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Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED — Exam A
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Before you begin
Welcome to your Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED class. Work through the sections below (add your own videos and images as needed), then complete the 15-question knowledge check at the bottom. A score of 80% or higher is passing.
Overview
The Chain of Survival
Cardiac arrest survival depends on fast, connected actions.
- Recognize the emergency and phone 9-1-1 (get an AED).
- Start high-quality CPR right away.
- Use an AED as soon as it arrives.
- Hand off to EMS / advanced care.
Every minute without CPR and defibrillation lowers the chance of survival. Acting immediately is what saves lives.
Step 1
Assess & activate
Make sure the scene is safe, then check the person.
- Tap and shout — "Are you okay?"
- Look for no breathing or only gasping (gasping is not normal breathing).
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally:
- Shout for help. Phone (or have someone phone) 9-1-1 and get an AED.
- Tell the dispatcher where you are and answer all their questions — don't hang up until told to.
- Start CPR immediately.
Step 2
High-quality CPR — Adults
Give cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths.
Compressions
- Heel of one hand in the center of the chest, other hand on top.
- Push hard and fast: at least 2 inches deep, 100–120 per minute.
- Let the chest fully recoil between pushes and minimize interruptions.
Breaths
- Open the airway — tilt the head, lift the chin.
- With a mask: press it to the face for an airtight seal and give 2 breaths, each making the chest rise (about 1 second each).
Tip
If two rescuers are trained, switch compressors about every 2 minutes to stay strong. Don't stop unless the person moves, an AED is ready to analyze, or help takes over.
Step 3
Using an AED
Use the AED as soon as it arrives — turn it on and follow the voice prompts.
- Power on the AED.
- Attach pads to the person's bare, dry chest (use child pads/settings for a child under 8 or under 55 lbs if available).
- Clear everyone — don't touch the person — while it analyzes.
- If a shock is advised, make sure everyone is clear and press the shock button.
- Immediately resume CPR, starting with compressions. Follow prompts every 2 minutes.
Special cases
Children & Infants — what's different
The basics are the same (30:2, push hard/fast, full recoil, breaths with the airway open). Key differences:
Child (about 1 year to puberty)
- Use one or two hands — compress about 2 inches (about 1/3 the chest depth).
Infant (under 1 year)
- Use 2 fingers (or 2 thumbs encircling) on the center of the chest, just below the nipple line.
- Compress about 1½ inches (about 1/3 the chest depth).
If you're alone
If you didn't see the collapse, give 5 sets (about 2 minutes) of CPR first, then phone 9-1-1 and get an AED. For children and infants, breaths are especially important.
First aid
Choking
Mild block — the person can cough, speak, or breathe: stand by and encourage coughing. Don't interfere.
Severe block — can't cough, speak, or breathe (may clutch the throat):
- Adult or child: give abdominal thrusts (fist just above the navel, quick inward-and-upward thrusts) until the object comes out or the person becomes unresponsive.
- Infant: alternate 5 back slaps (between the shoulder blades) and 5 chest thrusts until the object comes out or the infant becomes unresponsive.
If the person becomes unresponsive: lower them safely, phone 9-1-1, and start CPR — check the mouth for the object before giving breaths and remove it only if you can see it.