He/she is not breathing!
non res-PI-ra — stress on second syllable of 'respira'. Clear and loud.
The most critical phrase in any emergency. Say this immediately and the dispatcher will start guiding you through CPR.
'Non respira' = is not breathing — third person singular present of 'respirare'. This single phrase triggers the highest urgency response. The dispatcher will immediately ask: 'Sta battendo il cuore?' (Is the heart beating?) and begin guiding you through CPR ('rianimazione cardio-polmonare' / 'RCP').
Si è fermato il cuore!
His heart has stopped!
Cardiac arrest — triggers AED location guidance from dispatcher
Ha smesso di respirare improvvisamente.
He suddenly stopped breathing.
Past tense description of sudden respiratory arrest
Non ho il polso!
I cannot feel a pulse!
Absence of pulse confirms cardiac arrest — start CPR immediately
The Italian 118 dispatcher is trained to guide bystanders through CPR ('rianimazione') over the phone. Italian law (Law 116/2021) extended the right to use defibrillators ('DAE — defibrillatore automatico esterno') to untrained bystanders in emergencies. Since 2021, DAEs must be installed in all Italian public buildings, airports, train stations, and sports facilities. Many Italian communities train in 'primo soccorso' (first aid).