I have a CPR class coming up in two weeks through the local fire department — a combined CPR/AED course for lifeguard applicants. Most of my coworkers have never taken first aid training before and I want them to arrive with at least a basic conceptual foundation so we don't spend the whole session reviewing fundamentals.
The physical skills — compressions, rescue breaths, AED pads — can only be drilled in person on a mannequin. But the knowledge side — compression rates, depth guidelines, infant versus adult differences, when to use an AED — can all be studied ahead of time. I want to understand how to perform CPR correctly before trying to absorb it all in real time.
I found the Child and Infant CPR practice questions on PracticeTestGeeks which cover pediatric differences well. Are there other approaches you'd recommend for a group that's completely new to CPR training? I'm especially looking for resources covering choking response and AED use alongside compressions.
Make sure your group knows the compression-to-breath ratio before they arrive: 30:2 for adults, 30:2 for children with one rescuer, 15:2 for children with two healthcare providers. That distinction trips people up in class. Also walk them through AED voice prompts — once they know the machine talks them through it, a lot of the anxiety around AED use disappears. The Airway Obstruction practice questions are great for choking scenarios.
The AHA's free YouTube videos are excellent for building mental models before hands-on training. Have your group watch the "CPR Chain of Survival" video and the AED step-by-step walkthrough the night before. Practice tests on PracticeTestGeeks are great for knowledge reinforcement — I used the airway obstruction section with school staff. Coming in with the terminology already familiar cuts class confusion in half.
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