100+ Free PHECC FAR Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PHECC FAR Exam

Written MCQs

PHECC FAR Standard

60%

Passing Score

PHECC FAR Standard

30 mins

Exam Time Limit

PHECC FAR Standard

2 years

Cert Validity

HSA / PHECC Ireland

30:2

CPR Ratio (All Ages)

PHECC CFR Guidelines

18 hours

Course Duration

PHECC FAR Training

The PHECC FAR exam in Ireland includes 20 written MCQs (30-minute limit, 60% passing score) alongside a hands-on practical skills test. Total course and exam fees range from €250 to €350. It is HSA-recognised and covers patient assessment, CPR, AED usage, injury management, and care of the unconscious. Recertification is required every 2 years.

Sample PHECC FAR Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PHECC FAR exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1When approaching an emergency scene to provide first aid, what is the very first priority for the responder?

A.Checking the responsiveness of the casualty

B.Ensuring the safety of the scene for yourself, bystanders, and the casualty

C.Immediately calling emergency services (112 or 999)

D.Opening the casualty's airway and checking for normal breathing

Explanation: Scene safety is always the first priority in emergency care under the PHECC guidelines. A responder must never enter an unsafe scene, as they risk becoming a casualty themselves, which worsens the situation. Only after the scene is verified as safe can the responder proceed to assess the casualty.

2Which emergency telephone numbers can be used in Ireland to contact emergency services (ambulance, fire, police)?

A.911 or 999

B.112 or 999

C.999 only

D.112 or 911

Explanation: In Ireland, both 112 and 999 are the official emergency telephone numbers. 112 is the standard European emergency number, while 999 is the historical national emergency number. Both direct the caller to the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS).

3Under PHECC guidelines, what is the standard ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths for adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?

A.15 compressions to 2 breaths

B.30 compressions to 2 breaths

C.30 compressions to 5 breaths

D.15 compressions to 1 breath

Explanation: PHECC guidelines specify a compression-to-breath ratio of 30:2 for adult CPR. This ratio ensures a high proportion of chest compressions to maintain coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures while supplying necessary oxygenation through rescue breaths. This standard applies to both single and multiple responders at the community level.

4When an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) arrives at the scene of a cardiac arrest, what is the very first action the responder should take?

A.Apply the sticky pads to the casualty's bare chest

B.Plug the pads connector into the AED console

C.Turn on the AED (using the power button or by opening the lid)

D.Clear everyone away from the casualty to analyze the rhythm

Explanation: Turning on the AED is the critical first step because it activates the voice prompts, which guide the responder through all subsequent steps. Many modern AEDs turn on automatically when the lid is opened, while others require pressing a power button. Responders should follow these voice prompts immediately.

5What is the normal resting breathing rate for a healthy adult at rest?

A.5 to 10 breaths per minute

B.12 to 20 breaths per minute

C.25 to 30 breaths per minute

D.60 to 100 breaths per minute

Explanation: A normal resting respiratory rate for a healthy adult is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. Rates below 12 or above 20 can indicate respiratory distress, metabolic abnormalities, or other underlying clinical issues. Responders count breaths over a full minute or 30 seconds multiplied by two to assess this vital sign.

6Which manual maneuver is recommended to open the airway of an unconscious adult casualty who has no suspected spinal injury?

A.Jaw-thrust maneuver

B.Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver

C.Neutral position maneuver

D.Prone recovery maneuver

Explanation: The head-tilt chin-lift is the standard maneuver to open the airway of an unconscious casualty without suspected trauma. Placing one hand on the forehead to tilt the head back and using the fingers of the other hand to lift the chin pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat, opening the airway. This is taught as a fundamental skill in the Primary Survey.

7Under what clinical conditions should an unconscious casualty be placed in the recovery position?

A.When they are unresponsive and breathing normally

B.When they are unresponsive and not breathing normally

C.When they are responsive but complaining of severe chest pain

D.When they are unresponsive and have a suspected neck or spinal injury, regardless of breathing status

Explanation: An unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally should be placed in the recovery (lateral) position to maintain airway patency and allow fluids to drain. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, CPR must be initiated instead. For suspected spinal trauma, they should only be rolled if the airway cannot be maintained in the supine position.

8What is the initial action a responder should take to control severe bleeding from a wound?

A.Apply a tourniquet tightly above the wound

B.Flush the wound with sterile saline solution

C.Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean dressing

D.Elevate the limb above the heart without applying pressure

Explanation: Direct pressure is the most effective initial method for controlling bleeding. Pressing directly on the bleeding vessel compresses it against underlying structures, facilitating clot formation. Tourniquets are only used for catastrophic haemorrhage when direct pressure fails.

9What first aid should be provided to a conscious adult who is choking but is able to speak, cough, and breathe?

