Basic life support for adults and children
This subtopic covers essential basic life support skills for adults and children, including managing unresponsive casualties, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), placing a casualty in the recovery position, and responding to choking. Learners must demonstrate competence in assessing emergencies, delivering safe and effective first aid, and adapting techniques for different age groups to meet assessment criteria for the QNUK Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support.
Assessment criteria
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
The QNUK Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support (Adults and Children) (RQF) covers essential life-saving skills including CPR, recovery position, and choking management for both adults and children. It equips learners with the knowledge and practical abilities to respond effectively in emergency situations, following current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines.
Topic Overview
Basic Life Support (BLS) is a set of life-saving techniques used in emergencies when a person's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This qualification covers adults and children, teaching learners how to assess an unconscious casualty, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), place someone in the recovery position, and manage choking. It is based on the latest Resuscitation Council UK guidelines, ensuring students learn evidence-based practices.
BLS is a fundamental skill for anyone working in health and social care, as well as for the general public. Early and effective CPR can double or triple a victim's chance of survival. The course emphasises the importance of rapid recognition of cardiac arrest, calling for emergency help, and starting chest compressions without delay. It also covers the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), which is increasingly available in public places.
This qualification is part of the Qualifications Network suite and is assessed through practical demonstration and written questions. Students must show they can perform CPR correctly on both adult and child manikins, adapt their technique for infants, and respond to choking incidents. Understanding the differences in anatomy and physiology between adults and children is crucial for safe and effective BLS.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →DRSABCD: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation – the systematic approach to emergency response.
- →Chest compression depth and rate: Adults 5-6 cm at 100-120/min; children at least one-third chest depth (approx 5 cm) at same rate.
- →Compression-to-ventilation ratios: Adults 30:2; children 15:2 if two rescuers, 30:2 if single rescuer.
- →Recovery position: Used for unconscious casualties who are breathing normally to maintain an open airway.
- →Choking management: Back blows and abdominal thrusts for adults and children over 1 year; back blows and chest thrusts for infants under 1 year.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- 1.Be able to support a casualty who is unresponsive and not breathing normally2. Be able to support a casualty who is unresponsive and breathing normally3. Be able to support a casualty who is choking
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for demonstrating a systematic approach: checking for danger, assessing responsiveness, and shouting for help before approaching the casualty.
- When managing an unresponsive casualty not breathing normally, award credit for correct CPR technique: 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, with compressions at a depth of at least 5 cm for adults and approximately 1/3 chest depth for children.
- For an unresponsive but breathing casualty, award credit for placing them in a stable lateral recovery position that ensures an open airway and allows continuous monitoring of breathing.
- When dealing with a choking adult or child (over 1 year), award credit for administering up to 5 back blows followed by up to 5 abdominal thrusts, checking for dislodged object between cycles.
- Award credit for correctly identifying when to call emergency services (999/112) and for providing clear, relevant information when doing so.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡In any practical scenario, verbalise each step as you perform it, including safety checks, calling for help, and reasoning for your actions—this demonstrates underpinning knowledge to assessors.
- 💡For the unresponsive adult not breathing, ensure you state the compression-to-ventilation ratio (30:2) and emphasise the importance of high-quality compressions with minimal interruptions.
- 💡When managing choking, clearly differentiate between partial and complete airway obstruction; for complete obstruction, act immediately with back blows and, if unsuccessful, abdominal thrusts (or chest thrusts for children under 1 year).
- 💡During assessments, always demonstrate correct infection control procedures (e.g., using a face shield or pocket mask for rescue breaths) if specified, and know the modification for paediatric resuscitation including compression depth and hand placement.
- 💡Always use the acronym DRSABCD to structure your answer – it ensures you don't miss steps.
- 💡When describing CPR, mention the rate (100-120 compressions per minute) and depth (5-6 cm for adults, one-third chest depth for children) – these are specific marks.
- 💡For children, state the age range (1 year to puberty) and note the difference in ratio if two rescuers are present.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Failing to tilt the head and lift the chin sufficiently to open the airway, resulting in ineffective rescue breaths.
- Not checking for normal breathing for a full 10 seconds, leading to mistaken interpretation of agonal gasps as normal breathing.
- Incorrect hand placement during chest compressions (e.g., pressing on the xiphoid process or ribs) which can cause injury and reduce effectiveness.
- Performing abdominal thrusts on a child under 1 year or a small child instead of using back blows and chest thrusts as appropriate for the age.
- Forgetting to check for hypoxia or airway obstruction when a casualty is in the recovery position, and not regularly reassessing breathing.
