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First aid · Australia

Adult CPR

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 000 on speaker and start CPR. Give 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths if trained and willing, or continuous compressions if you cannot give breaths. Use an AED as soon as available.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Check response and breathing

    Check safety and response. Open the airway with head tilt and chin lift, then check for normal breathing. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing.

  2. Call 000; send for an AED

    Call 000 on speakerphone. Ask someone to bring an AED and help direct the ambulance.

    Take care. Do not delay compressions while searching for an AED.

  3. Position your hands

    Lay the person on their back on a firm surface. Put the heel of one hand on the lower half of the breastbone, with your other hand on top.

    Take care. Do not practise compressions on a real person who is conscious or breathing normally.

  4. Give compressions

    Give 30 compressions at 100–120 per minute. Push down about one-third of the chest depth (more than 5 cm in an adult). Let the chest come fully back up after each compression.

    Take care. Do not stop repeatedly to check for a pulse.

  5. Give breaths if you can

    If trained and willing, open the airway, pinch the nose and seal your mouth over theirs. Give 2 breaths, about 1 second each, enough to see the chest rise. Resume compressions promptly. If you cannot give breaths, continue compressions.

  6. Use the AED

    Turn on the AED, expose the chest and attach pads as pictured. Keep everyone clear for analysis and any shock. Resume CPR when prompted.

  7. Keep going

    Continue until normal breathing or responsiveness returns, trained help takes over, you cannot continue or the scene becomes unsafe. Follow the call-taker.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally needs CPR and an immediate 000 call.

Children and babies

  • A child needs less compression depth and may need one hand; a baby uses a different hand position and airway technique. Open the child and infant CPR guide for the steps.

Keep checking

  • Follow the call-taker instructions and look for signs of normal breathing or movement.

What you may notice

  • The person is unresponsive or does not respond normally to voice and touch.
  • They are not breathing normally, or they are making occasional gasps, grunts or other abnormal breathing sounds.
  • There may have been a sudden collapse, but cardiac arrest can also be unwitnessed.
  • The person may look pale, blue or still; do not wait for a perfect diagnosis before starting the emergency pathway.

When help arrives

  • Continue CPR until the person responds or begins breathing normally, a health professional takes over, you are unable to continue, the scene becomes unsafe or the call-taker directs you to stop.
  • If normal breathing returns, stop compressions, keep monitoring response and breathing and follow the 000 call-taker instructions.
  • Tell responders when CPR began, whether rescue breaths were given, when an AED was attached and whether a shock was delivered.

Other useful answers

Can CPR restart the heart?

CPR supports blood flow while an AED and emergency treatment are arranged. It does not guarantee that the heart will restart.

What if another person can help?

One person can call 000 and prepare the AED. If possible, change the person doing compressions about every 2 minutes with as little interruption as possible.

What if normal breathing returns?

Stop compressions, place an unresponsive person on their side, keep watching their breathing and follow 000. Leave the AED attached.

Sources and last update

Content updated: 6 September 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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