Calling for help and CPR
Calling for help and CPR: a chapter of the First Aid Book, with the steps that help in the first minutes of an emergency.
10 cards · Science
Each Zap teaches up to 5 new cards, so you learn the deck a few at a time.
Checked by the Brain Zap team · reviewed 26 Oct 2026
Sources: First aid (NHS), First aid advice (British Red Cross)
Preview
Emergency number that works across the EU
Show answerHide answer: Emergency number that works across the EU
112
Learn more: It reaches emergency services in every EU country and many others, and works on most mobile phones worldwide.
Emergency number in the US and Canada
Show answerHide answer: Emergency number in the US and Canada
911
Learn more: One number reaches police, fire and ambulance, and the dispatcher can talk you through CPR.
Emergency number in the UK
Show answerHide answer: Emergency number in the UK
999
Learn more: The UK also answers 112, and both reach the same operators.
First thing to check before helping someone
Show answerHide answer: First thing to check before helping someone
Danger
Learn more: Check for traffic, fire, electricity or gas first: an injured helper can't help anyone.
How long to check if someone is breathing normally
Show answerHide answer: How long to check if someone is breathing normally
Up to 10 seconds
Learn more: Any longer delays CPR; occasional gasps are not normal breathing, so start CPR if that's all you see.
About this topic
When someone collapses, the first minutes matter most. Make sure the scene is safe, check whether they are breathing normally, call the emergency number and, if they aren't breathing, start CPR straight away. Chest compressions keep blood moving to the brain until a defibrillator or the ambulance arrives, and the dispatcher on the phone can talk you through every step.
This is a chapter of the First Aid Book. Each card asks one question, with a hint before you answer and a short reason after. Once you know most of this chapter, the next one starts arriving in your Daily Zap.
All 10 cards
Emergency number that works across the EU
112
Learn more: It reaches emergency services in every EU country and many others, and works on most mobile phones worldwide.
Emergency number in the US and Canada
911
Learn more: One number reaches police, fire and ambulance, and the dispatcher can talk you through CPR.
Emergency number in the UK
999
Learn more: The UK also answers 112, and both reach the same operators.
First thing to check before helping someone
Danger
Learn more: Check for traffic, fire, electricity or gas first: an injured helper can't help anyone.
How long to check if someone is breathing normally
Up to 10 seconds
Learn more: Any longer delays CPR; occasional gasps are not normal breathing, so start CPR if that's all you see.
CPR: chest compressions for every 2 rescue breaths
30
Learn more: If you're not trained or not willing to give breaths, keep doing compressions without stopping.
Chest compressions a minute in CPR
100 to 120
Learn more: At this pace the compressions keep blood moving to the brain; much slower or faster pumps less.
How deep to press on an adult's chest in CPR
5 to 6 cm
Learn more: Push hard and fast, and let the chest rise fully between presses so the heart can fill again.
Where to push in adult CPR
Centre of the chest
Learn more: Heel of one hand there, the other on top, arms straight and shoulders right above your hands.
Device that can shock a heart back into rhythm
Defibrillator
Learn more: Public ones talk you through each step and only shock if the heart needs it, so anyone can use one.
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