CPR Certification Course

CPR Course Outline

Welcome to the AEDCPR Online CPR Certification course. In an emergency situation, seconds count. The goal of this class is to prepare you for an emergency and to help you save a life. It’s important to recognize when an emergency exists, what to do in case of an emergency, when to activate EMS, and what to do until they arrive.

We offer three different types of CPR certifications. Our Healthcare Provider BLS certification class deals with emergency situations for adults, children, and infants. BLS stands for Basic Life Support. It is the most comprehensive CPR class offered. BLS certification is required for medical professionals and caregivers. It is also the most requested course used to satisfy job or school requirements. The CPR/AED course is designed for lay rescuers who do not have to meet state licensure requirements. Our CPR/AED/First Aid certification includes everything in the BLS certification and everything in our First Aid class.

This class covers everything in the Healthcare Provider BLS course and the CPR/AED Course. It also covers the CPR portion of the CPR/AED/First Aid Course. For the complete course, please visit our CPR/AED/First Aid Course page.

Included in This Course:

• Cardiac Arrest
• Heart Attacks
• Respiratory Arrest
• Adult 1 Rescuer CPR
• Adult 2-Rescuer CPR
• Child 1 Rescuer CPR
• Child 2-Rescuer CPR
• Infant CPR
• Adult AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
• Child AED
• Adult Choking
• Child Choking
• Infant Choking
• EMS
• 911 System
• Medical Legal Aspects

CPR Certification Test

After completing the class material, there is a test. This is the same exact test we give in our classroom-based courses. It is a multiple-choice test that contains 25 questions. We strongly advise you to complete all the course material before taking the test. However, you can skip ahead if you like. There is no time limit on the test. Test answers are saved for 30 days. So you can leave the test to review the class material. When you return to the CPR test, you can continue from where you left off or start over from the beginning. You can re-take the test as many times as you like.

Test Links

• CPR/AED Certification Test
• Healthcare Provider BLS Certification Test
• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Test

Heart Attacks

Anatomy & Physiology | The Heart

The heart is a muscle about the size of your fist. It is located in the center of your chest, behind the lower part of your sternum. The sternum is the bone in the center of your chest where the ribs meet. At the bottom of the sternum is a small bony projection called the xiphoid process.

What is a Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction?

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is reduced. This is usually due to a blockage. The lack of oxygenated blood causes the affected part of the heart muscle to die. Coronary Artery Disease often causes blockages due to plaque buildup. Plaque can also break free and cause a blockage in another part of the heart or body. Heart attacks can last for a few minutes or a few hours. Sometimes they can last for several days.

Signs & Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Chest pain may include tightness and pressure. Some victims say it’s like having an elephant sitting on their chest. The pain is steady and will last for at least several minutes. Pain may radiate into the shoulders, arms, upper back, jaw, or teeth. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest

When the victim’s heart is no longer able to pump blood and provide a pulse, the victim is in cardiac arrest and clinically dead. Cardiac arrest can result from a pulseless rhythm, such as Ventricular Fibrillation or Ventricular Tachycardia. It can also occur when the victim has no heart activity, or Asystole (flatline).

Clinical vs. Biological Death

It is essential to act fast! Immediate CPR and Defibrillation within 3-5 minutes will give the victim the best chance of survival.

Clinical Death is when your heart stops pumping blood. Without CPR, Biological Death begins to set in about 4-6 minutes later. Biological Death is when the victim’s brain is damaged and cells in the victim’s heart, brain, and other organs die from a lack of oxygen. The damage caused by Biological Death is irreversible. CPR will provide an oxygen-rich supply of blood to the brain and major organs to prevent the onset of Biological Death. If a victim is resuscitated within the first 4 minutes of cardiac arrest, there is little chance of permanent damage. Between 4 and 6 minutes, Biological Death will set in, and there is a possibility of permanent brain damage. After the onset of Biological Death, that amount of damage will become progressively worse from about 6-11 minutes. After 11 minutes without a supply of oxygen to the brain, the victim will have little chance of survival. These numbers can vary greatly when hypothermia is a factor, especially in the case of a cold water drowning. By providing an oxygen-rich supply of blood to the victim, CPR can postpone the onset of Biological Death until advanced cardiac care can be administered.

