AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Adult compression depth

Push down at least 2 inches (5 cm) on the center of the adult chest, allowing full recoil after each compression.

Compression rate

Deliver compressions at 100 to 120 per minute for all ages, roughly the tempo of the song 'Stayin' Alive.'

CPR ratio

Use 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths for adults, children, and infants, whether one or two rescuers are present.

Agonal gasps

Occasional, irregular gasps are not normal breathing; an unresponsive person with agonal gasps should be treated as being in cardiac arrest.

Hands-only CPR

Compression-only CPR without breaths is acceptable for untrained or reluctant bystanders responding to an adult who suddenly collapses.

Child compression technique

For a child, compress about one-third the chest depth (about 2 inches) using one or two hands, depending on the child's size.

Infant compression technique

For an infant, use two fingers on the lower half of the breastbone as one rescuer, or two thumbs encircling as two rescuers.

Compressor rotation

Switch rescuers about every 2 minutes to prevent fatigue, keeping interruptions in chest compressions under 10 seconds.

Unresponsive check

Tap and shout to check responsiveness; if the person does not respond and is not breathing normally, call EMS and start CPR.

AED first step

Turn the AED on and follow its voice prompts; the device analyzes the heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is needed.

Adult pad placement

Place one pad on the upper right chest and the other on the lower left side of the chest, following the pictures on the pads.

Pediatric AED use

Use pediatric pads or a pediatric attenuator for children under 8 years or under about 55 lb when available; otherwise use adult pads.

Clear before shock

Before delivering a shock, call 'clear' and make sure no one is touching the person or their clothing and equipment.

Implanted device caution

If a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator is visible under the skin, place the AED pad at least 1 inch away from the device.

Wet chest handling

Move the person out of standing water and quickly dry the chest before applying AED pads so the shock is not conducted across wet skin.

Post-shock action

Immediately resume chest compressions after a shock and continue CPR until the AED reanalyzes or EMS takes over.

Hairy chest pads

If pads will not stick to a hairy chest, quickly shave the area or apply and remove a set of pads, then use fresh pads.

Direct pressure bleeding

Apply firm, continuous pressure with a dressing or clean cloth to control severe bleeding, adding layers if blood soaks through.

Burn cooling

Cool a burn with cool running water for at least 10 minutes, then cover loosely with a sterile nonstick dressing; never apply ice.

Adult choking response

For an adult or child who cannot speak, cough, or breathe, give abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.

Infant choking response

For a choking infant under 1 year, give 5 back slaps followed by 5 chest thrusts, alternating, while supporting the head.

F.A.S.T. stroke screen

Check Face drooping, Arm weakness, and Speech difficulty; any positive sign means Time to call EMS immediately.

Spinal injury handling

Keep the head and neck in line with the body and avoid unnecessary movement unless the scene is unsafe or the airway is threatened.

Anaphylaxis response

For hives with facial or throat swelling and trouble breathing after an exposure, help the person use their epinephrine auto-injector and call EMS.

Diabetic emergency

If a conscious person with low blood sugar can swallow, give sugar such as juice or glucose gel; if unresponsive, give nothing by mouth and call EMS.

Scene safety first

Before helping any victim, check for traffic, fire, water, electricity, and hazardous materials so you do not become a second victim.

Activating EMS

Call or send someone to call EMS early; give the location, what happened, the number of victims, and your callback number.

Rescue breath volume

Give each rescue breath over about 1 second, just enough to make the chest rise visibly, and avoid overinflating the lungs.

AED on metal surface

An AED may be used on a metal surface if the person is not in contact with standing water and no one touches the person during the shock.

AED pad contact

Pads must adhere firmly to bare, dry skin; poor contact can cause the AED to fail to analyze the rhythm or deliver a shock.

Two-rescuer infant CPR

In two-rescuer infant CPR, use the two-thumb encircling technique with 30 compressions to 2 breaths, switching roles about every 2 minutes.

Naloxone use

For suspected opioid overdose with slow or absent breathing, give naloxone if available and start CPR or rescue breathing while waiting for EMS.