--- title: "CPR and the Recovery Position" description: "Responding to an unresponsive adult: check safety and response, call emergency services, check normal breathing, start CPR when needed and follow an automated external defibrillator's prompts. Include" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/cpr-and-the-recovery-position-mt_ahwfva-o1j source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/cpr-and-the-recovery-position-mt_ahwfva-o1j.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # CPR and the Recovery Position Responding to an unresponsive adult: check safety and response, call emergency services, check normal breathing, start CPR when needed and follow an automated external defibrillator's prompts. Includes recovery-position care, continued breathing checks and the limits of adult CPR instructions for children. Subject: Personal & Social Development · Area: Responsible Decision-Making · Ages 14 to 16 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/cpr-and-the-recovery-position-mt_ahwfva-o1j ## Ready when they can - Explain scene safety, checking response, calling emergency services and checking normal breathing, including why occasional gasps do not count as normal breathing - Practise adult chest compressions on a CPR manikin for two minutes at 5 to 6 cm deep and 100 to 120 a minute, allowing the chest to rise fully - Practise the recovery position with a trained instructor and explain airway protection, injury precautions and continued breathing checks - Explain how an automated external defibrillator checks the heart rhythm, guides an untrained user and requires everyone to stand clear during analysis and shocks ## Lesson: First two minutes that save lives You have learnt to check for danger and give the location when calling for help. This later stage, for ages 14 to 16, adds physical skills to practise with a trained instructor. Approach only if safe. Speak loudly and gently tap the adult's shoulders. Do not shake hard or use painful tests. If there is no response, call emergency services at once. Use speakerphone, give the location early and follow the handler. Ask another person to fetch an automated external defibrillator, or AED. Open the airway by gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Check for normal breathing for no more than ten seconds. Look for chest movement and listen for breathing. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing. Noisy breathing alone does not show that breathing is normal. If unsure, tell the call handler and follow their instructions. Do not delay CPR to search for a pulse. *(drawing: While emergency help is being called, start CPR if the adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally.)* Lay the adult on their back on a firm, flat surface. Put the heel of one hand on the lower half of the breastbone, in the centre of the chest. Put the other hand on top and interlock your fingers. With straight arms, press 5 to 6 cm deep at 100 to 120 a minute. Let the chest rise fully after each push. Compressions help move blood. Practise compressions only on a CPR manikin, never on a person. If trained and willing, give 30 adult compressions followed by two rescue breaths. Otherwise, keep giving chest compressions and follow the call handler. Children and infants need age-specific CPR. Do not use adult compression depth for a small child. Rescue breaths are especially important for children and after drowning. This page does not teach full child or infant CPR. Follow the handler's age-specific instructions without waiting for a trained rescuer. Keep pauses short. A helper can answer unrelated calls while you compress. Pause when the AED says to stand clear; resume CPR when prompted. If normal breathing returns, stop compressions, reassess and follow the handler. Otherwise continue until emergency workers take over, you cannot continue, or the scene becomes unsafe. The handler can guide you if you feel unsure. An unresponsive adult who breathes normally and has no suspected major injury can be placed in the recovery position. A gentle head tilt helps keep the airway open, and angling the mouth down lets fluids drain. If a serious injury is suspected, avoid unnecessary movement and follow the call handler. Airway care or lifesaving help may still require movement. Practise the recovery position with a trained instructor and a willing partner. **Example.** Kneel beside the adult. Put the near arm out at a right angle, palm up. Hold the far hand against the near cheek. Bend the far knee with the foot on the floor. Pull that knee towards you, keeping the hand at the cheek, to roll them onto their side. Bend the top hip and knee to support them. Gently tilt the head back to open the airway. Angle the mouth down so fluids can drain. Keep checking breathing while help is coming, including after placing someone in the recovery position. Tell the call handler about any change. If the adult remains unresponsive and breathing becomes abnormal, roll them onto their back and start CPR. Do not leave them on their side and wait. An AED checks the heart rhythm and advises a shock only for rhythms a shock can treat. You do not need prior training to use one. Turn it on, attach pads to bare, dry skin as their pictures show, and follow its prompts. No one should touch the person during rhythm analysis or a shock. No shock advised does not mean recovery. Resume CPR when prompted unless normal breathing has returned; then reassess and follow the handler. *(drawing: The AED guides shock treatment. It does not replace CPR. If normal breathing returns, reassess and follow the call handler.)* **Recap.** Check safety and response, call for help, then check breathing. Start adult CPR if needed. Follow AED prompts. Use the recovery position when appropriate and keep checking breathing. *Lesson, questions and flashcards written for this dataset. Physical first-aid skills need practice with a trained instructor.* ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [First Aid You Can Actually Do](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/first-aid-you-can-actually-do-mt_dlq0FtJVVi) - [Gas Exchange & Breathing](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/gas-exchange-and-breathing-mt_V9SQS9gLFw)