To mark World First Aid Day, the chief first aid instructor of the Cyprus Red Cross, Christos Antoniadis, demonstrated on Alpha Kalimera’s camera the basic steps everyone should know in case of an emergency.
Christos Antoniadis, the chief first aid instructor of the Cyprus Red Cross, gave a live demonstration of the CPR procedure on an adult.
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As he explained, the first and most important step is to approach the victim safely, after first making sure the area is safe.
Next, we check whether the victim is responsive by asking them questions and trying to determine if they are conscious.
If they do not respond, call 112 immediately—preferably on speakerphone—stating your location and describing the situation.
Immediately afterward, open the airway. Place two fingers under the chin and, with the other hand on the forehead, gently tilt the head backward.
Next, for up to 10 seconds, we check for normal breathing, following the “listen, look, feel” principle.
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If the victim is breathing normally and shows no other injuries requiring different treatment, place them in the recovery position.
If they are not breathing normally, call for help and, if an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, request that it be brought to the scene immediately and begin CPR.
For CPR on an adult, place your hands in the center of the chest, with your elbows locked and your shoulders directly above your hands.
Chest compressions are performed at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, to a depth of approximately 5 to 6 centimeters.
The goal is to maintain blood circulation until professional help arrives.
As for rescue breaths, if someone is trained and wishes to administer them, the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths is followed.
To administer breaths, pinch the victim’s nose closed, open their mouth, and blow into it for about one second.
For those who are not trained in rescue breaths, Mr. Antoniadis noted that they can proceed with chest compressions alone.
Special attention is required when performing CPR on infants.
According to the new 2025 guidelines presented by Mr. Antoniadis, compressions are performed in the center of the chest, to a depth of approximately 2 to 3 centimeters, followed by rescue breaths, in accordance with the recommended procedure for infants.
Choking: How We Can Help
Mr. Antoniadis also discussed how to respond to a choking incident caused by a foreign object.
Signs that may indicate a person is choking include clutching their throat, bulging eyes, difficulty breathing, and coughing.
If the person is coughing effectively, do not hit them on the back. Let them continue coughing, as coughing can help dislodge the object.
If, however, the coughing is ineffective and the foreign object does not come out, give five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
If the object still does not come out, perform abdominal thrusts, with five thrusts inward and upward.
Alternate between these two steps—five back blows and five abdominal thrusts—until the foreign object is dislodged or a different course of action becomes necessary.
Most importantly, as Mr. Antoniadis emphasized, we must immediately call 112 for help, especially when we are alone with the victim.
First aid can make all the difference until medical professionals arrive, while proper training can provide the necessary knowledge and composure at a critical moment.
Please note that the Cyprus Red Cross will be at Nicosia Mall and Metropolis Mall in Larnaca, providing information and training to the public.
Cyprus Red Cross instructors will be present at both locations to conduct demonstrations and show the public, among other things, how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
The Cyprus Red Cross, through its First Aid Service, also offers a series of certified first aid training programs.
