How to do CPR

A CPR manikin on its back on the ground, with the knees of two people on either side

If you see someone has collapsed, their heart may have suddenly stopped beating, and their breathing may be abnormal or has stopped. You need to act fast so they can have the best chance of survival. Without quick action, the person will die.

How to do CPR

To learn how to perform CPR, watch our short animation video below. We also have versions of this animation in a range of language translations.

A step-by-step guide to doing CPR

By developing the skills and confidence to follow these simple steps, you could be a lifesaver in an emergency.

Before you approach the person who has collapsed, check your surroundings for danger.

1. Shout for help

Shout for help and gently shake the person who has collapsed.

2. Look and listen for signs of normal breathing

Look for the rise and fall of their chest.

3. Call 999

Put the phone on loudspeaker and tell them you are with someone who is not breathing.

4. Start chest compressions

Interlock your fingers
Place your hands in the centre of the chest
Push down hard and then release twice per second, and don’t stop

The ambulance call handler will help you.

5. The ambulance call handler will tell you where the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) is. If someone is with you, ask them to fetch it and bring it back.

Do not leave the person if you are on your own.

6. If you have a defibrillator, switch it on and follow the instructions

The defibrillator will tell you exactly what to do. Visit our defibrillator page for more information about defibrillators.

7. Continue CPR

Continue giving CPR until:

the AED asks you to pause while it reanalyses and gives another shock if needed
a paramedic arrives and tells you what to do
the person shows signs of life.

How to give a baby CPR

Check for danger, then immediately follow these steps to give a baby (aged 0-12 months) CPR.

1. Shout for help

Call the baby's name and tap the bottom of their feet to see if they respond. If there's no response, shout for help and check for normal breathing.

2. Look and listen for signs of normal breathing

Open the baby's airway by lifting the chin with two fingers and tilting the head back so that it's in a neutral position (not too close to the chest, and not too arched.)
Look for the rise and fall of their chest, and listen for normal breathing by putting your ear close to the baby's mouth. Do this for no longer than 10 seconds.

3. If they're not breathing, or not breathing normally, call 999

Put the phone on loudspeaker and tell them you are with a baby who is not breathing or not breathing normally.

4. The ambulance call handler will tell you what to do

5. Give five rescue breaths

Cover the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth to create a seal.
Blow into their mouth and nose for one second, just enough to see their chest rise, then release and watch their chest fall.
Repeat this five times.

6. Start two-finger chest compressions

Place the tips of two fingers in the centre of the chest.
Push down about a third of the depth of the chest (4 cm), then release.
Repeat the two-finger chest compressions 30 times, twice per second.
After 30 compressions, give two breaths.
Continue with 30 compressions and two breaths.
The ambulance caller will help you.

7. Continue CPR

Continue giving the baby CPR until the paramedic arrives and tells you what to do, or the baby shows signs of life.

How to give a child CPR

Check for danger, then immediately follow these steps to give a child (aged 1-18) CPR.

1. Shout for help

Call their name and firmly tap them on their shoulders to see if they respond. If there's no response, shout for help and check for normal breathing.

2. Look and listen for signs of normal breathing

Open the child's airway by lifting the chin with two fingers and tilting the head back slightly so it's in the 'sniffing' position.
Look for the rise and fall of their chest, and listen for normal breathing by putting your ear close to their mouth. Do this for no longer than 10 seconds.

3. If they're not breathing, or not breathing normally, call 999

Put the phone on loudspeaker and tell them you are with a child who is not breathing or not breathing normally.

4. The ambulance call handler will tell you what to do

5. Give five rescue breaths

Pinch their nose and cover their mouth with your mouth to create a seal.
Blow into their mouth for one second, just enough to see their chest rise, then release and watch their chest fall.
Repeat this five times.

6. Start chest compressions

Place the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest; for larger children, you may need to use two hands.
Lift your fingers to ensure pressure is not applied over the ribs.
Push down about a third of the depth of the chest (5 cm), then release.
Repeat chest compressions 30 times, twice per second.
After 30 compressions, give two breaths.
Continue with 30 compressions and two breaths.

7. Continue CPR

Continue giving the child CPR until the paramedic arrives and tells you what to do, or the child shows signs of life.

What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

These terms are generally used interchangeably, but they are two different events.

A heart attack occurs when an artery supplying the heart with blood becomes blocked. This usually causes chest pain and leads to damage to some of the muscle of the heart. Some people may also experience neck and jaw pain, and arm pain – for some, this may also feel like indigestion.

A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest, particularly in the early stages, but this is not inevitable. The risk of cardiac arrest, however, emphasises the importance of calling for immediate help if anyone is suspected of having a heart attack so that they can receive treatment to reduce the damage to their heart and reduce the risk of a cardiac arrest occurring.

A cardiac arrest happens when someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, and their breathing is abnormal or has stopped. It is an electrical problem caused by irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias. Death occurs within minutes after the heart stops.

More ways to learn CPR

Children learn about CPR and defibrillation

Restart a Heart

Every year, communities in the UK and worldwide become CPR-ready. Will you join them, and learn CPR on or around October 16?

Teens surround their friend who has had a cardiac arrest

Lifesaver learning

Step inside; save a life. Immerse yourself in realistic cardiac arrest scenarios, where you’ll learn lifesaving CPR skills.

A close up of someone pushing on someone else's chest

Flier - how to do CPR

Download our flier, which shows the simple steps you need to take to perform CPR. Perfect for printing and sharing with friends, family and your wider community.

CPR language resources

Our language fliers and animation videos demonstrate how to do CPR in a range of languages.

Defib Dani

Watch our animation to gain confidence in using a public access defibrillator.

Image of the front cover of Aaron's Heart book

Order your free baby and child CPR book

Order your free baby and child CPR book now and learn the skills to save a child's life.

Additional resources

Publication - CPR, AEDs and the Law: This document aims to clarify, where possible, the obligations and responsibilities of those who attempt resuscitation in anyone suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. It also provides guidance for organisations that are contemplating providing equipment and training for those who might use it.

Publication - A guide to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): This guide provides information about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and how they can be used anywhere, by anyone, to try to save the life of a person who has a cardiac arrest.