AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED study guide
AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course teaches participants to provide first aid, perform CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) safely and effectively. It is designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs an OSHA-compliant course completion card, or for anyone who simply wants to be ready to respond in an emergency. The AHA advises contacting your employer to confirm you are selecting the correct course. Content is organized around three skill areas - first aid, CPR, and AED use - and every course option teaches the same AHA science-based skills and results in the same AHA Course Completion Card, valid for two years. Topics on this exam: First Aid, CPR, and AED. The AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED study guide has 3 sections and about 1,131 words.
01First Aid: Assessment, Bleeding, Shock, and Medical Emergencies
Every first aid response starts with scene safety: look for traffic, fire, downed wires, or hazards before you approach, and use gloves or a barrier when available. Then check responsiveness (tap and shout) and breathing. A person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally needs CPR and an AED - that decision belongs to the CPR domain, but the first aid candidate must recognize it. Control life-threatening bleeding with firm, direct pressure using a dressing or clean cloth.
375 words, about 2 min02CPR: Recognition, Compressions, and Rescue Breaths
The core recognition rule: if a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally (including gasping), start CPR and get an AED. Gasping is a common trap - it is not normal breathing and does not mean you should wait. Adult compressions are delivered on the lower half of the breastbone (center of the chest), at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep, at a rate of 100–120 per minute, with full recoil between compressions. Minimize interruptions.
363 words, about 2 min03AED: Safe Use, Pads, and Special Situations
An AED analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers a shock only when a shockable rhythm is detected. Survival improves with early CPR and early defibrillation, so the AED should be applied as soon as it is available - do not wait to finish a cycle of CPR first if the device is on hand. Turn the AED on and follow its voice prompts. Bare and dry the chest, then attach pads to the upper right chest and the lower left side (or as pictured on the pads).
393 words, about 2 min