Definition/Purpose of CPR

CPR or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation is provided to victims who are in Cardiac Arrest. Rescue Breathing provides oxygen to the bloodstream of a victim who is unable to breathe adequately. Chest compressions circulate the oxygen-rich blood throughout the victim’s body when the heart is unable to pump blood. The purpose of CPR is to provide an oxygen-rich supply of blood to the major organs, to buy time until Defibrillation and Advanced Care can be administered.

How and When to Perform CPR on an Adult

Assess Adult Victim

The ABCs of CPR have been modified and are now "CAB". The focus of CPR will now be on circulation. Studies have shown that the sooner compressions are initiated, the better the victim’s chance of survival. The most recent guidelines emphasize giving compressions with minimal breaks for assessments and providing ventilations. Many of the changes do not apply to professional-level courses. Lay-Rescuers will no longer check for breathing or circulation. There have also been changes in the rate and depth of compressions. Our CPR courses include all of the latest updates.

Determine Responsiveness and Activate EMS

When you observe the victim, the first thing to do is determine if he or she is conscious. If the victim is alert but experiencing possible signs and symptoms of a heart attack, tell the victim to lie down or sit quietly and call 911. To do this, simply shake the victim and ask loudly, “Are you okay?” Look, listen, and feel for signs of normal breathing. Ignore agonal/gasping breaths. If no response and the victim is not breathing, act immediately. If you are alone with no mobile phone, leave the victim to activate the emergency response system and get the AED (if available) before returning to your victim and beginning CPR as quickly as possible. If you are not alone, have someone else activate EMS immediately. Single someone out and instruct him or her to “CALL 911, tell them we have an unconscious victim, and come back. Do you understand?” If they do not respond, be sure to send someone else.

Assessment of Breathing and Circulation in Adults

To check for signs of circulation, find the carotid artery and check for a pulse for a full 10 seconds. The carotid can easily be located in the victim's neck. It is about an inch away from the cricoid cartilage in a depression on the side of the neck. Also, look for other signs of circulation, such as movement and color.

Prepare the Victim for CPR

You must perform CPR on a hard, flat surface. If a victim is in a bed, you must place a backboard beneath the victim or move the victim to the floor. Remove the victim’s clothing as necessary. Do not attempt to perform CPR through clothing.

Performing CPR on an Adult

Begin Adult CPR

If the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, begin CPR. Take your hand from the top of the victim’s head and place the heel of your palm on the lower half of the sternum between the victim's nipples. Now take your other hand, place it over the hand on the victim's chest, and interlock your fingers. Position yourself so that your arms are perpendicular to the victim. Compress the victim’s chest at least 2 inches or 5cm. Compress at a rate of 100-120 per minute. Be sure to push hard and fast. Perform 30 compressions and then give 2 breaths. After 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths, reassess the victim starting with a pulse check. If necessary, continue CPR with a compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2 and reassess after every 5 cycles.

To give rescue breaths, start by opening the victim’s airway. This is done with the head tilt/chin lift. Place your hand on the victim’s forehead while gently lifting the victim's chin with 2 fingers from your other hand. While you can’t swallow your tongue, when unconscious, it can fall to the back of the mouth and block the victim’s airway. Sometimes the head tilt/chin lift will cause spontaneous respirations.

Spinal/Cervical Injury

If you suspect a spinal or cervical injury, do not perform a head tilt/chin lift. Open the airway with the “Jaw Thrust Maneuver”. With the heels of your palms, stabilize the victim’s head. Then place the middle two fingers of each hand under the bony projection of the jaw below each ear. Then thrust the jaw upward without moving the victim’s head. This will effectively open the victim’s airway.

