Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation in Adults, Children, and Infants — ITC First End-Point Assessment Health & Social Care Revision
This subtopic covers the essential life-saving techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED) across all age
Topic Synopsis
This subtopic covers the essential life-saving techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED) across all age groups—adults, children, and infants. It emphasizes safe scene assessment, recognizing cardiac arrest, and delivering high-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths, alongside proper AED use. Mastery of these skills ensures the learner can confidently respond to emergencies, improving survival chances in sudden cardiac arrest situations.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Chain of Survival: Early recognition, early CPR, early defibrillation, and post-resuscitation care are the four links that maximise survival chances.
- Compression-to-ventilation ratio: For adults, 30:2 (single rescuer); for children and infants, 30:2 (single rescuer) or 15:2 (two rescuers).
- AED safety: Ensure no one is touching the victim, remove chest hair if necessary, and do not use near water or flammable materials.
- Recovery position: Used for unconscious, breathing victims to maintain airway patency and prevent aspiration.
- Paediatric differences: Infants require two-finger compressions (or two-thumb encircling technique for two rescuers) and shallower depth (4 cm) compared to adults (5-6 cm).
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- During the practical assessment, verbally describe your actions if you would normally do something that isn't safe to perform on a manikin (e.g., checking for breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for up to 10 seconds).
- Practice the sequence of DRSABC until it becomes automatic; assessors look for a calm, confident approach without hesitation.
- For AED usage, emphasise safety: shout 'stand clear' and visually check that no one is in contact with the casualty before delivering a shock.
- When assessing an infant, be prepared to demonstrate using two fingers for compressions and modifing rescue breaths (puffing technique) to avoid over-inflation.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to call for emergency services immediately before starting CPR in an out-of-hospital setting.
- Performing compressions too slowly or too shallowly, which reduces blood flow.
- Not allowing full chest recoil between compressions, impairing cardiac filling.
- Delaying or incorrectly using an AED due to confusion with pad placement on small children if paediatric pads are unavailable.
- Assuming the casualty is breathing normally when they are actually exhibiting agonal gasps.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating a systematic primary survey (DRSABC) ensuring personal safety, responsiveness check, and calling for help.
- Award credit for performing effective chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute and depth of 5-6 cm for adults, with minimal interruptions.
- Award credit for correctly placing AED pads and following voice prompts, ensuring no one touches the casualty during analysis and shock delivery.
- Award credit for adjusting compression depth and hand placement appropriately for child (one or two hands, depth at least one-third of chest depth) and infant (two fingers, depth at least one-third of chest depth).
- Award credit for recognizing agonal breathing as ineffective and initiating CPR immediately.