6.3 CPR/AED, Severe Bleeding, Shock, Burns & Fractures

Give Simple, High-Value Care Within Training

First-aid knowledge supports immediate action until EMS arrives; a study guide does not replace hands-on certification. Use current American Heart Association or American Red Cross training, follow the dispatcher and device prompts, and avoid invasive trauma procedures copied from professional protocols.

Cardiac Arrest, CPR, and AED

If an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally or is only gasping, call 911 or send a specific person to call, obtain an AED, and begin CPR. Current AHA guidance uses chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute, at least 2 inches deep for an average adult while avoiding more than 2.4 inches, with complete recoil and minimal interruptions. A lay rescuer who is not trained or not able to provide breaths can perform hands-only CPR. A trained rescuer follows the current course protocol.

Turn on the AED, expose and dry the chest as needed, attach pads as shown, and follow voice or visual prompts. Make sure no one touches the person during rhythm analysis or shock delivery. Resume compressions promptly when directed. Do not stop because the AED says "no shock advised"; follow its next prompt and continue until the person shows signs of life, trained help takes over, the scene becomes unsafe, or the responder cannot continue.

Life-Threatening Bleeding and Shock

Use gloves or another barrier when possible. Expose the wound enough to find the source and apply firm direct pressure with gauze or a clean material. If blood soaks through, add material and maintain pressure rather than repeatedly lifting the dressing. For life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg that direct pressure does not control, use a commercial tourniquet if trained, following the device instructions and dispatcher guidance. Record the application time and do not loosen it unless qualified medical direction says to do so.

Do not remove an embedded object. Apply pressure around it and stabilize it with dressings. Signs of shock can include pale or cool moist skin, rapid breathing or pulse, altered responsiveness, weakness, and thirst. Control bleeding, keep the person from becoming chilled or overheated, place them in the position that best supports breathing without unnecessary movement, and give nothing by mouth. Do not routinely elevate the legs of a collision victim; possible head, spine, pelvic, or limb injury and breathing problems make that blanket rule unsafe.

Burns, Fractures, and Head Injury

Stop the burning process only when safe. Cool a thermal burn with clean, cool running water; do not use ice, butter, grease, or adhesive material. Remove jewelry or loose clothing before swelling when it is not stuck, but do not pull away material attached to the skin. Cover loosely with a clean nonstick dressing and obtain emergency care for serious burns. For a dry chemical, brush it away before flushing if the product guidance permits; avoid contaminating yourself. Electrical hazards must be disconnected by qualified personnel before contact.

For a suspected fracture, leave the part in the position found, control bleeding without pressing a protruding bone, and support it without trying to straighten it. Do not push a bone or tissue back into a wound. Head-injury warnings include worsening responsiveness, repeated vomiting, seizure, severe headache, unequal pupils, or fluid from an ear or nose. Call 911 and do not diagnose using a roadside "halo test" or pack the ear or nose.

Choking and Medical Emergencies

If a responsive adult cannot cough, speak, or breathe, use the current trained choking procedure and call 911. For seizure, protect the person from nearby objects, do not restrain them, and place nothing in the mouth. For stroke signs or chest discomfort, activate EMS promptly. Do not transport a deteriorating student in the training vehicle when an ambulance is the safer response.

An answer that asks an ordinary instructor to perform a jaw thrust, chest seal, wound packing, START triage, or other advanced procedure is suspect unless the scenario clearly gives current training and equipment.

Keep Skills Current

CPR, AED, bleeding-control, and choking procedures change as evidence and training programs update. Renew hands-on training and use the protocol taught by the current recognized course. Check the school's AED and first-aid supplies under policy, but distinguish readiness from a California vehicle-equipment mandate. Scenario questions should favor simple actions that preserve life and prevent worsening: call early, compress effectively, apply pressure, cool rather than freeze a burn, support rather than straighten an injury, and continue monitoring.