IThe moment a motionless person is seen, it is necessary to test the person ‘s sensitivity by shaking the body slightly and giving small blows. Immediately afterwards, it is important to get active and call the local emergency number, usually 118.
Only after calling the ambulance, turn the victim on his back. If you think he or she has a neck injury, turn the victim over only if necessary and only after stabilizing the neck. Bend the victim’s head back, lift his chin with one hand and push his forehead down with the other hand. If an injury is suspected, it is best to lift the chin without bending the head.
If air does not enter in this way, tilt the head gently until it does. It is necessary to check the victim’s breathing by resting the ear on the mouth and nose of the person in question. Check the lifting and lowering movement of the chest and listen for breathing.
Practice mouth-to-mouth respiration. Keep head bent, chin raised and nose closed. Take a deep breath and keep the lips pressed against the victim’s mouth. In this way practice two breaths, 2 seconds each, and catch your breath. At this point you need to observe the lifting of the chest to see if air is entering the lungs. If these two breaths were not enough, fold your head back and try two more times. If mouth-to-mouth respiration is not effective, suffocation should be suspected and then other procedures should be implemented.
Check the pulse. If the latter is present, practice artificial respiration every 5-6 seconds. Stop every minute and check the pulse.
If the pulse is absent give CPR. It is necessary to find the correct hand position by sliding the fingers along the edge of the rib cage to the costo-sternal groove. Place the middle finger of the groove with the index finger next to it and the bottom of the palm of the other hand on the sternum. Then remove the hand from the groove, place it on the other hand, and interlace the fingers. At this point give 15 compressions, keeping the shoulders perpendicular to the hands on the chest. Count while compressing and have two short breaths follow the compressions. Continue in this way until the victim revives or until the ambulance arrives.
Source: Mediserve’s Pocket Guide to First Aid.
