Week 8: Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:

• Explain what CPR is.
• Explain what First Aid is.
• Describe the purpose of an AED.
• Recognize life-threatening emergencies.
• Understand the skills you will practice.
• Feel prepared for the hands-on skills assessment.

What is CPR?

CPR = Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure used when a person's heart has stopped beating or they are not breathing normally.

CPR helps by:

• Keeping blood moving to the brain
• Delivering oxygen to vital organs
• Increasing the chance of survival until advanced medical care arrives

Remember:� CPR does not restart the heart. It helps keep the body alive until an AED or advanced medical care can restore a normal heart rhythm when possible.

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When is CPR Needed?

CPR should be started when a person:

• Is unresponsive
• Is not breathing normally
• Is only gasping
• Shows no signs of life

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Examples include:

• Sudden cardiac arrest
• Drowning
• Electrocution
• Drug overdose
• Severe trauma

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What is First Aid?

First Aid is the immediate care given to someone who is injured or suddenly becomes ill until professional medical help is available.

The goals of First Aid are to:

• Preserve life
• Prevent the condition from getting worse
• Promote recovery

Examples of First Aid

You may provide First Aid for:

• Bleeding
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Sprains
• Seizures
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Hypothermia
• Allergic reactions
• Diabetic emergencies
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Shock

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What is an AED?

AED = Automated External Defibrillator

An AED is a portable device used to help someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

The AED:

• Analyzes the heart rhythm
• Determines if a shock is needed
• Gives step-by-step voice instructions
• Helps restore a normal heart rhythm in some cases

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Why is an AED Important?

Every minute without CPR and defibrillation decreases the chance of survival.

The sooner CPR begins and an AED is used:

• The greater the chance of survival
• The less damage occurs to the brain
• The better the overall outcome

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The Cardiac Chain of Survival

1. Recognize the emergency.
2. Call 911 and get an AED.
3. Begin high-quality CPR.
4. Use the AED as soon as it is available.
5. Advanced medical care.
6. Recovery and rehabilitation.

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What Will You Learn Today?

You will practice:

• Scene safety
• Checking responsiveness
• Calling for help
• Adult CPR
• Child CPR
• Infant CPR
• AED use
• Choking care
• First Aid skills

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Scene Safety

Before helping:

• Make sure the area is safe.
• Protect yourself.
• Protect the victim.
• Look for hazards.

Never become another victim.

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Recognizing Cardiac Arrest

Look for:

• No response
• No normal breathing
• Gasping only
• No signs of life

If these signs are present:

• Call 911.
• Get an AED.
• Begin CPR immediately.

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Adult CPR

Adult CPR Review

Adult CPR: Step 1 – Ensure Scene Safety

Before approaching:

• Look for hazards (traffic, fire, electrical wires, violence, chemicals, water)
• Protect yourself first.
• If the scene is unsafe, do not enter.
• If safe, approach the victim.

Remember: You cannot help if you become injured.

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Adult CPR: Step 2 – Check Responsiveness

1. Tap the person's shoulders.
2. Shout:��� "Are you okay?"��

If there is no response:

• Call for help.
• Send someone to call 911.
• Ask someone to bring the AED.

If alone:

• Follow your training for activating EMS and retrieving an AED as appropriate for the situation.

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Adult CPR: Step 3 – Check Breathing

Look for:

• Normal breathing
• Chest rise

Do not mistake occasional gasping for normal breathing.

If the victim is:

• Not breathing
• Only gasping

Begin CPR immediately.

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Adult CPR: Hand Placement

Locate the center of the chest.

Place:

• Heel of one hand on the center of the chest (lower half of the breastbone).
• Place the second hand on top.
• Interlock your fingers.
• Lift fingers off the ribs if possible.

Keep pressure only on the breastbone.

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Adult CPR: Body Position

Proper body mechanics:

• Kneel close to the victim.
• Shoulders directly over your hands.
• Arms straight.
• Lock your elbows.
• Use your body weight—not just your arms—to compress.

This reduces fatigue and helps achieve effective compressions.

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Adult CPR: Compression Rate

Maintain:

100–120 compressions per minute

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Compress the chest approximately:

At least 2 inches (about 5 cm)

Avoid:

• Compressing too shallow
• Compressing excessively deep

Allow full recoil after every compression.

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Adult CPR: Rescue Breaths

When providing breaths:

• Open the airway.
• Seal over the victim's mouth.
• Deliver each breath over about 1 second.
• Watch for visible chest rise.

Avoid excessive ventilation.

