These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Check and call
Make sure it's safe for you to go close (traffic, fire, power lines).
Tap their shoulder and shout, "Are you OK?"
If they don't respond, call 911 right away. Put the phone on speaker. The dispatcher will tell you what to do.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
Send someone to find an AED (the defibrillator in a red or yellow box on the wall of many stores, schools, gyms and churches).
2Start CPR if they are not breathing normally
Gasping is NOT normal breathing. Start CPR.
Lay them on their back on the floor. Kneel beside them.
Put the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, the other hand on top.
Push hard and fast: about 2 inches deep, 100 to 120 times a minute (to the beat of "Stayin' Alive"). Let the chest come back up each time.
Keep going until help takes over, the AED says to stop, or they start breathing. Trade with someone every 2 minutes if you can.
3Child or baby
For a child or baby, give CPR with breaths if you know how: 30 pushes, then 2 gentle breaths. If you don't know how, push only. The 911 dispatcher will coach you.
Child (1 year to puberty): push with one or two hands in the center of the chest, about 2 inches deep.
Baby (under 1): push with 2 fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipples, about 1 1/2 inches deep. Cover the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth for breaths.
If you are alone with a child or baby, give about 2 minutes of CPR, then call 911.
4Use the AED
Turn it on and do what its voice says. Put the pads on the bare chest as shown on the pads.
Don't touch the person when it says it is shocking.
Keep doing CPR right after a shock, until it says to stop.
5Could it be an overdose?
Signs: tiny pupils, blue or gray lips, slow or no breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds.
Give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it: one spray in a nostril. Give another after 2-3 minutes if they don't wake up. Keep doing CPR.
Use the guide "Someone is overdosing, or wants to stop using drugs today".
6If they are breathing but won't wake up
Roll them onto their side, top knee bent, head tilted back a little, so they won't choke if they throw up.
Stay with them and keep watching their breathing until help comes.
On cold or very hot days, someone sleeping outside who can't be woken needs 911.
7Learn it before you need it
You can say"A short class makes it much easier to act fast."
Silver City Fire Department
CPR, AED and First Aid certification classes ($35)
575-538-2591
1011 N Hudson Street, Silver City
Silver City Fire Department
Free Stop the Bleed class
575-538-2591
1011 N Hudson Street, Silver City
Center for Health Innovation
Mental Health First Aid, QPR suicide prevention and Narcan trainings
575-534-0101
11587 US 180 E., Silver City
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
Know a better way? Is something out of date?
If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.