Calling for Help and Starting CPR: What to Do First

As soon as you realise a casualty is unresponsive, call the emergency services immediately and ask for an ambulance. Use your mobile phone on speakerphone so you can begin CPR while speaking to the call handler.

If someone is with you, ask them to make the call while you start CPR straight away.

Why Calling Emergency Services Early Matters

When someone collapses or appears unconscious, help must be requested as quickly as possible. The emergency medical services (EMS) dispatcher can rapidly assess the situation and determine the most appropriate response.

Waiting to decide what to do wastes valuable time. The sooner EMS are activated, the greater the chance of survival.

CPR alone is not enough if professional help is not on the way. An AED and advanced care are essential.

For every minute an AED is delayed, the chance of survival falls by around 10%. Early CPR combined with rapid EMS activation significantly improves outcomes.

What to Do If More Than One Rescuer Is Present

If there is more than one rescuer available:

• One rescuer should start CPR immediately
• The other should call emergency services and look for an AED

This teamwork minimises delays and maximises the chance of successful resuscitation.

What to Do If You Are Alone

If you are alone with the casualty:

• Call emergency services on speakerphone
• Do not leave the casualty to look for an AED
• Start CPR immediately

The EMS will bring an AED. By starting CPR early, you increase the likelihood that defibrillation will be successful when it arrives.

Leaving the casualty to search for an AED reduces blood flow to the brain and lowers their chance of survival.

Minimising Interruptions to CPR

Keeping chest compressions going is critical.

If the casualty is an infant or small child, it may be possible to carry them with you while summoning help, reducing interruptions to CPR.

Once you have called EMS, the dispatcher can:

• Guide you through full CPR, or
• Support you with chest-compression-only CPR

Using speakerphone allows you to receive clear, step-by-step instructions while continuing life-saving care.

Key Points to Remember

• Call emergency services as soon as the casualty is unresponsive
• Use speakerphone so you can start CPR immediately
• Do not delay CPR to look for an AED if you are alone
• Early CPR and early EMS activation save lives

Act fast, keep compressions going, and get help on the way. These actions give the casualty the best possible chance of survival.