Rescue Breathing

If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, provide rescue breathing at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds. The breaths should be sufficient to make the chest rise and be delivered over 1 ½ - 2 seconds. Deliver 10 rescue breaths (about 1 minute). Then reassess the victim, beginning with a pulse check.

IMPORTANT: Be careful not to breathe with too much force or volume. This will cause abdominal distension. The victim’s abdomen will swell and make it difficult to ventilate.

Reassessment and Recovery

Reassess Victim

Starting with a pulse check, you should reassess the victim after every 5 cycles of CPR (about 2 minutes) or after every 10 rescue breaths (about 1 minute). If the victim has no pulse, continue CPR. If the victim has a pulse, check for breathing. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, provide 1 minute of rescue breathing (10 breaths), then reassess. If breathing and circulation are present, reassess the victim every 1-2 minutes.

Recovery Position

If you do not suspect a spinal or cervical injury, place the victim on their side with their head resting on their shoulder as illustrated below. This will prevent the victim from aspirating vomit and allow you to easily monitor breathing and circulation.

Child CPR

Assess Child Victim

For the purposes of CPR, a victim is considered a child from the age of 1 until the onset of puberty. Children go into cardiac arrest for different reasons than adults. Child victims generally suffer Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest, which is caused by a lack of oxygen (Respiratory Arrest). Ventilations are extremely important in pediatric resuscitation. You must move quickly because a child victim is in need of oxygen.

Determine Responsiveness and Activate EMS

When you observe the child victim, the first thing to do is determine if they are conscious. To do this, shake the victim and ask loudly, "Are you okay?” Look, listen, and feel for signs of normal breathing. Ignore agonal/gasping breaths. If no response and the victim is not breathing, act immediately. If you witness the collapse and are alone with no mobile phone, leave the victim to activate the emergency response system and get the AED (if available) before returning to your victim and beginning CPR as quickly as possible. If you did not witness the collapse, provide 2 minutes of CPR before leaving the victim to activate 911. If you are not alone, have someone else activate EMS immediately. Single someone out and instruct them to “CALL 911, tell them we have an unconscious victim, and come back. Do you understand?” If they do not respond, be sure to send someone else.

Assessment of Breathing and Circulation in Children

To check for signs of circulation, find the carotid artery and check for a pulse for a full 10 seconds. Locate the carotid in the victim's neck. It is about an inch away from the cricoid cartilage in a depression on the side of the neck. Also, look for other signs of circulation, such as movement and color.

Prepare Child Victim

You must perform CPR on a hard, flat surface. If you suspect spinal or cervical injury, support the neck and spine as you move the victim. If the child is in a bed, you must place a backboard beneath them or move them to the floor. Remove the victim’s clothing as necessary. Do not attempt to perform CPR through clothing.

How to Perform CPR on a Child

Begin CPR

If the child is not breathing and has no pulse, begin CPR. Take your hand from the top of the child’s head and place the heel of your palm on the lower half of the sternum between the nipples. Leave your other hand positioned on the child's forehead. Position yourself so that the arm you are using for compressions is perpendicular to the victim. Compress the child victim’s chest about 2” or 1/3 the depth of the body cavity. Compress at a rate of 100-120 per minute. Be sure to push hard and fast. Perform 30 compressions and then give 2 breaths. After 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths, reassess the child, starting with a pulse check. If necessary, continue CPR.

Spinal/Cervical Injury

If you suspect a spinal or cervical injury, do not perform a head tilt/chin lift. Open the airway with the “Jaw Thrust Maneuver”. With the heels of your palms, stabilize the victim’s head. Then place the middle two fingers of each hand under the bony projection of the jaw below each ear. Then thrust the jaw upward without moving the victim’s head. This will effectively open the victim’s airway.

