CPR is one of the most important emergency first aid skills. It can help maintain blood flow and oxygen supply when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
This guide explains what CPR is, when it may be needed, the difference between adult, child and baby CPR, and why quick action can be critical in an emergency.
The information below is general guidance and does not replace practical first aid training or instructions from emergency services.
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
It is used when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. CPR helps keep blood circulating around the body until emergency services arrive.
The brain and other vital organs need a continuous supply of oxygen-rich blood. When normal breathing stops or the heart is no longer circulating blood effectively, oxygen levels can fall quickly.
Early CPR can help:
Response time is important. See Why Response Time Matters in First Aid.
These terms are often confused, but they are not the same thing.
| Term | What it means | First aid relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac arrest | The heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively | CPR may be needed immediately |
| Heart attack | Blood flow to part of the heart is blocked | Call 999 if suspected |
| CPR | An emergency technique used when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally | Helps maintain circulation until help arrives |
A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but not all heart attacks result in cardiac arrest. See First Aid for Chest Pain and Suspected Heart Attack.
CPR may be needed if a person:
If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 immediately and follow the instructions provided by the emergency operator.
See First Aid for an Unconscious Person.
A commonly taught emergency approach is DRSABCD. This provides a simple structure for responding to a serious emergency.
| Step | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| D | Danger | Check that the area is safe for you, the casualty and others nearby. |
| R | Response | Check whether the person responds to voice or gentle touch. |
| S | Send for help | Call 999 or ask someone nearby to call. |
| A | Airway | Open the airway according to your first aid training or operator guidance. |
| B | Breathing | Check whether the person is breathing normally. |
| C | CPR | Start CPR if the person is not breathing normally. |
| D | Defibrillator | Use an AED if one is available. |
Emergency call handlers can provide guidance while help is on the way. See How to Call Emergency Services from the Workplace.
Adult CPR focuses on maintaining circulation until emergency services arrive.
The exact technique should be learned through recognised first aid training, but the general response involves:
If you are not trained or do not feel able to give rescue breaths, emergency services may guide you through chest-compression-only CPR.
Child CPR follows the same principle as adult CPR, but the technique is adapted to the child’s size.
Children may stop breathing for different reasons than adults, so rescue breaths are particularly important where the first aider is trained and able to give them.
If you are unsure what to do, call 999 and follow the operator’s instructions.
Babies under one year old require a different CPR technique because their bodies are much smaller and more delicate.
Baby CPR should be learned through recognised practical first aid training. If a baby is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 immediately and follow emergency instructions.
| Casualty | CPR approach | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Standard adult CPR technique | Cardiac causes are more common. |
| Child | Modified technique based on body size | Breathing problems may play a larger role. |
| Baby | Special infant CPR technique | Requires significantly gentler actions. |
Many people worry about CPR because they are unsure about rescue breaths. In an emergency, chest compressions alone are often far better than doing nothing.
999 call handlers may guide members of the public through hands-only CPR until emergency services arrive.
If you are untrained or unwilling to provide rescue breaths, continue chest compressions and follow the instructions provided by the emergency operator.
An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a device designed to analyse a person’s heart rhythm and determine whether a shock is needed.
AEDs are increasingly available in:
Modern AEDs provide clear spoken instructions and are designed for use by members of the public.
CPR and AEDs work together. CPR helps maintain circulation, while an AED may help restore a suitable heart rhythm in some emergencies.
Call 999 immediately if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Emergency operators can provide CPR instructions over the phone while help is on the way.
See When to Call 999 vs 111 vs GP.
Employers should consider CPR awareness as part of wider first aid planning, especially where there are higher risks, larger teams or public-facing environments.
Workplace planning should consider:
See Workplace Emergency Response Plan and First Aid Training Requirements.
In a genuine emergency, calling 999 and following operator instructions is the most important first step.
CPR is a practical skill. Reading guidance can improve awareness, but practical training helps people build confidence and technique.
Training may help individuals:
CPR is one of the most valuable first aid skills a person can learn. It can help maintain circulation and oxygen delivery when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
While CPR techniques differ for adults, children and babies, the principle remains the same: supporting the casualty until professional help arrives. Recognising an emergency quickly, calling 999 and acting promptly can all play an important role in improving outcomes.
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