Do I need to remove clothing to use an AED?

Yes, you must remove all clothing from the patient's chest to ensure good pad-to-skin contact. This includes bras, necklaces, and any medical patches. If the chest is hairy, you may need to shave it with the razor provided in the AED kit. Do not delay CPR to remove clothing; start compressions first, then prepare the chest for the AED.

What if the patient has a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?

If the patient has a pacemaker or ICD, you will usually see a lump under the skin on the upper left chest. Place the AED pad at least 8 cm away from the device. Do not place a pad directly over it, as it may interfere with the shock or damage the device. Continue with CPR and AED use as normal.

How long should I perform CPR before using an AED?

As soon as an AED is available, use it immediately. Do not wait for a specific number of cycles. Ideally, start CPR within 10 seconds of recognising cardiac arrest, and apply the AED as soon as it arrives. If you are alone, call 999 first, then start CPR and get the AED if nearby.

Can I use an AED on a pregnant woman?

Yes, an AED can and should be used on a pregnant woman in cardiac arrest. The procedure is the same, but you may need to manually displace the uterus to the left to improve blood flow during CPR. The AED pads are placed in the standard positions. Defibrillation is safe for the foetus.

What if I am not confident in giving rescue breaths?

If you are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths, perform hands-only CPR (continuous compressions at 100-120 per minute). This is still better than doing nothing. However, for the ITC Level 3 qualification, you must demonstrate competence in giving rescue breaths as part of the assessment.

How often do I need to renew this qualification?

The ITC Level 3 Award in Adult Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation is valid for 1 year. To remain certified, you must retake the course annually. This is because guidelines and techniques may update, and regular practice ensures skills remain sharp.

Adult Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation

ITC FIRST

vocational

This subtopic focuses on the practical application of adult basic life support (BLS) and the safe use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in emergency situations. It encompasses the systematic assessment of a casualty, the delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for non-breathing individuals, and the appropriate first aid positioning for breathing but unresponsive casualties. Mastery of this content ensures learners can act confidently and effectively in real-world cardiac arrest and unconsciousness scenarios.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

ITC Level 3 Award in Adult Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation

Topic Overview

The ITC Level 3 Award in Adult Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation is a vocational qualification designed for healthcare professionals, first responders, and anyone working in health and social care settings. This course equips learners with the essential skills to recognise and manage a cardiac arrest in an adult, including performing high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) safely and effectively. The qualification is based on the latest UK Resuscitation Council guidelines, ensuring that students learn evidence-based techniques that can significantly improve survival outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

In the context of Health & Social Care, this award is critical because cardiac arrest can occur in any care environment, from hospitals and GP surgeries to residential homes and community settings. By mastering these life-saving skills, students become confident in their ability to act swiftly and correctly during emergencies, reducing the risk of brain damage or death. The course also emphasises the importance of teamwork, communication, and the chain of survival, which are fundamental principles in healthcare. Understanding how to integrate BLS and AED use into broader emergency response plans is a key outcome of this qualification.

This qualification is part of the ITC First suite of vocational awards, which are regulated by Ofqual and recognised by employers across the UK. It is often a mandatory requirement for roles such as care assistants, support workers, and first aiders in health and social care settings. The course typically involves both theoretical knowledge and practical assessment, ensuring that learners can demonstrate competence in simulated scenarios. By completing this award, students not only gain a valuable certification but also develop the confidence to save lives in real-world situations.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The Chain of Survival: Early recognition, early CPR, early defibrillation, and post-resuscitation care. Each link is vital for increasing survival rates.
→High-quality CPR: Compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute, depth of 5-6 cm, allowing full chest recoil, and minimising interruptions. Ratio of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
→Safe AED use: Ensuring the area is dry, no one is touching the patient, and pads are placed correctly (one on upper right chest, one on lower left side). Follow voice prompts exactly.
→Recovery position: For unconscious patients who are breathing normally, to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Must be performed correctly to avoid injury.
→When to stop CPR: Signs of life return, qualified help arrives and takes over, the rescuer is exhausted, or a valid DNAR (Do Not Attempt Resuscitation) order is present.

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

1 Be able to assess an emergency situation safely.2 Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally.3 Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally.

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for demonstrating a systematic scene safety assessment prior to approaching the casualty, including dynamic risk assessment and personal protective equipment usage.
Award credit for correctly identifying the absence of normal breathing and initiating CPR with accurate compression-to-ventilation ratios, depth, and rate according to current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.
Award credit for safely operating an AED, including correct pad placement and ensuring no one is touching the casualty during analysis and shock delivery.
Award credit for placing an unresponsive, breathing casualty into the recovery position while maintaining airway patency and spinal alignment.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡Always narrate your actions during the practical assessment to demonstrate your thought process and meet criterion-based evidence.
💡Practice the complete BLS sequence repeatedly until the flow from scene safety to recovery position becomes automatic, as hesitation is a common reason for lost marks.
💡Familiarise yourself with the specific AED model used in your training centre, including its voice prompts and visual indicators.
💡During practical assessment, demonstrate clear communication: call for help, delegate tasks (e.g., 'You call 999, you bring the AED'), and announce each step. Examiners look for leadership and teamwork.
💡Memorise the exact compression rate and depth. Use the beat of 'Stayin' Alive' by the Bee Gees to maintain 100-120 compressions per minute. Practise on a manikin to get the depth right.
💡When using an AED, remember to 'analyse' before shocking. Do not touch the patient during analysis. After a shock, immediately resume CPR starting with compressions, not breaths.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Failing to open the airway using head tilt-chin lift, leading to ineffective rescue breaths or inability to detect breathing.
Performing chest compressions too slowly, too shallow, or with incorrect hand placement, reducing perfusion effectiveness.
Not calling for emergency medical services immediately upon identifying an unresponsive, non-breathing casualty.
Leaving an AED attached while continuing CPR incorrectly, or forgetting to remove conductive items like jewellery or medication patches before pad application.
Misconception: You can be sued for performing CPR incorrectly. Correction: In the UK, the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act 2015 protects rescuers acting in good faith. You cannot be sued for trying to save a life.
Misconception: AEDs can shock a patient who is still breathing. Correction: AEDs only deliver a shock when they detect a shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia). They will not shock a patient with a normal heartbeat.
Misconception: Rescue breaths are unnecessary; hands-only CPR is always best. Correction: For trained rescuers, full CPR with breaths is recommended, especially in non-cardiac causes like drowning or drug overdose. Hands-only CPR is for untrained bystanders.

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 the concept of consent and the legal framework for providing first aid (e.g., implied consent) is beneficial.
•No prior first aid qualification is required, but learners should be physically able to perform CPR (kneeling, compressions) and follow instructions.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

1 Be able to assess an emergency situation safely.2 Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally.3 Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally.

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Adult Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation

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Topic Overview

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Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

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