Rescue Breathing on a Child

If the child victim has a pulse but is not breathing, provide rescue breathing at a rate of 1 breath every 3-5 seconds. The breaths should be sufficient to make the chest rise and be delivered over 1 ½ - 2 seconds. Deliver rescue breaths for about 1 minute, then reassess the victim beginning with a pulse check.

Reassessment and Recovery

Reassessment

Beginning with a pulse check, you should reassess the victim after every 5 cycles of CPR (about 2 minutes) or after every 1 minute of rescue breathing. If the victim has no pulse, continue CPR. If the victim has a pulse, check for breathing. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, provide 1 minute of rescue breathing and reassess. If breathing and circulation are present, reassess the victim every 1-2 minutes.

Recovery Position

If you do not suspect a spinal or cervical injury, place the victim on his or her side with their head resting on their shoulder as illustrated below. This will prevent the victim from aspirating any vomit and allow you to easily monitor for breathing and circulation.

Infant CPR

Assess an Infant Victim

For the purposes of CPR, a victim is considered an infant when they are under the age of 1. Infants, like children, go into cardiac arrest for different reasons than adults. Child victims generally suffer Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest, which is caused by a lack of oxygen. Ventilations are extremely important in pediatric resuscitation. You must move quickly because the victim is in need of oxygen.

Determine Responsiveness and Activate EMS

When you observe the victim, the first thing to do is determine if he or she is conscious. To do this, tap the infant on the shoulders and chest. You may also smack the infant's feet or "flick" them with your fingers. DO NOT SHAKE THE INFANT! Look for signs of normal breathing. Ignore agonal/gasping breaths. If no response and the victim is not breathing, act immediately. If you witness the collapse and are alone with no mobile phone, leave the victim to activate the emergency response system and get the AED (if available) before returning to your victim and beginning CPR as quickly as possible. If you did not witness the collapse, provide 2 minutes of CPR before leaving the victim to activate 911. If you are not alone, have someone else activate EMS immediately. Single someone out and instruct them to “CALL 911, tell them we have an unconscious victim, and come back. Do you understand?” If they do not respond, be sure to send someone else.

Assessment of Breathing and Circulation in Infants

To check for signs of circulation, find the brachial artery. This is located in the upper aspect of the arm between the bicep and triceps muscles. You may also use the femoral artery located in the groin area. Also, look for other signs of circulation, such as movement and color.

How to Perform CPR on an Infant

Begin Infant CPR

If the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, begin CPR. Leave one hand on the top of the victim’s head. Place the middle 2 fingers of your other hand on the center of the victim's chest, just below the nipple line. Compress the victim's chest 1.5 inches, about 1/3 the depth of the chest cavity. Compress at a rate of 100-120 per minute. Perform 30 compressions and then give 2 breaths. After 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths, reassess the victim starting with a pulse check. If necessary, continue CPR with a compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2 and reassess after every 5 cycles.

Spinal/Cervical Injury

If you suspect a spinal or cervical injury, do not perform a head tilt/chin lift. Open the airway with the “Jaw Thrust Maneuver”. With the heels of your palms, stabilize the victim’s head. Then place the middle two fingers of each hand under the bony projection of the jaw below each ear. Then thrust the jaw upward without moving the victim’s head. This will effectively open the victim’s airway.

Rescue Breathing

IMPORTANT: If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, provide rescue breathing at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds. The breaths should be sufficient to make the chest rise and be delivered over 1 ½ - 2 seconds. Deliver 10 rescue breaths (about 1 minute). Then reassess the victim, starting this time with a pulse check.

Be careful not to breathe with too much force or volume. This will cause abdominal distension. The victim’s abdomen will swell and make it difficult to ventilate.

Infant Reassessment

Starting with a pulse check, you should reassess the victim after every 5 cycles of CPR (about 2 minutes) or after every 10 rescue breaths (about 1 minute). If the victim has no pulse, continue CPR. If the victim has a pulse, check for breathing. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, provide 1 minute of rescue breathing (10 breaths) and reassess. If breathing and circulation are present, reassess the victim every 1-2 minutes.

