while helping them to start breathing again?

A: Tilt their head back gently

B: Roll them onto their side

C: Put their arms across their chest

D: Shake them firmly

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A: Tilt their head back gently.

What to Do If a Casualty Isn’t Breathing: A Step-by-Step Guide

In emergency situations where a casualty isn’t breathing, acting quickly and correctly can save lives. Feeling overwhelmed is natural, but having a clear plan makes all the difference. Time is critical, and immediate action helps improve survival chances. First, assess the situation, ensuring the area is safe for both the casualty and the rescuer. Once the area is secure, check if the person is truly not breathing, then begin efforts to restore breathing. Managing the airway and performing rescue breathing or CPR are crucial. While taking these steps, it’s also essential to call emergency services immediately for professional assistance.

Time is of the essence—delays can worsen outcomes.
Checking the scene for hazards ensures you don’t put yourself in danger.
Always call for professional help while administering aid.
Simple actions like opening the airway can restore breathing.
Being prepared reduces panic and ensures correct action.

Assessing the Situation

Survey the Scene for Safety

Before jumping in to help a casualty who isn’t breathing, it’s vital to survey the scene for potential dangers. For example, a car crash could have live traffic, or an electrical injury might leave exposed wires. Ensure the area is safe for both the casualty and yourself. If there are immediate hazards, you may need to clear the area or take extra precautions, such as turning off power sources or alerting oncoming vehicles. Never put yourself in a dangerous situation, as becoming a second casualty will hinder the overall rescue effort.

Check for hazards like traffic, fire, or water.
Ensure there’s no danger from unstable structures or electrical sources.
If the area is unsafe, take precautions or move the casualty.
Staying aware of your surroundings helps you act safely and efficiently.

Check the Casualty’s Condition

Once the scene is deemed safe, it’s time to check the casualty’s condition. Approach them carefully, call out their name (if you know it), or give clear verbal commands like “Can you hear me?” Gently shake their shoulders to check for responsiveness. If the person does not respond or make any movements, it’s a sign that their condition may be critical. Next, assess their breathing by observing chest movements, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for breath on your cheek.

Ensure the casualty is unresponsive before taking further action.
Look for signs of life: moving, breathing, or any noise.
Shaking gently avoids causing further injury.
Observe chest movements or place your ear close to their mouth.

Immediate Steps to Help a Casualty Start Breathing

Tilt Their Head Back Gently

If the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing, the first thing to do is gently tilt their head back. This opens the airway, which could be blocked by the tongue or other obstructions. Place one hand on their forehead and two fingers under the chin, gently lifting their head back. Avoid excessive force to prevent neck injury. This simple movement can restore breathing if the airway was obstructed. Keep the head in this position while checking for signs of breathing.

Opening the airway is the first step in restoring breathing.
Tilt the head gently to avoid further injury, especially in cases of trauma.
Keeping the airway open allows air to pass through more easily.
This step is crucial before moving on to rescue breaths.

Look, Listen, and Feel for Breathing

After tilting the head back, you need to check if the casualty is breathing. Spend about 10 seconds using the “look, listen, and feel” method. Look for chest movements indicating airflow, listen for breathing sounds, and feel for air against your cheek. If none of these signs are present, the person isn’t breathing, and you need to move on to the next step. If they are breathing, continue monitoring them while keeping their airway open until medical help arrives.

Look for chest rising and falling.
Listen for breath sounds near their mouth or nose.
Feel for airflow on your cheek to confirm breathing.
This quick check ensures you provide the correct assistance.

What to Do If the Casualty Isn’t Breathing

Begin Rescue Breathing

If the casualty isn’t breathing after the head tilt, it’s time to begin rescue breathing. Pinch their nose to close the nostrils and cover their mouth with yours, creating a seal. Blow two breaths into their mouth, watching for the chest to rise. This ensures that air is entering their lungs. If the chest doesn’t rise, reposition the head and try again. Rescue breaths provide oxygen to the body and are a critical step in restarting the respiratory system.

Pinch the nose to prevent air from escaping.
Create a tight seal around their mouth for effective breathing.
Blow gently, watching for the chest to rise.
If the chest doesn’t rise, adjust the head position.

Perform CPR if Necessary

If the casualty remains unresponsive and isn’t breathing after rescue breaths, start CPR immediately. Begin chest compressions by placing the heel of your hand on the center of the casualty’s chest. Push down hard and fast, about two inches deep, at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Alternate 30 compressions with two rescue breaths. Continue CPR until the casualty begins breathing or emergency services arrive. CPR keeps oxygen circulating through the body and is essential for survival.

