Checking airways before CPR on athletes may increase risk of death, study says

First aid student practises clearing airways on a CPR dummy. Photograph: Mihajlo Maricic/Alamy

It is the simple life-saving sequence taught in many a first aid lesson: when someone collapses, first check their airways, then breathing and finally circulation before starting chest compressions if needed.

But experts have warned this approach to CPR could be increasing the risk of death for athletes experiencing a cardiac arrest.