Recovery Position for an Infant

You may pick up the infant and cradle the victim on his or her side. This will prevent the victim from aspirating any vomit and allow you to easily monitor for breathing and circulation. You may also move the victim.

2-Rescuer CPR

2-Rescuer CPR is more efficient and most likely what you will be using in a hospital situation. There are several benefits of 2-Rescuer CPR. Having 2 rescuers can greatly minimize delays between sets of compressions. Another benefit is that we can tell if the compressions are effective by checking the carotid during compressions. One rescuer will perform ventilations, and the other will perform compressions if necessary. The rescuer giving ventilations will be in charge. He or she will assess the victim and inform the other rescuer whether CPR is required and whether compressions are effective. It is important to communicate during 2-Rescuer CPR. Talk out loud, especially during compressions, so there is no confusion between the rescuers.

2-Rescuer Sequence

Rescuer 1

• Assess the victim and provide rescue ventilations if necessary.
• Check the carotid artery for effective compressions. Good compressions will cause a rush of blood through the carotid. If not, instruct the other rescuer to go deeper or re-landmark.
• Reassess the victim. Check for a pulse. If no pulse, instruct the other rescuer: “No pulse, continue CPR”.

Rescuer 2

• Provide compressions. Maintain hand position on the victim's chest at all times, but do not press on the victim's chest while the other rescuer is ventilating the victim, unless the victim is intubated.
• Count out loud. Let the other rescuer know exactly where you are (what compression/cycle)

Changing Position

Eventually, the rescuer doing compressions will become tired. At that point, they might want to change positions with the other rescuer. It is up to the rescuer performing compressions, Rescuer 2, to request a change.

Rescuer 2

• Call for change at the start of a compression cycle by saying “change, two, three, four…….. thirty”.
• After completing the cycle, move up into position to provide rescue ventilations.
• Reassess the victim and tell the other rescuer if CPR is necessary.

Rescuer 1

• After the other rescuer completes compressions, finish the cycle by providing 2 ventilations.
• Switch positions with the other rescuer.
• Place your hands on the victim's chest and wait for the other rescuer to reassess the victim and tell you if CPR is necessary.

2-Rescuer CPR on a Child or Infant

2-Rescuer CPR for children and infants is usually only done in a hospital setting. For children, the ratio of compressions to ventilations changes to 15:2. All other aspects are exactly the same for children and adults. For infants, 2 rescuer CPR is only done when the victim is intubated or when an infant-sized bag-valve mask is in place. During 2-Rescuer CPR on an infant, compressions are performed by encircling the victim's chest with both hands and compressing with your thumbs.

Automated External Defibrillator | AED

What is an AED?

The AED or Automated External Defibrillator is the single most important advancement in saving victims of sudden cardiac arrest. How and when to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) in conjunction with CPR, to assist a heart attack victim. An AED will only work on victims with a shockable rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. When one of these pulseless rhythms is detected, the AED will provide an electrical shock intended to stop all heart activity and allow the heart to resume normal function on its own. It’s important to note that an AED stops the victim's heart. It does not jump-start it. This is why it is important to attach an AED and shock the victim quickly. If the victim is not shocked within the first 5 minutes, then the chance of survival will go down 50%.

An AED Kit Should Include:

• AED
• Pads (Adult and Child)
• Towel – To dry the victim if wet
• Scissors – To remove clothing
• Razor – To remove excess chest hair

