Check for Danger
The most important part of Basic Life Support is the safety of the rescuer - you won't help the situation by becoming a casualty yourself! The first thing that you must do is assess the safety of the scene and whether it is safe for you to approach. Remember to look out for things such as water, electric cables and falling masonry!
Check Response
Once you have established that it is safe to approach the casualty, you must find out if they are unconscious. Do this by the "Shake and Shout" method - that is by saying loudly "Hello, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes for me?" Then you must shake them gently by the shoulders in case they cannot hear you. It is important to give them a direct command in case they cannot speak.
Shout for help
It is important that help arrives as soon as possible - It can be used to call an ambulance or help you roll the casualty.
Open the Airway
The most important action you can do for a casualty is open their airway. Whilst someone is unconscious, their tongue may fall backwards into the throat and block their airway. To open the airway you must first place your hand on their forehead and then tilt the head backwards. This will lift the tongue off the back of the throat. This is called the Head Tilt. Next you must place two fingers below the chin and lift it. This allows you to open the mouth and look in the airway for any obstructions. This is called the Chin Lift.
Check Breathing
Once the airway has been opened, you must assess whether the casualty is breathing or not. To do this you must "Look, Listen and Feel" for breaths. Whilst maintaining the airway you must hold your cheek near to the casualty's mouth and nose, and look at their chest. Look to see if their chest is rising and falling. Listen for any breaths sounds. Feel for breaths against your cheek. You must do this for 10 seconds.
Call Ambulance
Once you have established that the casualty is not breathing, it is important to call an...