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Adult CPR Cycle

Continue alternating:

• 30 chest compressions
• 2 rescue breaths

Continue until:

• AED arrives
• EMS takes over
• The person shows signs of life
• You are unable to continue safely

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Using the AED

When the AED arrives:

1. Turn it on.
2. Follow the prompts.
3. Expose the chest.
4. Attach pads correctly.
5. Ensure no one is touching the patient during analysis.
6. Deliver a shock only if advised.
7. Resume CPR immediately after the shock or if no shock is advised.

Remember:� Do not delay CPR while preparing the AED.

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AED Pad Placement for Adults

Place one pad:

• On the upper right chest, just below the collarbone.

Place the second pad:

• On the lower left side of the chest, below the armpit.

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Safety Considerations

Before pressing the shock button:

✔ Ensure everyone is clear.

Say loudly:

"I'm clear! You're clear! Everybody's clear!"

Visually confirm no one is touching the patient.

Never touch the patient during rhythm analysis or shock delivery.

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Child CPR

Child CPR

Hand Placement

Depends on the size of the child.

Use:

• One hand for smaller children.
• Two hands for larger children if needed.

Hands remain centered on the breastbone.

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Compression Depth

Compress approximately:

About 2 inches (5 cm), or one-third the depth of the chest

Compression Rate

Maintain:

100–120 compressions per minute

Allow full chest recoil.

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Infant CPR

Hand Placement

Use:

• Two fingers placed just below the nipple line on the breastbone (single rescuer technique).

If two trained rescuers are present, another technique may be taught during the course.

Compression Depth

Compress:

About 1½ inches (4 cm), or one-third the depth of the chest

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Rescue Breaths

Cover:

• Infant's mouth and nose

Deliver:

• Gentle breaths
• Just enough to make the chest rise

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AED Pad Placement for Infants

• Front and Back

High-Quality CPR Checklist

Students should remember:

✅ Scene is safe

✅ Check responsiveness

✅ Call 911/Get AED

✅ Check breathing

✅ Start compressions immediately

✅ Correct hand placement

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✅ Correct compression depth

✅ Correct compression rate

✅ Full chest recoil

✅ Minimal interruptions

✅ Proper rescue breaths

✅ Use AED as soon as it arrives

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Choking Emergencies

What is Choking?

Choking occurs when an object blocks the airway, preventing normal breathing.

Without quick action, choking can become life-threatening.

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Signs of Mild vs. Severe Choking

Mild Airway Obstruction

The person can:

• Cough forcefully.
• Speak.
• Breathe.

Encourage them to continue coughing.

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Severe Airway Obstruction

The person:

• Cannot speak.
• Cannot cough effectively.
• Cannot breathe.
• May clutch their throat (universal choking sign).
• May develop bluish lips or skin.

Act immediately.

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Caring for a Conscious Choking Adult or Child

If the person cannot cough or speak:

1. Ask, "Are you choking?"
2. Call 911 or direct someone to call.
3. Provide abdominal thrusts if indicated by your training.
4. Continue until:
• The object is expelled.
• The person begins breathing.
• The person becomes unresponsive.

If the person becomes unresponsive, begin CPR and follow your training for managing an unresponsive choking victim.

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Caring for a Choking Infant

Infants require a different technique.

Provide alternating:

• Back blows.
• Chest thrusts.
• Carefully remove object with finger.

Continue until:

• The object is removed.
• The infant begins breathing.
• The infant becomes unresponsive.

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Choking Prevention

Reduce choking risks by:

• Cutting food into small pieces.
• Supervising young children during meals.
• Keeping small objects away from infants and toddlers.
• Chewing food thoroughly.
• Avoiding talking or laughing with food in your mouth.

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First Aid

First Aid

First Aid is the immediate care given to someone who is injured or suddenly becomes ill until professional medical help arrives.

The Three Goals of First Aid

1. Preserve life.
2. Prevent the condition from worsening.
3. Promote recovery.

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Primary Assessment

Before providing First Aid:

• Ensure the scene is safe.
• Introduce yourself if the person is responsive.
• Obtain consent if appropriate.
• Check for life-threatening conditions.
• Call 911 when needed.

Always prioritize life-threatening problems first.

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Severe Bleeding

Signs

• Blood that will not stop.
• Large amounts of blood.
• Spurting blood.

Care

• Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean dressing or cloth.
• Maintain pressure until EMS arrives or the bleeding is controlled.
• Add additional dressings if blood soaks through; do not remove the original dressing.

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First Aid Review

Remember the priorities:

✔ Keep yourself safe.

✔ Recognize the emergency.

✔ Call 911 when appropriate.

✔ Provide care within the scope of your training.

✔ Continue to monitor the person until EMS arrives.

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