Adult CPR and AED
Skills Testing Critical Skills Descriptors
1. Assesses victim and activates emergency response system (this must precede starting compressions) within
a maximum of 30 seconds. After determining that the scene is safe:
• Checks for responsiveness by tapping and shouting
• Shouts for help/directs someone to call for help and get AED/defibrillator
• Checks for no breathing or no normal breathing (only gasping)
– Scans from the head to the chest for a minimum of 5 seconds and no more than 10 seconds
• Checks carotid pulse
– Can be done simultaneously with check for breathing
– Checks for a minimum of 5 seconds and no more than 10 seconds
2. Performs high-quality chest compressions (initiates compressions immediately after recognition of
cardiac arrest)
• Correct hand placement
– Lower half of sternum
– 2-handed (second hand on top of the first or grasping the wrist of the first hand)
• Compression rate of 100 to 120/min
– Delivers 30 compressions in 15 to 18 seconds
• Compression depth and recoil—at least 2 inches (5 cm) and avoid compressing more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
– Use of a commercial feedback device or high-fidelity manikin is highly recommended
– Complete chest recoil after each compression
• Minimizes interruptions in compressions
– Delivers 2 breaths so less than 10 seconds elapses between last compression of one cycle and first
compression of next cycle
– Compressions resumed immediately after shock/no shock indicated
3. Provides 2 breaths by using a barrier device
• Opens airway adequately
– Uses a head tilt–chin lift maneuver or jaw thrust
• Delivers each breath over 1 second
• Delivers breaths that produce visible chest rise
• Avoids excessive ventilation
• Resumes chest compressions in less than 10 seconds
4. Performs same steps for compressions and breaths for Cycle 2
5. AED use
• Powers on AED
– Turns AED on by pushing button or lifting lid as soon as it arrives
• Correctly attaches pads
– Places proper-sized (adult) pads for victim’s age in correct location
• Clears for analysis
– Clears rescuers from victim for AED to analyze rhythm (pushes analyze button if required by device)
– Communicates clearly to all other rescuers to stop touching victim
• Clears to safely deliver shock
– Communicates clearly to all other rescuers to stop touching victim
• Delivers a shock
– Resumes chest compressions immediately after shock delivery
– Does not turn off AED during CPR
6. Resumes compressions
• Ensures that high-quality chest compressions are resumed immediately after shock delivery
– Performs same steps for compressions