How to use an AED on an Adult

The AED should be placed next to the victim’s head, on the same side of the victim as you. If you have completed the ABCs and found no signs of circulation, turn on the AED. If you have already begun CPR at the time the AED arrives, you must STOP CPR IMMEDIATELY. Do not complete your cycle. At this point, the AED takes precedence over CPR. The AED had both visual and voice prompts. As soon as you turn the unit on, it will tell you exactly what to do. First, place the pads on the victim’s bare chest. The pads have an illustration that shows the correct placement. Only use adult AED pads. Do not use child pads on an adult. One pad should be placed on the victim's upper right section of the chest, just below the collarbone. The other pad should be placed on the victim’s side, just below the left armpit. Plug the pad connector into the AED. Then stand clear, the AED will analyze the victim. If shock is advised, the AED will charge and tell you to “press the shock button”. Then it will pause and allow you to perform CPR for 2 minutes. This will provide oxygenated blood to the major organs and sustain the victim. After about 2 minutes, the AED will analyze the victim and provide another shock if needed. The AED will repeat the sequence until EMS arrives.

AED Sequence

How to Use an AED on a Child

Using an AED on a child is the same as using it on an adult, with only a few minor differences. Do not turn on the AED until AFTER 5 cycles of CPR to the victim to ensure that the victim has a good supply of oxygenated blood. Use pediatric AED pads if they are available. Pad placement: one pad in the front center of the chest and a second pad on the victim's back, between the shoulder blades.

Choking | Heimlich Maneuver

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction | FBAO

Choking or Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO) occurs when food or some other foreign object occludes the airway and prevents air from moving in and out. Generally, the obstruction will become lodged in the opening of the trachea and not inside the trachea.

Types of Obstructions

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction can be broken down into 3 categories. These are complete airway obstruction, partial airway obstruction with poor air exchange, and partial airway obstruction with good air exchange.

• Partial Obstruction – Good Air Exchange: The victim can speak. Let them relieve the obstruction on their own.
• Partial Obstruction – Poor Air Exchange: The victim can’t speak, very little air is moving, and coughing is silent and ineffective. The victim requires assistance.
• Complete Obstruction: The victim can’t speak, and no air is moving. The victim can’t cough. The victim requires immediate assistance.

Heimlich Maneuver

The Heimlich Maneuver relieves the obstruction by taking residual air from the victim’s lungs and forcing it out. This is similar to taking an empty soda bottle, placing a cork in the opening, and smashing the sides of the bottle. The force of the air in the bottle will send the cork flying, just like the force of the residual air in a victim’s lungs will send the obstruction soaring.

Adult/Child - Conscious

If you see someone giving the universal sign for choking or you suspect that he or she is choking, do the following. Ask the victim, “Are you choking?” If they acknowledge that they are, then ask them, “Can you speak?” If they cannot speak, the obstruction will need to be relieved. You now need to get permission to help the victim. Tell the victim, “I’ve been trained, I’m going to help you.” If the victim refuses your help, you must back off. If the victim becomes unconscious, then it is implied consent.

Get behind the victim, place one leg between the victim’s legs, and take a wide stance. Wrap your arms around the victim’s abdomen. With one hand, make a fist. Place it just above the victim’s navel with your knuckles facing up. With the other hand, grab your fist and thrust inward and upward. The obstruction should come out within the first few thrusts. Look to see if the obstruction is relieved after every 5 thrusts. Continue these abdominal thrusts until the obstruction is relieved or the victim becomes unconscious.

Adult/Child - Unconscious

When a conscious choking victim becomes unconscious, begin CPR immediately. If you’re not alone, send someone to activate EMS. Healthcare Providers should perform 2 minutes of CPR before leaving the victim to activate EMS. The first thing you should do to the victim is the “Tongue Jaw Lift”. With your index finger under the victim’s chin, place your thumb in the victim’s mouth just far enough to grab the jaw and lift it up. This will allow you to see into the victim’s mouth and perhaps see the obstruction. If you see an object, remove it. NEVER DO A BLIND FINGER SWEEP ON A CHILD OR INFANT. Then attempt to open the victim’s airway with the Head Tilt Chin Lift and give a breath. If it doesn’t go in, reposition the head and give another breath. If that does not go in, continue CPR for another 2 minutes.

