One minute of inattention and an accident can happen. How should you react in this kind of situation? Lives could be saved if one in five people knew emergency procedures. Simple actions that, if performed quickly and correctly, can save lives...

Choking : Whether it is a child or an adult, action must be taken as quickly as possible.

• Give a maximum of 5 slaps on the victim's back (between the shoulder blades), in order to provoke a cough and dislodge the object blocking the breathing.
• If this action is insufficient, perform a maximum of 5 abdominal thrusts. Position yourself behind the victim and place one of your closed fists between the navel and the lower end of the sternum.
• The problem persists. Alternate 5 back slaps and 5 abdominal thrusts.
• If the victim loses consciousness, gently place them on the ground and immediately call emergency services. Then begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by performing 30 chest compressions.
• Continue resuscitation until emergency services arrive or until normal breathing returns.

The bleeding : A person has just cut themselves, they are bleeding heavily...

• Initially, avoid putting your unprotected hands in contact with his blood. Ask him to apply pressure to his wound.
• Ask someone to call for help, or do it yourself if you are alone.
• If your hands are protected, apply pressure directly to the wound.
• Lay the victim down in a horizontal position. The sight of blood often causes victims to feel unwell.
• If the wound continues to bleed, apply more firm pressure to the wound, and wait for emergency services to arrive.

Loss of consciousness : Following a medical episode, a person loses consciousness

• Before doing anything, check that the victim is not reacting.
• Clear the airways, and remove any accessories from his neck that might obstruct his breathing.
• Turn the victim onto their side in the recovery position.
• Ask someone to call emergency services or go get help yourself if you are alone.
• Regularly check the victim's breathing until emergency services arrive.

heart attack : life-saving actions

• If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call emergency services or ask someone else to do it for you; every minute counts.
• Clear the airway and begin by performing 30 chest compressions.
• Then practice 2 breaths (if you have been taught how).
• Continue resuscitation until emergency services arrive.