Position your hands correctly to ensure effective compressions.
Push hard and fast—don’t worry about hurting them.
Keep a steady rhythm with 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
Never stop CPR until professional help takes over.

Steps While Helping Someone Breathe Again

Monitor the Casualty’s Response

After performing chest compressions and rescue breathing, continuously monitor the casualty’s response. Every 30 compressions, check to see if they have started breathing on their own. Signs of breathing include chest movement, coughing, or any signs of life. If they begin breathing, stop compressions but keep the airway open. Continue to monitor them while awaiting professional help. If they stop breathing again, resume CPR immediately.

Check for signs of life after every round of compressions.
Be alert to any changes in their condition, such as coughing or gasping.
Keep the airway open even if breathing returns.
If breathing stops again, don’t hesitate to restart CPR.

Keep the Airway Open

While waiting for emergency responders, it’s crucial to maintain an open airway. Continue to tilt the casualty’s head back and ensure their tongue isn’t blocking the airway. You can also consider placing them in the recovery position if they show signs of recovery, which keeps the airway clear. Maintaining the airway ensures continuous oxygen flow and reduces the chances of further complications while you wait for professional assistance.

Keeping the airway open is crucial for continuous breathing.
The recovery position helps prevent choking if the casualty starts breathing.
Regularly check for blockages in the airway.
Don’t stop monitoring the airway until medical help arrives.

When to Stop Giving Aid

Signs of Recovery

Knowing when to stop giving CPR or rescue breathing is just as important as knowing when to start. Signs of recovery include the casualty starting to breathe on their own, coughing, or showing movement. Once these signs appear, stop CPR and monitor them closely. You can place them in the recovery position, which ensures their airway remains open while protecting them from choking.

Watch for movement, coughing, or chest rise.
Stop CPR if they start breathing and maintain their airway.
The recovery position prevents choking if they vomit.
Monitor them continuously until emergency help arrives.

Hand Over to Medical Professionals

Once emergency services arrive, it’s time to hand over responsibility to them. Inform them of the casualty’s condition, what steps you’ve taken, and how long you’ve been performing CPR or rescue breaths. Professional responders will take over care, but the information you provide is critical for their treatment plan. After they arrive, follow any additional instructions they give, but your role in the emergency should end at this point.

Provide clear and concise information about the casualty’s condition.
Tell them what actions you’ve taken to assist.
Professional responders need your input to make fast decisions.
Be prepared to follow any further instructions they provide.

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Key Considerations When a Casualty Isn’t Breathing

What to Do If You Are Alone

If you find yourself alone in an emergency situation with a casualty who isn’t breathing, your priority should be calling emergency services before administering aid. Place the call on speakerphone and follow instructions from the operator while performing CPR or rescue breathing. If possible, ask bystanders for assistance. Being alone can make the situation more stressful, but focusing on the steps you need to take will help you manage the crisis.

Always call for help first before starting CPR if you’re alone.
Use speakerphone to continue compressions while talking to emergency services.
Ask for help if any bystanders are around.
Stay calm and focus on one step at a time.

Special Circumstances

In some situations, special circumstances might affect how you respond to a casualty who isn’t breathing. For instance, if the person’s airway is blocked by an object, you must first clear the obstruction before starting rescue breaths. In the case of infants or children, the force of compressions and breaths needs to be gentler due to their smaller size and more fragile bodies. Adapting to these circumstances ensures you’re giving the best possible care.

Check for an obstructed airway and clear it if possible.
For children and infants, use gentler compressions and breaths.
In trauma cases, be careful with head tilts to avoid neck injury.
Always adjust your technique based on the specific situation.

Conclusion About At an incident, a casualty isn’t breathing. What should you do while helping them to start breathing again?

In an emergency situation where a casualty isn’t breathing, swift action and a clear approach can make all the difference. Following the steps outlined—from assessing the scene for safety to performing rescue breathing and CPR—ensures you provide the best possible care while waiting for professional help. Knowing when to continue aid and when to stop, such as when the casualty begins to breathe again or when medical professionals arrive, is equally important. Every second counts in these scenarios, so being prepared and knowledgeable can save lives. Always remember to stay calm, call for help, and focus on the critical steps to help someone breathe again.

Stay calm and assess the scene for safety first.
Use clear, step-by-step actions like opening the airway and checking for breathing.
Perform CPR and rescue breaths until professional help arrives.
Knowing when to stop and hand over to medical responders is vital.
In special circumstances, adjust your response to the casualty’s needs.

With practice and understanding, anyone can be equipped to handle this life-saving situation effectively.