What is the difference between anaphylaxis and a severe allergic reaction?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that involves two or more body systems (e.g., skin and respiratory) or a sudden drop in blood pressure. A severe allergic reaction may be limited to one system, like widespread hives, but anaphylaxis always requires immediate adrenaline. In practice, if you suspect anaphylaxis, treat it as such – do not wait for all symptoms to appear.

Can I use an adult AED on a child or infant?

Yes, if paediatric pads are not available, you can use adult pads on a child (over 1 year) or infant. For a child under 8, place one pad on the centre of the chest and one on the back (anterior-posterior position) to avoid pads touching. For an infant, the same anterior-posterior placement is recommended. Always follow the AED voice prompts.

How do I know if someone is in cardiac arrest vs. having a seizure?

In cardiac arrest, the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally (only gasping/agonal breathing may occur). In a seizure, there may be jerking movements, but the person may still be breathing. If unsure, check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds – if not breathing normally, start CPR. Seizures can also cause cardiac arrest, so reassess after the seizure stops.

What should I do if I accidentally inject myself with an adrenaline auto-injector?

Adrenaline auto-injectors are designed for intramuscular use and accidental injection into a finger or thumb can cause local ischaemia. Seek immediate medical help – go to A&E or call 111. Do not attempt to squeeze the injection site. In most cases, the effects are temporary, but medical assessment is essential.

Do I need to remove clothing before using an AED?

Yes, you must expose the casualty's chest to apply the pads. Remove any clothing, jewellery, or medical patches (like nicotine or glyceryl trinitrate patches) that could interfere. If the chest is wet or hairy, dry it and shave excessive hair if possible. Do not delay defibrillation for more than a few seconds – if you cannot shave, press the pads firmly.

How often should I renew my FAA Level 3 Award in BLS, AED and Anaphylaxis?

This qualification is valid for 1 year. To remain certified, you must retake the full course annually. This is because skills in resuscitation and anaphylaxis management can deteriorate quickly, and guidelines (e.g., from the Resuscitation Council UK) may change. Some employers may require more frequent refresher training.

Basic Life Support, Automated External Defibrillation and the Management of Anaphylaxis for Adults, Children and Infants

FIRST AID AWARDS LTD

vocational

This unit provides learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills to assess emergency situations safely and deliver immediate life-saving interventions, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and the management of anaphylaxis for adult, child, and infant casualties. It emphasises the correct sequence of actions, the differences between age groups, and the importance of prompt, confident application in real-world emergencies to improve survival outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

FAA Level 3 Award in Basic Life Support, Automated External Defibrillation and the Management of Anaphylaxis for Adults, Children and Infants

Topic Overview

The FAA Level 3 Award in Basic Life Support, Automated External Defibrillation and the Management of Anaphylaxis for Adults, Children and Infants is a vocational qualification that equips learners with the essential skills to respond to life-threatening emergencies. It covers the recognition and treatment of cardiac arrest, choking, and anaphylaxis across all age groups, including adults, children, and infants. This qualification is critical for anyone working in health and social care, education, or community settings where immediate first aid may be required before professional help arrives.

The course is divided into three key areas: Basic Life Support (BLS), which includes performing CPR and managing choking; Automated External Defibrillation (AED), focusing on safe and effective use of an AED; and Anaphylaxis Management, covering recognition and administration of adrenaline auto-injectors. Students must demonstrate practical competence in these skills, as well as understanding the underlying anatomy and physiology, such as the chain of survival and the immune response in anaphylaxis.

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual and sits within the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 3, indicating it is designed for learners who need to apply these skills in a work or voluntary capacity. It is particularly relevant for those working in childcare, teaching, healthcare, or as designated first aiders. Mastery of this content not only prepares students for assessment but also empowers them to save lives in real-world emergencies.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The Chain of Survival: Early recognition, early CPR, early defibrillation, and post-resuscitation care are critical for improving outcomes in cardiac arrest.
→DRSABCD: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation – the systematic approach to assessing and managing an unresponsive casualty.
→Anaphylaxis recognition: Sudden onset of breathing difficulties, swelling (especially of the face and throat), and circulatory collapse; requires immediate administration of adrenaline via auto-injector.
→Age-specific techniques: Differences in CPR ratios (30:2 for all ages, but compression depth and hand placement vary for infants, children, and adults) and AED pad placement (anterior-lateral for adults, anterior-posterior for children under 8).
→Safe use of an AED: Ensuring no one is touching the casualty, checking for chest hair or medication patches, and following voice prompts without delay.

