CPR (resuscitation) Whakarauora ā-kōpeketanga
If someone stops breathing or their heart has stopped, they need CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). CPR involves pushing on their chest and blowing air into their mouth to try to restart their heart and breathing. Find out how to do CPR.
Watch a CPR demonstration
To do CPR, follow the instructions on this Hato Hone St John video.
If a pēpi or young tamaiti has stopped breathing, follow the instructions on the KidsHealth website.
CPR for babies and young children — KidsHealth
Demonstration on how to do CPR
Steps in giving CPR
Before you give CPR, follow these steps to assess the person and situation. This will help you decide on what emergency help should be given while you wait for other help to arrive. To remember what to do, think DRs ABCD.
D – Dangers
Check the area is safe before you approach. Look around for dangers like fire, electricity and traffic. If it is safe, go to the next step. If not, make it safe before going any further.
D – Dangers
Check the area is safe before you approach. Look around for dangers like fire, electricity and traffic. If it is safe, go to the next step. If not, make it safe before going any further.
R – Responsive
Shout 'Are you all right? Can you hear me?' and squeeze or rub an uninjured part of their body. If they respond (move or make a noise), put them on their side in the recovery position, and wait with them for help. If they do not respond, continue as follows.
R – Responsive
Shout 'Are you all right? Can you hear me?' and squeeze or rub an uninjured part of their body. If they respond (move or make a noise), put them on their side in the recovery position, and wait with them for help. If they do not respond, continue as follows.
S – Send for help
If no one has phoned for help yet, ask someone to call 111. Tell them to let you know when they have. If you are alone, do steps A, B, and C below before calling for help yourself.
S – Send for help
If no one has phoned for help yet, ask someone to call 111. Tell them to let you know when they have. If you are alone, do steps A, B, and C below before calling for help yourself.
A – Airway
Open their airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. If there is anything in their mouth, use 2 fingers to sweep it out carefully.
A – Airway
Open their airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. If there is anything in their mouth, use 2 fingers to sweep it out carefully.
B – Breathing
If the person is unconscious, check if they are breathing by:
- looking for their chest rising and falling
- feeling for their breath on your cheek
- listening for their breathing.
If they are breathing normally, follow the steps on this page.
If they are not breathing, or only occasionally gasping for air, begin CPR.
B – Breathing
If the person is unconscious, check if they are breathing by:
- looking for their chest rising and falling
- feeling for their breath on your cheek
- listening for their breathing.
If they are breathing normally, follow the steps on this page.
If they are not breathing, or only occasionally gasping for air, begin CPR.
C – CPR
Make sure the person is lying flat on their back and then start CPR.
- 30 compressions — place your hands one on top of the other in the centre of their chest. Push down hard and fast. Do 30 compressions.
- 2 breaths — tilt their head, lift their chin and pinch their nose. Seal your lips over their mouth and blow in. Take another breath and blow in again.
If you are alone, do 30 compressions, followed by 2 breaths. Then stop and call 111. Start compressions and breathing again, and continue until help arrives.
If you have someone to help you, one person can do the chest compressions and the other person can do the breaths.
C – CPR
Make sure the person is lying flat on their back and then start CPR.
- 30 compressions — place your hands one on top of the other in the centre of their chest. Push down hard and fast. Do 30 compressions.
- 2 breaths — tilt their head, lift their chin and pinch their nose. Seal your lips over their mouth and blow in. Take another breath and blow in again.
If you are alone, do 30 compressions, followed by 2 breaths. Then stop and call 111. Start compressions and breathing again, and continue until help arrives.
If you have someone to help you, one person can do the chest compressions and the other person can do the breaths.
D – Defibrillator
If you have access to an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED):
- turn it on
- attach it to the person following the the prompts on the AED
- listen to the voice instructions.
If you do not have an AED, continue CPR.
Find your nearest defibrillator — AED Locations websiteexternal link
AED Locations app — Healthifyexternal link
Watch a CPR and AED demonstration – Hato St Johnexternal link
D – Defibrillator
If you have access to an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED):
- turn it on
- attach it to the person following the the prompts on the AED
- listen to the voice instructions.
If you do not have an AED, continue CPR.
Find your nearest defibrillator — AED Locations websiteexternal link
AED Locations app — Healthifyexternal link
Watch a CPR and AED demonstration – Hato St Johnexternal link
Assistance from trained volunteers nearby
GoodSAM app
When you call an ambulance, volunteers nearby who know how to do CPR and use a defibrillator can be alerted by an app on their phone. They may arrive quickly to help you. When someone's breathing and heart stops (cardiac arrest), a few minutes can make a big difference.
The GoodSAM network of trained volunteers — including doctors, nurses, paramedics and registered first aiders — can give life support while help is on the way.
If you are trained to perform CPR and use an AED, consider signing up to be a voluntary responder to someone nearby in cardiac arrest.
Get CPR training
It is a good idea for anyone to get basic training in CPR. You can search online for local courses or use the links below for training available nationwide.