SIA Door Fire Safety & First Aid Basics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'primary survey' in first aid?
- A rapid check of Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation (DR ABC) (Correct answer)
- A full head-to-toe assessment
- A mental health assessment
- Checking for ID and medical alert jewellery
Correct answer: A rapid check of Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation (DR ABC)
The primary survey (DR ABC) quickly identifies life-threatening conditions: check for Danger, assess the patient's Response, open the Airway, check Breathing and assess Circulation.
Question 2: What is the correct rate for chest compressions during adult CPR?
- 100–120 compressions per minute (Correct answer)
- 60 compressions per minute
- 150 compressions per minute
- 80 compressions per minute
Correct answer: 100–120 compressions per minute
Current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines recommend 100–120 chest compressions per minute during adult CPR, with compressions to a depth of 5–6 cm.
Question 3: What is the ratio of compressions to rescue breaths in adult CPR?
- 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths (Correct answer)
- 15 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
- 30 compressions to 1 rescue breath
- 10 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
Correct answer: 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
Current Resuscitation Council guidelines recommend a 30:2 ratio for adult CPR — 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths — repeating until the patient recovers or help arrives.
Question 4: What is the recovery position used for?
- To maintain an open airway and prevent choking in an unconscious breathing person (Correct answer)
- To resuscitate a person who is not breathing
- To treat a person in anaphylactic shock
- To stabilise a person with a suspected spinal injury
Correct answer: To maintain an open airway and prevent choking in an unconscious breathing person
The recovery position keeps an unconscious but breathing person on their side with the airway open, preventing vomit or fluid from blocking the airway.
Question 5: What does AED stand for?
- Automated External Defibrillator (Correct answer)
- Advanced Emergency Device
- Automated Emergency Defibrillation
- Acute Emergency Diagnostic
Correct answer: Automated External Defibrillator
An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) analyses heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restore normal rhythm in cardiac arrest; they are designed for use by untrained persons.
Question 6: What is the first step when approaching any first aid situation?
- Check for danger to yourself and bystanders before approaching (Correct answer)
- Start CPR immediately
- Call 999 before assessing the patient
- Move the patient to a more comfortable location
Correct answer: Check for danger to yourself and bystanders before approaching
Personal safety is paramount; a responder who becomes a casualty cannot help anyone. Checking for hazards before approaching is always the first step in any first aid scenario.
SIA Door Fire Safety & First Aid Basics 3
What is the 'primary survey' in first aid?