Do I need to remove a bra before using an AED?

Yes, if the casualty is wearing a bra with underwire, it should be removed because metal can interfere with the AED's pads and cause arcing. If the bra is not underwired, you may still need to move it to expose the chest for pad placement. Always ensure the chest is bare, dry, and free of any metal or medication patches before applying pads.

Can I use an AED on a child or infant?

Yes, you can use an AED on a child (1-8 years) and an infant (under 1 year). For children, use paediatric pads if available; if not, adult pads can be used but placed on the front and back of the chest to avoid overlap. For infants, manual defibrillation is preferred, but if only an AED is available, use paediatric pads or adult pads with the same front-back placement. Always follow the AED's voice prompts.

What if the casualty has a pacemaker or is pregnant?

If the casualty has a visible pacemaker (a lump under the skin on the chest), do not place the AED pad directly over it. Place the pad at least 8 cm away. For pregnant casualties, the same CPR and AED protocols apply, but you may need to manually displace the uterus to the left to improve blood flow. The AED is safe to use during pregnancy.

How long should I continue CPR before stopping?

Continue CPR until the casualty shows signs of life (e.g., breathing normally, moving), an AED is ready to analyse, emergency services take over, you are physically exhausted, or the scene becomes unsafe. In a healthcare setting, follow local protocols. Do not stop unless you are certain the casualty has recovered or help arrives.

Do I need to give rescue breaths if I'm worried about infection?

If you are untrained or unwilling to give rescue breaths due to infection concerns, compression-only CPR is still effective and recommended. However, if you are trained and have a pocket mask or face shield, use it to reduce risk. For drowning or paediatric arrests, rescue breaths are particularly important. The key is to act – any CPR is better than none.

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing chest pain and damage. The person is usually conscious and breathing. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping effectively due to an electrical malfunction, causing the person to collapse, stop breathing, and become unresponsive. Cardiac arrest requires immediate CPR and defibrillation; a heart attack requires emergency medical treatment.

Basic Life Support and Using an Automated External Defibrillator

FIRST AID AWARDS LTD

vocational

This subtopic focuses on the systematic approach to managing an unresponsive casualty, distinguishing between normal and absent breathing. Learners must demonstrate competence in performing basic life support, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the safe, effective use of an automated external defibrillator in line with current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

FAA Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated External Defibrillator

Topic Overview

The FAA Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a regulated qualification that equips learners with the essential skills to respond to life-threatening emergencies. This course covers the chain of survival, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children, and infants, and the safe operation of an AED. It is a critical component of Health & Social Care, as healthcare professionals, first responders, and even members of the public can significantly increase survival rates from cardiac arrest by acting quickly and confidently.

The qualification is based on the latest UK Resuscitation Council guidelines and emphasises a practical, hands-on approach. Students learn to assess an unconscious casualty, perform high-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths, and use an AED safely and effectively. Understanding these skills is vital in any care setting, from hospitals and care homes to community environments, where early defibrillation can double or triple the chance of survival. This topic also reinforces the importance of teamwork, communication, and following protocols under pressure.

Within the wider Health & Social Care curriculum, this award complements topics such as infection control, health and safety, and person-centred care. It provides a foundation for further qualifications in first aid, emergency response, and advanced life support. Mastery of these skills not only meets regulatory requirements for many healthcare roles but also builds confidence and competence in managing medical emergencies, ultimately saving lives.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Chain of Survival: The four critical steps – early recognition and call for help, early CPR, early defibrillation, and post-resuscitation care – that maximise survival from cardiac arrest.
→DRSABCD: A systematic approach to emergency response: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation.
→High-quality CPR: Compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute, depth of 5-6 cm in adults, allowing full chest recoil, and minimising interruptions.
→Safe AED use: Ensuring the casualty is dry, pads are placed correctly (one on upper right chest, one on lower left side), and no one is touching the casualty during shock delivery.
→Recovery position: Placing an unconscious but breathing casualty on their side to maintain an open airway and allow fluids to drain.

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally, Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally, Know how to safely use an automated external defibrillator, Be able to safely use an automated external defibrillator

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for demonstrating the correct sequence: check for danger, response, shout for help, open airway, check breathing.
Evidence must show accurate placement of AED pads on bare chest without delay and verbalization of safety checks before shock delivery.
In cases of normal breathing, the assessor expects the learner to place the casualty in the recovery position and continuously monitor breathing.
For a non-breathing casualty, credit is given for initiating CPR with correct compression depth, rate, and rescue breath technique, including use of barrier devices.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡During practical assessment, narrate your actions clearly to demonstrate understanding, e.g., 'I am checking for danger, then response, then opening the airway...'
💡Always confirm scene safety before approaching the casualty.
💡When using an AED, ensure no one is touching the casualty during analysis and shock delivery by a loud verbal warning.
💡If uncertain whether breathing is normal, treat as not breathing and commence CPR.
💡Follow the AED voice prompts exactly, even if you think you know the steps.
💡Memorise the DRSABCD algorithm in order and be able to explain each step clearly. Examiners often ask you to 'walk through' an emergency scenario, so practice verbalising your actions.
💡Focus on the practical details: correct hand placement for compressions (centre of chest, lower half of sternum), compression depth and rate, and how to open the airway (head-tilt, chin-lift). These are common assessment points.
💡When using an AED, emphasise safety checks: ensure no one is touching the casualty, the chest is dry, and pads are not touching each other. Mention that the AED will not shock if no shock is advised – this shows understanding of the device's logic.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Failing to call emergency services before starting CPR, especially in a lone rescuer scenario.
Incorrect hand positioning for chest compressions, often too low on the sternum.
Not allowing full chest recoil between compressions.
Placing AED pads over medication patches or a pacemaker without recognition.
Forgetting to resume CPR immediately after shock delivery as per AED prompts.
Misconception: You can be sued for using an AED incorrectly. Correction: In the UK, the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act 2015 protects individuals who act reasonably and in good faith to help others in an emergency. AEDs are designed for use by untrained bystanders, with clear voice prompts.
Misconception: CPR should be stopped to check for signs of life frequently. Correction: Once CPR is started, it should continue with minimal interruptions (less than 10 seconds) until the casualty shows signs of life, an AED is ready to analyse, or emergency services take over. Frequent pauses reduce survival chances.
Misconception: You should give two rescue breaths before starting chest compressions. Correction: For adult CPR, the sequence is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. However, if you are untrained or unwilling to give breaths, compression-only CPR is still effective and recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of human anatomy, particularly the heart and lungs, is helpful but not essential.
•Familiarity with health and safety principles, such as infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE), supports safe practice.
•No formal prerequisites, but learners should be physically able to perform CPR (e.g., kneeling, compressing) and have good communication skills.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally, Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally, Know how to safely use an automated external defibrillator, Be able to safely use an automated external defibrillator

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Basic Life Support and Using an Automated External Defibrillator

Assessment criteria

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

Learning Objectives

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

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