CPR & AED

What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR?

• A100:2
• B20:1
• C15:2
• D30:2✓

Answer: For adult CPR, the recommended ratio is 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths (30:2). Current guidelines emphasise continuous, effective compressions.

What is the correct depth for chest compressions in adult CPR?

• A10-12 cm
• B5-6 cm✓
• C15 cm or more
• D2-3 cm

Answer: Adult chest compressions should be 5-6 cm deep. This ensures adequate blood flow to vital organs without causing excessive injury.

What is the correct compression rate for CPR?

• A100-120 compressions per minute✓
• B150 compressions per minute, without pausing for breaths
• C40-60 compressions per minute
• D80-100 compressions per minute, matched to the casualty's own pulse

Answer: The recommended compression rate is 100-120 compressions per minute. This maintains adequate circulation and is consistent with the rhythm of the song 'Stayin' Alive'.

Where should chest compressions be applied on an adult?

• AIn the centre of the chest on the lower half of the breastbone✓
• BOn the upper chest near the shoulders, immediately below the collarbones
• COn the upper abdomen, just below where the ribs meet at the breastbone
• DOn the left side of the chest, directly over where the heart lies beneath the ribs

Answer: Compressions should be applied to the centre of the chest on the lower half of the breastbone (sternum), between the nipples.

What is the correct hand position for delivering chest compressions?

• AOne hand placed flat on the chest with the fingers spread wide to spread the force evenly
• BThe heel of one hand on the sternum with the other hand on top, fingers interlocked✓
• CThe palm of one hand only
• DBoth hands laid flat on the chest, one on either side of the breastbone, pressing down together

Answer: Place the heel of one hand on the lower sternum and place your other hand on top with fingers interlocked. Keep arms straight and lean over the casualty.

When should CPR be started?

• AOnly after checking for a pulse at the neck for a full 10 seconds
• BOnly if the casualty has no pulse
• CImmediately in an unresponsive, non-breathing casualty✓
• DOnly once an AED has been brought to the scene and switched on

Answer: CPR should be started immediately if the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Do not delay CPR to check for a pulse.

What compression-to-ventilation ratio should a rescuer trained in paediatric basic life support use for a child?

• A15:2, after five initial rescue breaths✓
• B30:2, which is the ratio used for an adult casualty
• C25:1, to keep compressions as continuous as possible
• D5:1, giving a breath after every fifth compression

Answer: Resuscitation Council UK gives 15:2 for rescuers trained in paediatric basic life support, after five initial rescue breaths. Someone trained only in adult BLS should use 30:2 rather than delay while trying to recall a sequence they do not know — which is why the stem matters. Compression rate is 100-120 a minute either way.

What is the correct compression depth for child CPR?

• A5-6 cm
• B8-10 cm
• C2-3 cm
• D4-5 cm✓

Answer: For child CPR, compress by at least one-third of the chest depth — about 5 cm. This is shallower than adult CPR (5-6 cm).

What is the correct compression depth for infant CPR?

• AAbout 4 cm, roughly one third of the depth of the chest✓
• BAbout 2 cm, since an infant's chest is too fragile for deeper compression
• CAbout 6 cm, the same depth used for an adult casualty
• DAs deep as possible, because depth matters more than anything else

Answer: For an infant under one year, compress by at least one third of the depth of the chest — about 4 cm — using two fingers, or the two-thumb encircling technique if there are two rescuers. That is shallower than the 5 cm used for a child and the 5-6 cm for an adult. Resuscitation Council UK guidance is not to exceed 6 cm at any age.

What technique should be used for infant chest compressions?

• ABoth hands with the fingers interlocked, pressing on the lower half of the breastbone
• BOne hand with fingers spread
• CThe tips of two fingers in the centre of the chest✓
• DThe heel of one hand

Answer: For infants, use the tips of two fingers (usually the index and middle finger) to compress the chest at approximately one-third of its depth.

What does AED stand for?

• AAutomated Emergency Demand
• BAutomated Electrical Device
• CAutomated External Defibrillator✓
• DAutomatic External Defibrillation

Answer: AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator. It is a portable device that analyses the heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock if needed.

When should an AED be used?

• AFor unconscious, non-breathing casualties who may be in cardiac arrest✓
• BNever in a workplace first aid situation; only ambulance crews are permitted to use one
• COnly for conscious casualties
• DOnly after 10 minutes of CPR

Answer: An AED should be used for an unresponsive, non-breathing casualty who may be in cardiac arrest. Apply it as soon as it becomes available.

What is the first step in using an AED?

• ACheck the casualty's pulse
• BStart CPR immediately
• CRemove the casualty's clothing completely
• DTurn on the AED and follow the voice prompts✓

Answer: Turn on the AED and follow the voice and visual prompts. The device will guide you through the process of analysing the heart rhythm and delivering a shock if needed.

What should you do if a casualty is wearing a medication patch?

• ACover the patch with the AED pad
• BApply the AED pad directly on top of the patch so that the patch is not disturbed
• CLeave the patch in place
• DRemove the patch and wipe away any residue before applying AED pads✓

Answer: Remove any medication patches (e.g., nicotine, hormone, pain relief patches) and wipe away any residue before applying AED pads to avoid affecting the electrical contact.

What should you do if a casualty has an implanted pacemaker?

• ACancel CPR and wait for the paramedics, because compressions can dislodge a pacemaker
• BRemove the pacemaker before starting CPR so that the device cannot interfere with compressions
• CDo not apply the AED pads at all, because the shock will destroy the pacemaker completely
• DApply AED pads avoiding the pacemaker site, or use the alternative pad placement✓

Answer: If an implanted pacemaker is visible (hard lump under the skin), place AED pads at least one hand's width away from it, or use alternative pad placement.

How long should you continue CPR?

• AUntil paramedics arrive, signs of life return, or you are too exhausted to continue✓
• BUntil you are personally certain the casualty has died and there is no further chance of survival
• CFor a minimum of 30 minutes, after which compressions should always be stopped regardless of the situation
• DFor 1 minute only

Answer: Continue CPR until the paramedics take over, signs of life return (breathing, movement, response), or you become too exhausted to continue safely.

What is the recovery position?

• ALying on the stomach
• BLying on the side with the head tilted back and airway open✓
• CSitting upright with legs elevated
• DLying flat on the back

Answer: The recovery position is a side-lying position with the head tilted back to keep the airway open, allowing any fluids to drain from the mouth.

What should you do if a casualty vomits during CPR?

• APlace a cloth over the casualty's mouth
• BStop CPR immediately and do not restart until the airway has been cleaned with water
• CPause CPR for 5 minutes
• DContinue CPR; turn the casualty's head to the side and clear the airway✓

Answer: If vomiting occurs during CPR, maintain compressions, turn the casualty's head to the side to allow drainage, and clear the airway if possible.

What is the correct hand position for infant rescue breathing?

• AUse a face shield only and give the breaths through it without making a seal
• BCover only the mouth and pinch the infant's nose closed between finger and thumb
• CCover both the nose and mouth with your mouth✓
• DCover only the nose and hold the infant's mouth firmly closed

Answer: For infant rescue breathing, cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth to create an effective seal. Give small rescue breaths.

When should CPR be stopped?

• ANever; CPR must be continued indefinitely until a doctor formally certifies death
• BAs soon as the casualty opens their eyes, even if they are not yet breathing normally
• CAfter two minutes of compressions, so that the casualty's own pulse can be rechecked
• DWhen paramedics arrive, signs of life return, or you are too exhausted✓

Answer: Stop CPR when paramedics take over, the casualty shows signs of life (breathing, movement, response), or you cannot safely continue due to exhaustion.