The first few minutes after an injury or medical emergency are often the most critical. Professional medical help may be minutes away, but the gap between collapse and the ambulance's arrival is when bystanders can make the difference between life and death. These five skills require no equipment and no medical degree — just the willingness to act.
1. CPR — Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
If someone collapses and is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately. Place the heel of your hand on the centre of their chest and press down hard and fast — aim for 100 to 120 compressions per minute, each about 5 cm deep. If you are trained in rescue breathing, give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions. If you are not, hands-only CPR is still highly effective. Do not stop until help arrives or the person regains consciousness.
2. Controlling Severe Bleeding
Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, bandage, or — if nothing else is available — your hand. Maintain steady pressure without lifting the cloth; if it soaks through, add more material on top. Elevate the injured limb above heart level if possible. For deep wounds on a limb that will not stop bleeding, a tourniquet applied 5 cm above the wound and tightened until bleeding stops can save a life. Record the exact time the tourniquet was applied.
3. Recovery Position
If someone is unconscious but breathing, the recovery position prevents them from choking on vomit or saliva. Kneel beside them, place their nearer arm at a right angle, bring their far arm across their chest with the back of their hand against their cheek, then pull their far knee up and gently roll them toward you. Tilt their head back slightly to keep the airway open.
4. Managing Choking
If someone is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe, deliver up to five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If that fails, perform up to five abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre): stand behind them, make a fist above the navel and below the ribs, and thrust sharply inward and upward. Alternate between back blows and abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or emergency services arrive.
5. Recognising a Heart Attack
Symptoms include chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Call 999 immediately. Have the person sit or lie in a comfortable position, loosen any tight clothing, and if they are not allergic and it is available, give them a 300 mg aspirin to chew slowly — it slows blood clotting. Stay calm and keep reassuring them until help arrives.