A.Perform immediate abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

B.Give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades

C.Encourage the casualty to continue coughing and monitor them closely

D.Attempt to perform a blind finger sweep of their throat

Explanation: If a choking casualty can speak, cough, and breathe, they have a mild airway obstruction. The cough is the most effective way to clear the airway, so the responder should encourage coughing. Intervention with back blows or abdominal thrusts is only indicated if the obstruction becomes severe (unable to speak/cough, weak cough).

10In the FAST acronym used for recognizing a stroke, what does the letter 'F' stand for?

A.Fainting

B.Face drooping

C.First aid call

D.Finger numbness

Explanation: The 'F' in FAST stands for Face drooping. Responders ask the casualty to smile and check if one side of the face is weak or droops, which is a classic sign of acute stroke. FAST stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 112/999.

About the PHECC FAR Exam

The Ireland PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) exam is the statutory standard for workplace first-aid responders under Health and Safety Authority (HSA) regulations. The certification process includes both a practical assessment of first-aid skills (CPR, AED, secondary survey, wound care) and a written Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) exam. It verifies competencies in managing patient assessments, adult and paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using Automated External Defibrillators (AED), care of the unconscious casualty, and responder safety.

Assessment

20 multiple-choice questions (written exam) plus a practical skills evaluation

Time Limit

30 minutes

Passing Score

60%

Exam Fee

€250 - €350 (Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC), Ireland)

PHECC FAR Exam Content Outline

20%

Patient Assessment

Primary and secondary surveys, SAMPLE history taking, monitoring vital signs (breathing, circulation, skin, conscious level)

30%

Cardiac First Response (CFR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adult, child, and infant; Automated External Defibrillator (AED) operation; choking; stroke (FAST)

20%

Common Medical Emergencies

First aid management for heart attack, angina, asthma, diabetes, seizures, poisoning, fainting, and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

20%

Injury Management and Shock

Bleeding control, wound dressing, fracture immobilization, sprains and strains, head/spinal injury management, and shock recognition/care

10%

Care of the Unconscious Patient

Airway maintenance, breathing checks, and proper recovery position placement for breathing casualties

How to Pass the PHECC FAR Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60%
Assessment: 20 multiple-choice questions (written exam) plus a practical skills evaluation
Time limit: 30 minutes
Exam fee: €250 - €350

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PHECC FAR Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the Primary Survey sequence: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing (DRAB).

2Understand the CPR compression-to-breath ratio of 30:2 for all ages (adult, child, infant) for a single responder.

3Practice the steps of using an AED: Turn it on, apply pads to bare chest, follow verbal prompts, and do not touch the patient during analysis or shocks.

4Learn the SAMPLE mnemonic for patient history: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medication, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading up.

5Recognize the signs of stroke using the FAST acronym: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 112 or 999.

6Know when to place a casualty in the recovery position: they must be unconscious but breathing normally.

7Remember to apply direct pressure and elevate a bleeding wound, using sterile dressings, and never remove an embedded object (stabilize it instead).

8Understand that for diabetic emergencies, if you are unsure if blood sugar is high or low, always administer sugar if they are conscious and can swallow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) certification?

PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) is the workplace first aid standard in Ireland, recognized by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). It replaced the old Occupational First Aid (OFA) standard. It trains individuals to provide first aid for injuries and sudden illnesses, manage emergency scenes, and administer CPR and AED care until emergency services arrive.

How long is the PHECC FAR course and certification valid?

The initial FAR training course is 18 hours long, typically delivered over 3 consecutive days or split sessions. Once earned, the PHECC FAR certification is valid for 2 years. To remain certified, you must complete a 2-day refresher (recertification) course before your current certificate expires.

What is the format of the PHECC FAR exam?

The FAR assessment has two parts: a hands-on Practical Skills Assessment and a written exam. The written exam consists of 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) to be completed in 30 minutes. You must achieve at least 60% (12 correct answers) to pass the written portion, and demonstrate practical proficiency in CPR, AED use, and bandaging.

How much does a PHECC FAR course cost in Ireland?

The cost of a full PHECC FAR course typically ranges between €250 and €350 per person, depending on the training provider. This fee generally covers classroom instruction, reference materials, examination fees, and the official PHECC certification.

Who can deliver a valid PHECC FAR exam and certificate?

Only institutions and training providers officially registered as PHECC Recognised Institutions are authorized to deliver FAR training and issue valid certificates. A list of approved institutions is maintained on the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) website.

Is paediatric CPR covered in the PHECC FAR course?

Yes. Unlike generic basic first aid, the PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) standard incorporates Cardiac First Response (CFR) at the Community level, which includes infant and child CPR, choking management, and paediatric AED protocols alongside adult life support.