Basic Life Support Flashcards

Question 1

What is the first step a rescuer should take before approaching a person who may need Basic Life Support?

Accepted Answer

The first step is to check that the scene is safe for you and the person in need. Look for traffic, fire, electrical hazards, smoke, or violence before you move in. If the scene is unsafe, do not become a second casualty. Call for trained help instead.

Question 2

How do you check whether an adult is responsive?

Accepted Answer

Tap the person firmly on the shoulder and speak loudly, asking a clear question such as whether they are okay. Look for any movement, eye opening, or a spoken reply. If there is no response, the person is unresponsive and you should call for help immediately. Avoid shaking the person violently.

Question 3

Why should emergency services be called early during a suspected cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Calling emergency services early means professional responders can be on their way while you begin care. Asking a bystander to call, or using a phone on speaker, lets you keep working. Early activation is one link in the chain of survival, so do not delay it while you search for information.

Question 4

What does checking for normal breathing involve, and why is gasping not normal?

Accepted Answer

Look at the chest for rising and falling, listen for breath sounds, and feel for airflow for about ten seconds. Gasping, which is occasional noisy breaths, is not normal breathing and is a sign that cardiac arrest may be occurring. Treat a person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally as needing CPR.

Question 5

What is the chain of survival in emergency cardiac care?

Accepted Answer

The chain of survival is a sequence of linked actions that improves the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Its links include early recognition and calling for help, early chest compressions, early defibrillation, and advanced care. Each link depends on the one before it, so a delay at any point weakens the whole chain.

Question 6

What does the term cardiac arrest mean in Basic Life Support training?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac arrest is the sudden stopping of effective heart pumping, so blood does not circulate to the brain and body. The person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. It is different from a heart attack, which is a problem with blood flow to the heart muscle.

Question 7

What information should a caller give emergency services?

Accepted Answer

A caller should state the location, the number of people involved, and what has happened, such as the person collapsing and not responding. Give whether the person is breathing normally and whether help is already underway. Stay on the line if possible, because the dispatcher can often give instructions while you act.

Question 8

What does a rescuer do if the person starts breathing normally again?

Accepted Answer

Stop CPR only when the person shows clear signs of normal breathing, then keep them under observation. Place a person who is breathing normally but unresponsive in the recovery position. Continue to monitor breathing, because it can change, and be ready to restart CPR.

Question 9

Where should a rescuer place their hands for chest compressions on an adult?

Accepted Answer

Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone. Place your other hand on top of the first, interlace your fingers, and keep your fingers off the ribs. Keep your elbows straight and your shoulders directly above your hands.

Question 10

How deep should chest compressions be for an adult being given CPR?

Accepted Answer

Adult chest compressions should be at least 5 centimeters deep but no more than 6 centimeters. Allow the chest to recoil completely between compressions, so the heart can refill with blood. Pushing too shallowly reduces blood flow, while leaning on the chest between compressions prevents full recoil.

Question 11

What compression rate should a rescuer aim for during adult CPR?

Accepted Answer

Aim for a rate of about 100 to 120 compressions per minute. A steady rhythm helps maintain blood flow, and a metronome or the rhythm of a familiar song can help you keep pace. Counting out loud is useful, but the rate should stay consistent rather than speeding up when you feel tired.

Question 12

Why should rescuers keep interruptions to chest compressions as brief as possible?

Accepted Answer

Each interruption stops blood from flowing to the brain and heart, and circulation must rebuild after each pause. Pauses for rescue breaths, rhythm checks, or positioning should be short, typically no more than about 10 seconds. Good teams plan transitions in advance so the compressions resume quickly.

Question 13

How often should rescuers switch roles when performing chest compressions as a team?

Accepted Answer

Rescuers should switch the compressor role about every two minutes, or sooner if the compressor is tired. Switching should be done quickly, with the new rescuer taking position while the change is made with minimal pause. Fatigue reduces compression depth and rate, so rotation protects quality.

Question 14

What does full chest recoil mean during chest compressions?

