Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation Skills
This element focuses on the practical application of resuscitation skills and the safe, effective use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in line with current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines. Learners will develop competency in performing basic life support, operating an AED during a cardiac arrest scenario, and managing the casualty post-resuscitation, as well as undertaking routine user-level maintenance and troubleshooting of the device. These skills are essential for first responders in a range of health and social care environments to maximise survival outcomes.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The TQUK Level 2 Award in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation (RQF) is a regulated qualification designed to equip learners with the essential skills and knowledge to perform CPR and use an AED safely and effectively. This course is particularly relevant for those working or aspiring to work in health and social care settings, such as care homes, hospitals, or community support roles, where prompt response to cardiac arrest can significantly increase survival rates. The qualification covers the chain of survival, recognition of cardiac arrest, and the practical application of CPR and defibrillation, aligning with current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines.
Mastering these skills is critical because out-of-hospital cardiac arrests affect thousands of people each year in the UK, and immediate bystander CPR and defibrillation can double or triple the chance of survival. Within the broader Health & Social Care curriculum, this award complements other mandatory training like first aid and safeguarding, ensuring that care workers are prepared to handle medical emergencies confidently. The qualification is assessed through practical demonstration and a written assessment, emphasising both theoretical understanding and hands-on competence.
By completing this award, students not only meet regulatory requirements for many care roles but also develop the confidence to act decisively in emergencies. The course content is structured to be accessible, with clear step-by-step instructions for CPR sequences, AED operation, and post-resuscitation care. Understanding the legal and ethical considerations, such as consent and duty of care, is also integral to the qualification, making it a comprehensive foundation for life-saving intervention.
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 chances in cardiac arrest.
- →CPR Technique: Correct hand placement (centre of chest), compression depth (5-6 cm), rate (100-120 compressions per minute), and ratio of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
- →AED Operation: How to safely turn on the AED, attach pads (one below right collarbone, one on left side below armpit), follow voice prompts, and ensure no one touches the patient during shock delivery.
- →Recognition of Cardiac Arrest: Checking for unresponsiveness, absence of normal breathing (agonal gasping is not normal breathing), and activating emergency services immediately.
- →Safety Considerations: Ensuring the scene is safe, checking for hazards (e.g., water, metal surfaces), and minimising interruptions to chest compressions (less than 10 seconds).
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Understand basic life support requirements, Be able to demonstrate basic life support techniques and automated external defibrillator use in line with current national guidelines, Be able to demonstrate post-resuscitation procedures, Be able to carry out basic user maintenance and troubleshoot problems with an automated external defibrillator, Understand the safe use of an automated external defibrillator
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for demonstrating correct hand placement and compression depth (5-6 cm) with full chest recoil during CPR on a manikin, maintaining a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
- Award credit for following AED voice prompts without delay, ensuring no contact with the casualty during analysis and shock delivery, and placing pads correctly on exposed, dry skin.
- Award credit for performing post-resuscitation procedures, including reassessing breathing, placing the casualty in the recovery position if ROSC is achieved, and monitoring vital signs until handover to emergency services.
- Award credit for carrying out basic user maintenance by conducting a visual inspection, checking battery and pad expiry dates, and performing a self-test if available, with accurate documentation.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡In written or oral assessments, always reference current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines to justify your actions, such as compression-to-ventilation ratios or paediatric modifications.
- 💡During practical demonstrations, verbalise steps that cannot be fully simulated, e.g., stating 'I am checking for hazards' or 'I would call 999 and request an AED' to show underpinning knowledge.
- 💡Familiarise yourself with the specific AED model you will use, including how to activate it, insert pads, and interpret its feedback prompts, as assessors will observe your confidence and speed.
- 💡During practical assessment, demonstrate a systematic approach: check for danger, check response, shout for help, open airway, check breathing, and then start CPR. Examiners look for a logical sequence and smooth transitions between steps.
- 💡When using the AED, verbalise each step as you perform it (e.g., 'I am now turning on the AED and attaching the pads'). This shows you understand the process and helps the examiner follow your actions.
- 💡For the written assessment, memorise the key numbers: compression depth 5-6 cm, rate 100-120 per minute, ratio 30:2, and the chain of survival steps. Use mnemonics like 'DRSABCD' (Danger, Response, Shout, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation) to recall the sequence.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Performing chest compressions too slowly or too fast, leaning on the chest between compressions, or failing to allow full recoil, which reduces venous return and coronary perfusion.
- Forgetting to remove or cut away clothing and rapidly wiping the chest dry before pad placement, or failing to shave excessive chest hair, leading to poor pad adhesion or arcing.
- Touching the casualty during AED analysis or shock delivery, including failure to warn bystanders clearly, which can interrupt rhythm detection or risk electric shock.
- Assuming the AED is always rescue-ready without performing regular maintenance checks, resulting in use of expired pads or dead batteries during an emergency.
- Misconception: You should check for a pulse before starting CPR. Correction: The UK Resuscitation Council advises that lay rescuers should not waste time checking for a pulse; instead, look for unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing. Starting CPR immediately if the person is not breathing normally is crucial.
- Misconception: AEDs are complicated and only for trained professionals. Correction: AEDs are designed for public use with clear voice prompts. They automatically analyse the heart rhythm and will only deliver a shock if needed. Even without formal training, following the prompts is safe and effective.
- Misconception: Rescue breaths are always necessary for adults. Correction: While the standard ratio includes breaths, if you are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths, compression-only CPR is still effective and recommended, especially for bystanders. The key is to keep chest compressions going.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS UK LTD Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation Skills
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 first aid principles, such as the importance of scene safety and calling emergency services.
- •Familiarity with the anatomy of the heart and lungs at a basic level (e.g., heart pumps blood, lungs supply oxygen) is helpful but not essential.
- •No formal prerequisites are required for this Level 2 award, but learners should have good communication skills and the physical ability to perform chest compressions.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Understand basic life support requirements, Be able to demonstrate basic life support techniques and automated external defibrillator use in line with current national guidelines, Be able to demonstrate post-resuscitation procedures, Be able to carry out basic user maintenance and troubleshoot problems with an automated external defibrillator, Understand the safe use of an automated external defibrillator
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