Before approaching a casualty you must check for danger to yourself & others. Do NOT approach if it is not safe to do so.

For example: is the casualty down a steep slope where you could also fall and become another casualty? 

If possible, put on some gloves before touching a casualty, especially a stranger to protect yourself from any blood or infections.

Check the response level of the casualty by speaking to them loudly then giving a gentle but firm shake of the shoulders. Do they give any response?

There are 4 levels or response using the acronym AVPU -

A - Alert: Awake, eyes open, responding normally & answering questions.

V - Voice: Not fully alert or awake but responds to verbal commands/questions with movements or sounds.

P - Pain: Moves or makes noise when touched by gently shaking the shoulders

U - Unresponsive: Fully unconscious, does nothing when spoken to or touched.

As soon as you have established the casualty's response level you should send for or call for help.

An open, clear Airway is the top priority. If air can't get in a casualty's lungs then nothing else we do matters.

1. If not already, carefully roll the casualty onto their back so you can get to them easily (unless there are obvious, major injuries).

2. Gently open the casualty's mouth and look inside. Can you see anything in there that shouldn't be? (Do not put anything inside the mouth).

3. Tilt their head back bringing their chin to the sky. This opens the Airway.

4. Hold their head in this position (an unresponsive person is floppy).

Once we have established a clear, open Airway we must make sure they are breathing -

1. Whilst holding the Airway open, bring your ear close to the casualty's mouth: looking towards their chest.

2. Listen and feel for breath, look for their chest rising and falling. This can be difficult outside so do your best!

3. Stay there for 10 seconds.

4. If they are breathing normally, you should hear/feel/see 2-3 breaths in that 10 seconds.

5. If you do not hear/feel/see any breaths, or those breaths are gasping/don't sound right: they are NOT BREATHING NORMALLY.

If they are NOT breathing normally

1. If not already done so, you should call 999 and ask for an Ambulance/Mountain Rescue.

2. Begin CPR.

If they ARE breathing normally

1. If not already done so you should call 999 and ask for an Ambulance/Mountain Rescue.

2. Continue the Primary Survey.

Once we have established the casualty is Breathing NORMALLY we can start looking for injuries; particularly bleeding.

1. Put on some protective gloves from your First aid kit if you haven't already.

2. Starting at the top of the head, carefully feel all the way down the casualty's body, pay particular attention to under their head, neck and body where blood may run.

3. Check you hands for blood regularly.

4. Feel for lumps & bumps that may indicate an injury.

5. Bandage any cuts/injuries that are within your ability to do so.

Once you have established that the casualty -

1. Has an open, clear Airway.

2. Is breathing normally.

3. Has no serious bleeding or injuries

4. Has help on the way

You can put them in the Recovery Position and monitor them until help arrives.

If at any point they stop breathing, roll them onto their back and start CPR.