Accepted Answer

Full chest recoil means the chest rises back to its normal position after each compression, with no weight left on it. This lets the heart refill with blood before the next push. Rescuers often lean on the chest without realizing it, so they should focus on lifting the upper body fully between compressions.

Question 15

Why is it important to keep the arms straight during compressions?

Accepted Answer

Straight arms let the rescuer use body weight rather than arm muscles to push down on the chest. This reduces fatigue and makes it easier to reach the target depth consistently. Bent elbows tend to absorb force and tire the rescuer quickly, which weakens compressions over time.

Question 16

Why should an adult be placed on a firm, flat surface before compressions begin?

Accepted Answer

A firm, flat surface helps the compressions transfer force into the chest rather than being absorbed by a mattress or cushion. Soft surfaces such as beds or couches can make compressions shallow and less effective. Moving the person to the floor, when it can be done safely, gives rescuers a firm base.

Question 17

What is the purpose of rescue breaths during CPR?

Accepted Answer

Rescue breaths deliver oxygen-containing air into the lungs of a person who is not breathing normally. They are given alongside chest compressions, which circulate oxygenated blood through the body. Together, breaths and compressions support the body until advanced care arrives and takes over.

Question 18

How should rescuers open the airway before giving rescue breaths?

Accepted Answer

Use a head tilt chin lift, tilting the head back gently while lifting the chin, so the tongue moves away from the back of the throat. If a spinal injury is suspected, a jaw thrust without head tilt is used instead. Watch for the chest to rise with each breath.

Question 19

How long should each rescue breath last, and how much air should be given?

Accepted Answer

Each breath should last about one second, just enough to make the chest visibly rise. Avoid forceful or rapid breaths, because too much air can enter the stomach and make ventilation less effective. Pause compressions only long enough to deliver each breath.

Question 20

What is the ratio of compressions to breaths for adult CPR by a single rescuer?

Accepted Answer

The standard ratio for adult CPR by a single rescuer is thirty compressions followed by two rescue breaths, repeated in cycles. Count the compressions out loud so you know when to pause for breaths. Keep the pause between phases as short as possible so circulation is not lost.

Question 21

What should a rescuer do if the chest does not rise after a rescue breath?

Accepted Answer

Recheck the head tilt and chin lift, then look in the mouth for any visible obstruction. Give the breath again with a good seal, watching for chest rise. If the chest still does not rise, continue with cycles of compressions and breaths, and get help with an advanced airway when available.

Question 22

What is the recovery position and when is it used?

Accepted Answer

The recovery position is a side-lying position used for a person who is breathing normally but unresponsive. It helps keep the airway open and lets fluid drain from the mouth rather than being inhaled. Only use it when breathing is normal, never instead of CPR.

Question 23

Why is a barrier device recommended when giving rescue breaths?

Accepted Answer

A barrier device, such as a pocket mask, creates a seal and reduces direct contact between the rescuer and the person's mouth and fluids. It also helps protect the rescuer from infection risk during CPR. Using one is recommended when available, but rescuers should not delay breaths while searching for one.

Question 24

Why does a rescuer pinch the nose closed during rescue breaths?

Accepted Answer

Pinching the nose closed prevents air from escaping through the nostrils, so most of each breath travels into the lungs. This matters most when the rescuer's mouth is sealed directly over the person's mouth. Keep the head tilted and the chin lifted while the nose is pinched.

Question 25

What is an automated external defibrillator and what does it do?

Accepted Answer

An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is a portable device that analyzes the heart rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock when a shockable rhythm is detected. Its purpose is to shock a shockable rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest, and it is used together with CPR.

Question 26

Why should electrode pads be placed on a bare chest and dried if wet?

Accepted Answer

Electrode pads need direct skin contact to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver the shock effectively. Remove clothing and wipe the chest dry if it is wet, so the pads stick well. Shave excess chest hair if needed, and never place pads on a wet surface.

Question 27

What should everyone do while the AED is analyzing the heart rhythm?

Accepted Answer

Everyone must stay clear of the person and must not touch them while the AED is analyzing the heart rhythm. Movement or contact can interfere with the analysis and can cause a shock to reach the rescuer. Say clear, look to confirm no one is touching the person, then wait for the device's instruction.

