PCV Emergency and First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passenger has collapsed and is not breathing. What is the correct ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths for adult CPR?
- 15 compressions to 1 breath
- 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths (Correct answer)
- 10 compressions to 3 breaths
- Continuous compressions only, no breaths
Correct answer: 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
The standard adult CPR ratio is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.
Current guidelines recommend 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths at a rate of 100-120 per minute. Hands-only CPR is also effective if you are unable to give breaths.
Question 2: A passenger on your coach is having a severe asthma attack. What should you do?
- Lay them flat and elevate their legs
- Sit them upright, help them use their inhaler if they have one, and call 999 if the attack does not improve quickly (Correct answer)
- Give them water and tell them to breathe slowly
- Open windows to let in fresh air and continue driving
Correct answer: Sit them upright, help them use their inhaler if they have one, and call 999 if the attack does not improve quickly
Sitting upright helps breathing, and their inhaler provides immediate medication. Call 999 if the attack is severe.
Sit the casualty upright, help them use their reliever inhaler (usually blue), and call 999 if the inhaler is not helping, they cannot speak, their lips turn blue, or they become exhausted.
Question 3: What should you do if a passenger sustains a severe burn from a spilled hot drink on your bus?
- Apply butter or cream to the burn
- Cool the burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes, then cover loosely with cling film (Correct answer)
- Apply ice directly to the burn
- Pop any blisters and apply a plaster
Correct answer: Cool the burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes, then cover loosely with cling film
Cool running water for at least 20 minutes is the primary first aid treatment for burns.
Cool under running water for at least 20 minutes, then cover loosely with cling film. Do not apply ice, butter, cream, or burst blisters. Call 999 for large or serious burns.
Question 4: A passenger has fainted on your bus. After checking they are breathing, what position should you place them in?
- Seated upright
- Lying down with legs raised above the level of their heart (Correct answer)
- On their side in the recovery position
- Standing up with support
Correct answer: Lying down with legs raised above the level of their heart
Raising the legs above heart level helps blood flow to the brain, the most common cause of fainting.
Lay them on their back and raise their legs about 30 cm above heart level. If they do not recover within a minute or two, place them in the recovery position and call 999.
Question 5: You find an AED available nearby after a passenger collapses in cardiac arrest. Should you use it?
- No - only paramedics can use AEDs
- Yes - modern AEDs are designed for use by anyone and give voice instructions (Correct answer)
- Only if you have specific training
- No - it might make things worse
Correct answer: Yes - modern AEDs are designed for use by anyone and give voice instructions
Modern public-access AEDs are designed for anyone to use, with clear voice prompts.
Public Access Defibrillators give clear voice instructions and will only deliver a shock if needed. Using an AED as soon as possible dramatically increases survival chances.
Question 6: A passenger is choking and cannot speak, cough, or breathe. What is the correct sequence of actions?
- Give them water to drink
- Give up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, alternating until the blockage clears (Correct answer)
- Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre only
- Wait for them to cough it up naturally
Correct answer: Give up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, alternating until the blockage clears
The standard choking protocol is alternating between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.
Give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, checking after each. If that fails, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Alternate until cleared. Begin CPR if they become unconscious.
PCV Emergency and First Aid 2
A passenger has collapsed and is not breathing.
What is the correct ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths for adult CPR?