Your essential guide to first aid

Severe bleeding • Apply direct pressure to the wound with a pad (e.g. a clean cloth) or fingers until a sterile dressing is available • Raise and support the injured limb if possible. Do not raise if you suspect the bone has been broken • Lay the casualty down to treat for shock • Bandage the pad or dressing firmly to control bleeding, but not so tightly that it stops the circulation • Dial 999 for an ambulance • Remember: protect yourself from infection by wearing disposable gloves and covering any wounds on your hands • If blood comes through the dressing do not remove it – bandage another over the original • If blood seeps through both dressings, remove them both and replace with a fresh dressing, applying pressure over the site of bleeding. If someone is unconscious • Check their airway is open and clear • Tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway • Look along the chest, and listen and feel for breaths. If they are not breathing, their heart will stop. CPR must be started immediately • If they are breathing normally and spinal injury is not suspected, put them in the recovery position. If someone is unconscious and not breathing • Check their airway is open and clear, then tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway • Look along the chest, and listen and feel for breaths for 10 seconds. If they are not breathing, their heart will stop. CPR must be started immediately • Call 999 and if available, get an AED (Automated external defibrillator) now and follow the voice prompts • Place one hand on the centre of their chest. Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers to help keep your fingers off the ribs • Lean directly over their chest and press down vertically about 5-6cm (2-2½ inches). Release the pressure, but don't remove your hands • Give 30 compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute • Tilt their head back with one hand and lift the chin with two fingers of your other hand to ensure the airway is open • Pinch their nose to close the nostrils. Take a breath and seal your lips over their mouth and blow gently for one second. Maintaining the head tilt and chin lift, take your mouth away from theirs. Look along the chest and watch it fall. Repeat to give two rescue breaths. Repeat 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths • Continue CPR until emergency help arrives, they start to wake up and breathe normally or you're too exhausted to continue • If you are worried about doing mouth to mouth, using chest compressions only and calling for help can still save someone's life. For more information about St John Ambulance's first aid and AED training courses, please visit www.sja.org.uk or call 0844 324 5535