Immediate danger to life: call 999 or 112.
UK Ready is an independent information site. Current official instructions for your area take priority over this general guidance.
Sources checked 13 October 2026
Check the scene first. Do not enter gunfire, a toxic atmosphere, floodwater, unstable debris or a live electrical hazard to reach someone. Call 999 or 112 and describe the location, what happened, the person's condition and any continuing danger. Put the phone on speaker only where doing so will not expose you during an attack.
Unresponsive and not breathing normally: Start CPR and follow the ambulance call handler. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing. Ask another person to fetch an automated external defibrillator if available; follow its spoken instructions. Adult, child and infant resuscitation differ, so use the relevant training and dispatcher guidance. Do not leave a casualty alone to search for a device if no helper is available.
Severe bleeding: Apply firm pressure with a clean dressing or cloth where safe. If an object is embedded, do not pull it out; apply pressure around it and obtain emergency help. Gloves help reduce contact with blood. Follow dispatcher or first aid training instructions. Do not improvise invasive procedures or make a tourniquet from an unverified website description.
Thermal burns: Cool the affected area with cool running water for 20 minutes where available and safe. Keep the rest of the person warm. Do not use ice, butter, oils or creams, or remove clothing stuck to the skin. Severe, large or deep burns and burns affecting breathing need emergency assessment. Chemical burns require the chemical-exposure response and urgent medical help; do not treat all burns identically.
Suspected poisoning: Seek immediate medical advice as described in Suspected poisoning or deliberate contamination of water. Do not induce vomiting or give food or drink while awaiting instructions. Tell responders about the suspected substance without delaying care to investigate it.
Do not move someone with a possible spinal injury unless needed to escape immediate danger or to manage lifesaving care according to emergency instructions. Keep monitoring breathing and responsiveness and protect them from cold.
Prepare now: Take a recognised first aid course and keep a small kit with dressings and gloves. This page is a bridge to emergency help, not a complete first aid qualification. UK Ready should link directly to age-appropriate St John Ambulance or NHS material rather than generating new clinical procedures.