Unresponsive and not breathing when an AED is available: learn first aid

Adult first aid for someone who in unresponsive and not breathing when there is an AED available, including how to check for breathing and what to do in an emergency.

Someone who is unresponsive won't answer or move if you call their name or tap their shoulders. If it's an adult who is unresponsive, gently shake their shoulders. Shout for help.

1. Check if they are breathing. Tilt their head back - is their chest moving? Look, listen and feel for breaths.

Do this for no more than ten seconds.

When a person is unresponsive, their muscles relax and their tongue can block their airway so they can no longer breathe. Tilting their head back opens the airway by moving the tongue forward.

If they are not breathing, their chest and stomach will not be moving and you will not hear or feel their breaths.

Find out what to do if they are breathing.

A man tilts up the chin and listens for breaths (1)

Watch this short animation to see how to tilt someone's head back.

2. If they are not breathing call 999.

3. Tell someone to get an AED as soon as possible.

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator (defib). It is a machine that can correct an abnormal heart rhythm by giving an electric shock. AEDs can be found in many public places.

A man performs chest compressions on a dummy while telling someone else to get an AED

4. Give chest compressions by pushing firmly in the middle of the chest up and down. Push the chest hard and fast at a regular rate of 2 pushes per second.

Chest compressions help blood continue pumping around the body. This keeps vital organs alive, including the brain. Many people call this CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Watch this short animation to see chest compressions in action.

5. When the AED arrives open it and follow the voice prompts.

Watch Josh's story to learn how to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing when an AED is available

Meet Josh, a chef who used his first aid training to help someone who was unresponsive and not breathing in a restaurant. Skip to 0:53 seconds for the first aid steps.

Frequently asked questions about helping someone who is unresponsive and not breathing when an AED is available

What is an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)?

An AED is a portable machine that can shock the heart back into normal rhythm. You can find them in many public places, such as train stations, shopping centres or schools.

Who can use an AED?

Anyone can use an AED.

The AED will only shock someone if needed – it would never shock a healthy heart. The AED will give you instructions on how to help someone if a shock is not needed.

Where can I find an AED?

AEDs are available in many public places, such as train stations, shopping centres or schools.

Will using an AED restart a person’s heart?

If the AED delivers a shock to the person, it doesn’t always mean that their heart will restart.

The machine will detect whether the person’s heart has restarted and give you further instructions if it hasn’t. This means you may need to resume chest compressions.

Continue to follow the AED voice prompts until help arrives.

If I am alone, should I leave the person to get an AED?

No, call 999 and start chest compressions.

Your priority is to pump blood around the person’s body until help arrives. Call out for help and if another person arrives before the ambulance, tell them to get an AED as quickly as possible.

If an AED isn’t immediately available, how do I help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing?

You need to act in the same way: call 999 and give chest compressions until help arrives.

Find out more about how to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing when an AED is not available.

Is it easy to use an AED?

Yes. The AED voice prompts will tell you what to do. You will be able to use an AED even if you have never used one before.

Can I use an AED on a baby or child?

An AED can be used on anyone aged over a year old, but adaptations are needed when using an AED on a child.

For children aged one to eight years old, paediatric pads should be used. If paediatric pads are not available, use the standard ones, but place one pad in the centre of the child’s chest and the other one in the centre of the child’s back. Never use an AED on a baby under one year old.

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