S-130 First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A firefighter is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. After calling for help, what is the FIRST action you should take?
- Begin rescue breathing immediately
- Begin chest compressions (Correct answer)
- Place the victim in the recovery position
- Check for a pulse for up to 60 seconds
Correct answer: Begin chest compressions
Current CPR guidelines prioritize starting chest compressions immediately before attempting rescue breaths.
Question 2: Which symptom most strongly indicates a firefighter is experiencing heat stroke rather than heat exhaustion?
- Heavy sweating and dizziness
- Altered mental status or confusion (Correct answer)
- Muscle cramps in the legs
- Pale, moist skin
Correct answer: Altered mental status or confusion
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency characterized by altered mental status, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
Question 3: When treating a deep puncture wound in the field, you should:
- Probe the wound to check its depth
- Apply direct pressure and cover with a sterile dressing (Correct answer)
- Remove any embedded objects to allow cleaning
- Flush vigorously with water under high pressure
Correct answer: Apply direct pressure and cover with a sterile dressing
Apply direct pressure and cover the wound; do not probe or remove embedded objects, as this can worsen bleeding.
Question 4: A crew member has a suspected spinal injury after a fall. The safest initial action is to:
- Have them walk slowly to the medical unit to assess mobility
- Keep the head and neck immobilized and wait for EMS (Correct answer)
- Flex the neck forward to open the airway
- Place them in a sitting position to ease breathing
Correct answer: Keep the head and neck immobilized and wait for EMS
Suspected spinal injuries require immobilization of the head and neck until trained EMS personnel arrive.
Question 5: What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR performed by a single rescuer?
- 15 compressions to 2 breaths
- 30 compressions to 2 breaths (Correct answer)
- 30 compressions to 1 breath
- 15 compressions to 1 breath
Correct answer: 30 compressions to 2 breaths
The American Heart Association recommends a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR.
Question 6: A firefighter's boot has melted onto their skin after a burn. You should:
- Pull the boot off quickly to prevent further burning
- Cut around the boot and leave it in place
- Soak the boot in cold water then remove it
- Leave it in place and treat it as an embedded object (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Leave it in place and treat it as an embedded object
Material fused to burned skin should be treated as an embedded object and left in place to avoid causing additional tissue damage.
Question 7: Which of the following is the MOST appropriate treatment for a firefighter experiencing anaphylaxis with a known allergy kit available?
- Administer oral antihistamines and monitor
- Administer epinephrine via auto-injector and call for evacuation (Correct answer)
- Apply a cold compress and elevate the legs
- Give the victim water and keep them calm
Correct answer: Administer epinephrine via auto-injector and call for evacuation
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis; immediate administration and emergency evacuation are critical.
S-130 First Aid 2
A firefighter is found unresponsive and not breathing normally.
After calling for help, what is the FIRST action you should take?