Infant Victim - Conscious

Infants are not able to tell us that they are choking. When an infant is choking, he or she will kick, thrash, and try to scream. No sound will come out, and they will quickly become cyanotic (bluish discoloration of the skin). We cannot do the Heimlich Maneuver on an infant. Pick up the infant and turn him or her upside down. While resting your arm against your leg as shown in the illustration, hold the victim with their face down. Give 5 back blows between the victim's shoulder blades. Then flip the victim over and give 5 chest thrusts by compressing in the same place we did compressions during CPR. Continue to give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts until the obstruction is relieved or the victim becomes unconscious.

Infant Victim - Unconscious

When a conscious choking victim becomes unconscious, begin CPR immediately. If you’re not alone, send someone to activate EMS. Healthcare Providers should perform 2 minutes of CPR before leaving the victim to activate EMS. During ventilations, open the victim’s mouth to check for foreign objects and obstructions. If you see an object, remove it. Studies have shown that chest compressions are more effective than abdominal thrusts to dislodge a foreign object from an obstructed airway. NEVER DO A BLIND FINGER SWEEP ON A CHILD OR INFANT. Continue CPR until EMS arrives or the victim is responsive.

Unconscious Infant Sequence

• Open and look (Tongue Jaw Lift)
• Remove the object if you see it.
• Tilt victim’s head (Head Tilt Chin Lift)
• Breathe
• Reposition (only if breath does not go in)
• Breathe
• 5 Back blows
• 5 Chest Thrusts

Important Considerations

Special Situations

Real-world emergencies often take place in “less-than-ideal” situations. If you are in a remote location, you may be unable to activate EMS quickly. In the case of an accident, fire, or with multiple victims, you may need to improvise. Priority should be given to the safety of yourself and other rescuers. The important thing is that you do what you can do and be sure to stay within your level of training. We hope that if you are faced with an emergency situation, you can take what you have learned in this course and apply it to the best of your ability.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) | Calling 911

Activate EMS immediately if someone is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack or if they are unconscious. Dial 911 or your local EMS department. Do not attempt to drive the victim to the hospital. Do not attempt to drive yourself if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of a heart attack.

Medical Legal Aspects

• Good Samaritan - Most states have enacted Good Samaritan laws. These laws will protect you as long as you do not go beyond your level of training, act in good faith, do not accept ANYTHING for your services, and do not abandon your victim once you initiate care.
• Permission to treat a victim - When a victim is conscious, permission is required to treat or assist them. When a victim is unconscious, then there is “Implied Consent” and you may treat/assist the victim.
• Duty to Act - If you are required to take a CPR class and possess a current CPR card, then you have a Duty to Act while at work. You are not required to perform CPR at any other time.
• Medications - Administering medication to a victim is generally not covered by Good Samaritan laws. It is not advisable to administer any medications to a victim.

PPE | Personal Protective Equipment

Always protect yourself. Use a barrier device such as a mask with a one-way valve or bag valve mask. Always follow Universal Precautions.

While Assessing the Victim or Providing First Aid

• Follow all Universal Precautions
• Wear PPE, including an N95 mask and gloves
• If possible, have the victim wear a mask
• Keep onlookers at least 6 feet from you and the victim
• Limit unnecessary contact with the victim

While Performing CPR

• Follow all Universal Precautions
• Wear PPE, including an N95 mask and gloves
• Use a bag valve mask or barrier device
• If a bag valve mask or barrier device is not available, perform Compression-Only CPR
• Keep onlookers at least 6 feet from you and the victim
• Limit unnecessary contact with the victim

After Providing CPR or First Aid

• Wash your hands and all exposed skin surfaces with soap and hot water as soon as possible
• Dispose of used PPE accordingly
• Sanitize non-disposable protective gear and clothing
• Sanitize surfaces that may have been exposed
• Monitor yourself for symptoms if you know or suspect you have been in contact with a person who has a specific illness.

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Ready for the Test?