What do I study to pass the written test on the CPR exam? Many have asked what do I study to pass the written test on the CPR exam? The answer lies in realizing that tests like anything else are really based on keywords. So if you are thinking about studying for a test you need to think about the keywords that are reflected in the test. For example if I was studying for a CPR exam I would think about what the word ratio means. If one person is performing CPR then the ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths for everyone. If 2 or more people are performing CPR, then it's 30 compressions and 2 breaths for adults and 15 compressions and 2 breaths for children and infants. Those are the kinds of things that you need to study to pass a CPR exam. When delivering compressions make sure your shoulder is over your wrist and you press down at least 2 inches. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest between the nipples and press down at least 2 inches for Adults, about 2" for a Child and 1 and 1/2 inches for an Infant It pretty much follows the way it is being taught. First you look at compressions and then when it comes to the breaths you're looking at delivering the breath over 1 second so that you're just breathing not blowing. It's not a balloon. This also applies when using a bag mask device. always look for chest rise. Now you are set to perform adult CPR with 30 compressions and 2 breaths, pressing down on the chest at least 2 inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, and delivering 2 breaths over one second each, looking for chest rise. When the AED arrives it will have a mask or barrier in its kit. Take it out and immediately deliver 2 breaths and then go back to compressons. How can I tell if a person is breathing? look at the chest and put your head by their mouth. uneven gasping breaths is not breathing. HOW DO I CHECK FOR A PULSE? In an adult or child press 2 fingers lightly against the carotid artery on the side of the neck beside the area of the  Adams apple closest to you. for an infant press 2 fingers against the brachial artery. REMEMBER: Call for help after each initial step. IF ALONE, take out your cell phone and dial 911 with the speaker on. Tell the dispatcher what you are doing so they can get you help. IF ALONE You can leave an adult or a child to get help and get the AED as long as you know where the AED is. However, if you come upon a child that has no pulse and is not breathing you should perform 2 minutes of CPR and then call 911. If alone with an infant, perform 2 minutes of CPR and then take the infant with you to call 911 or find the AED. Remember you only start CPR if the adult victim is not breathing and does not have a pulse. If the victim is a child or infant the pulse needs to be less than 60 beats per minute before you start CPR. USING THE AED FIRST STEP: TURN IT ON AND FOLLOW THE PROMPTS. Remember the AED will tell you what to do and you must follow the prompts. You are not the AED. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE PROMPTS. As soon as a shock is delivered or the unit pauses you resume compressions. The AED pads have diagrams. Place them accordingly. Don't stop compressions to place the pads. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS The skin where the pads are placed must be bare, clean and dry. If arrest occurs in water get the person out and dry the chest. DO NOT PLACE THE AED IN WATER. If there is a medication patch, put gloves on and remove it and wipe area clean. If there is a lump or something imbedded in the chest place the pad 2 inches away from it. If the person has a hairy chest use the safety razor to remove hair from the area you are placing the pads. The AED recognizes two disturbing rhythms. Vfib (erratic beating heart) and Vtach (heart beating too fast). The AED makes it possible to correct. The AED stops the heart and allows for return of normal rhythm. PERFORMING CPR WITH MORE THAN ONE RESCUER When performing CPR with more than one rescuer each rescuer has a specific role. For example if you have 4 people working on a victim, one person performs assessment and delivers high quality CPR. The second rescuer would assist the first by delivering breaths. The third rescuer would assist the first by alternating with them to deliver good effective compressions. The fourth rescuer would operate the AED and keep time. GOOD TEAM DYNAMICS A good team leader knows the STRENGTHS of his team members and assigns roles accordingly. A team member knows their LIMITATIONS and acknowledges with the team leader when given a role. The team leader COMMUNICATES CLEARLY and RESPECTFULLY with their team members.. If they notice a deficiency they tell the team member in a slow even tone how to correct it. USING AED WITH CHILD OR INFANT How does the AED know if the victim is a child? Answer: It doesn't unless you tell it. When using the AED a child is defined as being between the ages of one year old and eight years old. If you don't know the age then use the ADULT pads or sequence. If necessary The Adult pads can be used on anyone. . You can use adult pads on infants. The victim has better chance when AED is used within the first 5 minutes. After 10 minutes the survival rate is poor. When doing CPR on a child (no underarm hair, or no breast development) press down ABOUT 2". Give breaths to get chest rise. If one person, the ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. If 2 PEOPLE are working on the child the ratio becomes 15 compressions to 2 breaths. This also applies to the infant. HOW DO YOU PERFORM CPR ON AN INFANT? If alone the ratio is 30 compressions and 2 breaths. If two people work on an infant the ratio is 15 compressions and 2 breaths. Suppose the victim is breathing but with difficulty. You assist them by delivering rescue breaths. One breath every 5 seconds for adults Assess every two minutes. CHOKING If someone chokes and is awake, they CAN'T talk or cry. If it's an adult or child perform the heimlich maneuver. If it's an infant give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades and then turn them over and deliver 5 chest thrusts. If anyone goes unconscious from choking begin CPR. When you open the airway to give breaths check and see if you can see the obstructing object if you see it, you can remove it. if not, do not put your finger in their mouth. Deliver breaths and then go back to compressions. The purpose of CPR is to keep the brain alive by pumping oxygen rich blood to it. f you do not get good chest recoil the heart does not fill up adequately and not enough blood is pumped to the brain. Good luck on your written test.