Adult CPR/AED
Study Guide
Before Giving Care Component:
ƒ Unusual sights, appearances, behaviors, odors, & noises often indicate an
emergency situation
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The least amount of care a person can give to someone who does not
give consent is to call 9-1-1.
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The 3 emergency action steps are CHECK – CALL – CARE
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A person should call 9-1-1 when someone is having trouble breathing,
unconscious, choking, or in cardiac arrest (heart stops beating).
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An injured person should be moved ONLY when the scene becomes
unsafe, you need to reach another person with a more serious injury or
illness, or you need to move the person to give emergency care.
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A person can prevent disease transmission by following standard
precautions (i.e. – wearing gloves or using a breathing barrier).
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When checking a conscious adult you should state your name, ask for
consent, tell the person what you are trained in, and then proceed to ask
questions.
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For a person who may be experiencing shock – take steps to make them
comfortable, monitor their ABCs, raise their legs about 12 inches to
control any external bleeding (unless you suspect any head, neck, or back
injury!).
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When checking an unconscious person you would tap the person & shout
“ARE YOU OKAY?”
Adult CPR Component:
ƒ Signals for a person who is having trouble breathing include; noisy or
painful breathing, unusually deep or shallow breathing, changes in skin
color
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When an adult is conscious & choking giving him/her 5 back blows & 5
abdominal thrusts is an effective technique in helping to dislodge an
object.
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We check for signs of life for no more than 10 seconds.
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Rescue breaths for an adult should last about 1 second
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The most common signal of a heart attack is persistent chest pain or
discomfort that lasts for 3 to 5 minutes
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2 minutes of CPR for an adult is about 5 cycles of CPR.
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For adult CPR 1 cycle is 30 compressions & 2 rescue breaths.
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CPR should not be stopped or interrupted until an AED is ready to be
used, another trained responder takes over, you see signs of life, you are
too exhausted to continue, or the scene becomes unsafe.
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Early CPR is an important step in the cardiac chain of survival because it
helps to circulate oxygenated blood to the vital organs until an AED is
ready to be used or EMT arrives.
Adult AED Component:
ƒ Each minute that defibrillation is delayed reduces the chance of survival
by about 10%.
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Early defibrillation is another step in the cardiac chain of survival that can
potentially save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.
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Defibrillation is an electric shock that may help the heart resume an
effective rhythm.
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During the second analysis, if the AED prompts “no shock advised,” you
should continue with 2 minutes of CPR.
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Be sure that everyone stands clear & does not touch the person when the
AED is analyzing or advising a shock.
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If you see a medication patch on the person’s chest before you apply the
pads, remove patch with a gloved hand.
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The AED pads for an adult should be placed on the upper right chest &
the lower left side of the chest.
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Once the pads have been attached allow the AED to analyze the heart
rhythm.