- Misconception: You should check for a pulse before starting CPR. Correction: For lay rescuers, pulse check is not recommended; instead, look for signs of normal breathing. Agonal breathing (gasping) is not normal breathing and CPR should be started.
- Misconception: Rescue breaths are not necessary for adults. Correction: While compression-only CPR is acceptable if unwilling/unable to give breaths, full CPR with breaths is recommended for all ages, especially children and drowning victims.
- Misconception: The recovery position is used for all unconscious casualties. Correction: It is only for those who are breathing normally. If not breathing, start CPR immediately.
Revision Plan
How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks
- 1Week 1: Learn the DRSABCD sequence and practice on an adult manikin. Focus on correct hand placement, compression depth, and rate. Watch videos from Resuscitation Council UK.
- 2Week 2: Adapt skills for children and infants. Practice the recovery position and choking management. Write out the steps for each scenario.
- 3Week 3: Revise key differences between adult and child BLS. Take practice quizzes and attempt mock practical assessments with a friend or family member.
- 4Week 4: Consolidate knowledge by teaching someone else. Review common misconceptions and examiner tips. Complete past paper questions.
Exam Question Types
How this topic typically appears in the exam
- 📋Multiple-choice questions: Often test specific ratios, depths, and sequences. Tip: Eliminate obviously wrong answers first.
- 📋Short-answer questions: Require listing steps (e.g., 'List the steps of DRSABCD'). Tip: Use bullet points in your answer for clarity.
- 📋Scenario-based questions: Describe an emergency and ask what you would do. Tip: Always start with 'Check for danger' and follow the sequence.
- 📋Practical assessment: Demonstrate CPR on a manikin. Tip: Keep a steady rhythm; sing 'Stayin' Alive' in your head to maintain rate.
Command Word Expectations (QUALIFICATIONS NETWORK)
What examiners look for when using specific command words in this specification
Provide a detailed account of the steps or procedure. Include specific details like compression depth, rate, and ratio. Do not just list – explain each step briefly.
Give reasons for why a particular action is taken. For example, explain why the recovery position is used (to maintain airway and prevent aspiration). Link to anatomy/physiology.
In practical exams, show the correct technique. In written exams, describe how you would perform the skill step-by-step, including hand placement and body position.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Common mark loss traps and how to write 100% full-mark answers
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Detailed solution breakdown for typical exam problems
Question: A 6-year-old child is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. Describe the steps you would take to perform CPR, including the compression-to-ventilation ratio and depth of compressions.
- 1.Step 1: Ensure the scene is safe. Check for danger.
- 2.Step 2: Check responsiveness by gently shaking the child's shoulders and asking loudly, 'Are you okay?'
- 3.Step 3: Open the airway using head tilt and chin lift. Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
- 4.Step 4: If not breathing normally, ask a helper to call 999/112 and fetch an AED. If alone, perform CPR for 1 minute before calling.
- 5.Step 5: Start chest compressions: place one hand on the centre of the chest (lower half of sternum). Compress to a depth of at least one-third of the chest depth (approx 5 cm) at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
- 6.Step 6: Give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions (if alone) or 15 compressions if two rescuers. Each breath should make the chest rise visibly.
- 7.Step 7: Continue CPR until emergency services arrive, the child shows signs of life, or you are too exhausted to continue.
Question: A 45-year-old adult collapses in a shopping centre. They are unresponsive and not breathing. What is the correct sequence of actions?
- 1.Step 1: Check for danger to yourself and others.
- 2.Step 2: Check responsiveness: shake shoulders and ask loudly.
- 3.Step 3: Open airway (head tilt, chin lift) and check breathing for up to 10 seconds.
- 4.Step 4: If not breathing normally, call 999/112 immediately and ask for an AED.
- 5.Step 5: Start chest compressions: place heel of one hand on centre of chest, interlock fingers. Compress to a depth of 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
- 6.Step 6: After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths. Each breath over 1 second, watching for chest rise.
- 7.Step 7: Continue 30:2 cycles until help arrives, AED is ready, or the person shows signs of life.
Active Recall Memory Test
Test your memory before revealing the key facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for QUALIFICATIONS NETWORK Basic life support for adults and children
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of human anatomy (heart, lungs, airway).
- •No formal prerequisites, but familiarity with first aid principles is helpful.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- 1.Be able to support a casualty who is unresponsive and not breathing normally2. Be able to support a casualty who is unresponsive and breathing normally3. Be able to support a casualty who is choking
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