Sometimes an apparently healthy person will become weak and fall to the ground. After a few minutes he may cease breathing and there may be no pulse. In some cases a sharp blow over the middle of the chest may set the heart going again.

Check the pulse, or better still, lay your ear down on the chest and listen for the normal beating of the heart. If there is no sound, you must begin closed cardiac massage at once. Lay the heel of your hand down on the breast bone or sternum and press sharply about 60 times each minute. At the same time have someone else give artificial respiration, preferably by the mouth-to-mouth method, do not give up too soon. Some people have been revived after having appeared to be “dead” for several hours.