Question 28

What should a rescuer do immediately after the AED delivers a shock?

Accepted Answer

Immediately resume chest compressions, starting with the compression count, without checking the person first. The AED will prompt you when to pause for another analysis, usually after about two minutes of CPR. Continue following the prompts until emergency responders take over.

Question 29

What should a rescuer do if the AED advises that no shock is needed?

Accepted Answer

Resume chest compressions immediately and continue CPR as the device directs. A no-shock advisory does not mean the person has recovered, so do not stop. Keep following the prompts, since the device will reanalyze the rhythm at intervals, and do not remove the pads.

Question 30

What are the two standard pad positions for an adult?

Accepted Answer

One pad is placed on the upper right side of the chest, below the collarbone. The other is placed on the lower left side of the chest, on the side below the armpit. Follow the diagram on the pads or the device prompts, since placement can vary slightly by model.

Question 31

Can an AED be used on a child, and what should be used if available?

Accepted Answer

Yes, an AED can be used on a child, and the rescuer should use pediatric pads or a pediatric attenuator if the device provides them. If these are not available, standard adult pads may be used, placed on the front and back of the chest so they do not touch.

Question 32

What does the term shockable rhythm mean in AED training?

Accepted Answer

A shockable rhythm is an abnormal heart rhythm, such as ventricular fibrillation, that an electrical shock may interrupt. Not all abnormal rhythms are shockable, which is why the device analyzes the rhythm before deciding. Rescuers do not need to identify the rhythm themselves.

Question 33

What is the difference between a mild and a severe airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

A mild obstruction is one where the person can cough, speak, or breathe with some effort, and the cough should be encouraged. A severe obstruction is one where the person cannot cough, speak, or breathe effectively, and they may become unresponsive. Rescuers should act on a severe obstruction using back blows and abdominal thrusts.

Question 34

How should a rescuer give back blows to an adult with a severe obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Stand to the side and slightly behind the person, support the chest with one hand, and lean them forward so the object may dislodge. Deliver up to five firm blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand. Check after each blow whether the obstruction has cleared.

Question 35

How should abdominal thrusts be performed on an adult with a severe obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Stand behind the person, place a fist just above the navel and below the rib cage, and grasp it with the other hand. Pull inward and upward with quick, firm thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive. If the person becomes unresponsive, lower them to the ground and start CPR.

Question 36

What is the role of the compressor in a two rescuer team?

Accepted Answer

The compressor performs chest compressions at the correct depth and rate, and focuses on keeping the rhythm steady. The compressor should also signal when it is time to switch roles so the team stays coordinated. The compressor is not responsible for airway or breaths, which belong to the second rescuer.

Question 37

Why should a team member be assigned to retrieve the AED early?

Accepted Answer

Retrieving the AED early means defibrillation can happen sooner, which is one of the most important links in the chain of survival. Ask a second bystander to get the device while the first rescuer begins compressions. Assigning one person to bring the device avoids delays caused by everyone searching at once.

Question 38

What should a rescuer do if they are alone and find an unresponsive adult?

Accepted Answer

If you are alone with an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally, call emergency services or ask someone nearby to call, then start CPR and fetch an AED if one is available. Use the device as soon as it arrives, following its prompts.

Question 39

What is the purpose of a debrief after an emergency response?

Accepted Answer

A debrief is a short review where the team discusses what went well, what was delayed, and what could improve next time. It supports quality improvement and helps rescuers process the event. Records of timings, such as the time of collapse and the time CPR started, are useful for this review.

Question 40

Why does a clear handover to emergency responders matter?

Accepted Answer

A clear handover gives responders the key facts they need quickly, such as when the person collapsed, whether they were breathing, what CPR was given, and whether a shock was delivered. A structured summary, often using a recognized memory aid, reduces the chance that important details are missed.

Basic Life Support Flashcards

1Scene Safety and Recognition

2Adult Chest Compressions

3Rescue Breaths and Airways

4Automated External Defibrillators

5Choking, Teamwork, and Handover

Learning Resources