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PhrasesEmergency PhrasesNon respira! Sapete fare la rianimazione?
B1

Non respira! Sapete fare la rianimazione?

They're not breathing! Do you know how to do CPR?

Pronunciation

'Rianimazione' = ree-a-nee-ma-TSYO-neh. Five syllables. Stress on the fifth-to-last syllable.

When to use it

When a person is unresponsive and not breathing — the critical phrase for mobilising bystanders with first aid skills.

What it means

'Non respira' (they're not breathing) uses the third person singular present — urgent, factual. 'Sapete fare' uses the informal plural 'sapere' (to know how) + infinitive. 'Rianimazione cardiopolmonare' (RCP) is the Italian for CPR. Italian law (Law 116/2021) encourages training in CPR for the general public and mandates AED placement in many public venues.

Variations

Faccio io la rianimazione — ho fatto il corso.

I'll do the CPR — I've done the course.

Taking charge — essential in bystander first aid situations.

Dov'è il defibrillatore più vicino?

Where is the nearest defibrillator?

AEDs are marked with a green heart symbol in Italy.

Conta ad alta voce mentre faccio le compressioni.

Count aloud while I do the compressions.

Coordinating team CPR — counting aloud helps maintain rhythm (100-120/min).

Mini Dialogue


Cultural Note

Italy's 'Progetto Vita' initiative has installed over 10,000 AEDs (defibrillatori automatici esterni) in public spaces since the 1990s. Law 116/2021 mandates AEDs in all sports facilities, train stations, airports, and schools. The GeoDefibrillatori app maps AED locations throughout Italy in real time.