CPR on adults
If you have been trained in CPR, including rescue breaths, and feel confident using your skills, you should give chest compressions with rescue breaths.
If you're not completely confident, attempt hands-only CPR instead.
Hands-only CPR
To carry out a chest compression:
Kneel next to the person and place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of their chest. Place the palm of your other hand on top of the hand that's on their chest and interlock your fingers.
Position yourself so your shoulders are directly above your hands.
Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5 to 6cm (2 to 2.5 inches) on their chest.
Keeping your hands on their chest, release the compression and allow their chest to return to its original position.
Repeat these compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times a minute until an ambulance arrives or for as long as you can.
CPR with rescue breaths
Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the person's chest, then place the palm of your other hand on top and press down by 5 to 6cm (2 to 2.5 inches) at a steady rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute.
After every 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths.
Tilt the person's head gently and lift the chin up with 2 fingers. Pinch the person's nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth for about 1 second. Check that their chest rises. Give 2 rescue breaths.
Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.