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

1. Be able to assess an emergency situation safely2. Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally3. Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally4. Be able to provide first aid to a casualty with anaphylaxis

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for demonstrating a systematic scene assessment: identifies hazards, ensures personal and bystander safety, and wears appropriate personal protective equipment before approaching the casualty.
Award credit for correctly checking responsiveness using the 'shout and shake' method for adults and children, and foot-tap or shoulder-tap for infants, followed by a clear call for help or emergency services.
Award credit for opening the airway using head tilt-chin lift (or jaw thrust if trauma suspected) and checking breathing for no more than 10 seconds, recognizing agonal gasps as absent or abnormal breathing.
Award credit for performing high-quality CPR: correct hand position (lower half of sternum for adults/children, two fingers or two thumbs for infants), depth (5-6 cm adults, at least one-third chest depth children/infants), rate (100-120 compressions per minute), allowing full chest recoil, and minimising interruptions.
Award credit for safe and prompt AED use: activates device, exposes chest and wipes if wet, attaches pads correctly (antero-lateral for adults, paediatric pads/pad positions for children/infants), ensures nobody touches casualty during analysis and shock delivery, and follows voice prompts.
Award credit for placing an unresponsive, breathing casualty in the recovery position, maintaining an open airway, monitoring breathing, and regualrly reassessing for any deterioration.
Award credit for recognising anaphylaxis signs (skin changes, airway swelling, breathing difficulty, shock) and administering adrenaline auto-injector correctly: removes safety cap, holds for appropriate duration (3 seconds for EpiPen®, 10 seconds for Jext®), injects into the outer mid-thigh through clothing if necessary, and calls emergency services immediately.
Award credit for providing aftercare: positions casualty lying down with legs raised (unless breathing difficulties necessitate sitting up), monitors vital signs, and administers a second auto-injector after 5 minutes if no improvement and ambulance not yet arrived.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡During practical assessments, verbalise each step clearly (e.g., 'I am checking for danger, putting on gloves, opening the airway, looking, listening and feeling for breathing for up to 10 seconds') to demonstrate understanding even if the assessor observes the actions.
💡Memorise the age-specific differences: adult CPR uses two hands; children use one or two hands depending on size; infants use two fingers or two thumbs with encircling technique. For AED, know when to use paediatric pads or settings (under 8 years or 55 kg).
💡Practise the 'chain of survival' sequence repeatedly: early recognition and call for help, early CPR, early defibrillation. In anaphylaxis management, remember 'Adrenaline first, then ambulance' and always carry two auto-injectors.
💡When using an AED during an assessment, do not turn it off if instructed by voice prompt to continue CPR; follow the prompts exactly, and ensure the casualty's chest is dry and clear of medication patches or excessive hair.
💡For the recovery position, demonstrate the technique without causing injury, ensure the airway remains open (head tilt maintained), and state that you would continue to monitor breathing and keep the casualty warm.
💡Check equipment and environment before starting any scenario: ensure the manikin is on a firm surface, AED trainer is present, and auto-injector trainer is in date, and remind assessor you would use appropriate barriers (gloves, face shield) in a real situation.
💡In practical assessments, demonstrate clear communication: state what you are doing at each step (e.g., 'I am checking for response by shouting and gently tapping'). Examiners award marks for verbalising actions even if you are nervous.
💡For the anaphylaxis scenario, remember to call 999/112 immediately after recognising anaphylaxis, and administer the auto-injector into the outer mid-thigh. Do not delay adrenaline due to concerns about incorrect administration.
💡When performing CPR on an infant, use two fingers for compressions and ensure the depth is about 4cm. Practise on a manikin to get the rhythm right – aim for 100-120 compressions per minute.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Mistaking agonal gasps for normal breathing and delaying or failing to start CPR.
Performing chest compressions with the casualty on a soft surface (e.g., bed) instead of a firm, flat surface, reducing compression depth effectiveness.
Failing to remove clothing from the casualty's chest before applying AED pads, causing poor pad adhesion and ineffective shock delivery.
Placing an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally into the recovery position instead of immediately initiating CPR.
Failing to check for danger or wearing personal protective equipment before approaching the casualty, compromising personal safety.
Using adult AED pads on a child or infant when paediatric pads or settings are available, potentially causing harm or ineffective therapy.
Delaying the administration of adrenaline auto-injector in an anaphylactic emergency to first call for an ambulance, instead of the correct sequence of adrenaline first, then emergency call.
Injecting the auto-injector into the thumb or incorrect injection site, or not holding it in place for the required duration, leading to insufficient drug delivery.
Misconception: You should not use an AED on a child under 8. Correction: AEDs can be used on children; use paediatric pads if available, or adult pads placed anterior-posterior if not.
Misconception: Anaphylaxis always involves a rash or hives. Correction: While skin reactions are common, anaphylaxis can present without rash (e.g., only breathing difficulty or hypotension). Always assess airway and breathing.
Misconception: You should tilt the head back for an infant when opening the airway. Correction: For infants, use a neutral head position (not extended) to avoid airway obstruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of the human body, including the heart, lungs, and immune system, is helpful but not mandatory.
•Familiarity with first aid principles, such as the recovery position and managing bleeding, can provide a foundation for this more advanced qualification.
•No formal prerequisites are required, but learners should be physically able to perform CPR and use an AED (e.g., kneeling, applying pressure).

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

1. Be able to assess an emergency situation safely2. Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally3. Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally4. Be able to provide first aid to a casualty with anaphylaxis

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Basic Life Support, Automated External Defibrillation and the Management of Anaphylaxis for Adults, Children and Infants

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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