HEARTCODE BLS QUESTION BANK
2026 FULL SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What should you do if you need to use an AED on someone who is
submerged in water?
Answer: Pull the person out of the water, and wipe their chest.
Water and other liquids conduct electricity. Do not use an AED in water.
If the person is in water, pull them out of the water. If their chest is
covered with water or sweat, quickly wipe their chest before attaching
the AED pads.
◉ A 9-year-old child suddenly collapsed. After confirming that the
scene is safe, you determine that the child is in cardiac arrest, you shout
for nearby help, and you activate the emergency response system by
using your mobile device. You immediately begin performing high-
quality CPR.
A second rescuer arrives to help. What should you do next?
Answer: Tell the second rescuer to go get the AED.
Early defibrillation increases the chance of survival from cardiac arrest
that is caused by an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm, or an
arrhythmia.
◉ (follow up to 9-year old child collapse)
,The second rescuer returned with the AED.
One shock was delivered, and the AED prompted you to immediately
resume CPR. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for child 2-
rescuer CPR?
Answer: 15 compressions to 2 ventilations
Infant and child cardiac arrests are more commonly due to respiratory
causes. As a result, for most infants and children in cardiac arrest, giving
chest compressions alone does not deliver oxygenated blood to the heart
and brain as effectively as giving both compressions and breaths.
Continue cycles of CPR with 15 compressions and 2 breaths when there
is a second rescuer.
◉ You witness someone suddenly collapse. The person is unresponsive,
you hear agonal gasps, and there is no pulse. You call 911. What should
you do next?
Answer: Begin CPR; the gasps are not considered normal breathing.
Be prepared to begin high-quality CPR. Gasping is not normal breathing
and is a sign of cardiac arrest.
◉ Defibrillation is a link in the Chain of Survival. Why is early
defibrillation important to survival?
Answer: It may restore a regular heart rhythm
, The AED identifies abnormal heart rhythms as shockable or
nonshockable. The shock stops the abnormal heart rhythm. This resets
the heart's electrical system so that a normal (organized) heart rhythm
can return.
◉ A 53-year-old woman collapses at a sporting event. She is
unresponsive, so you shout for help. She is not breathing and does not
have a pulse. You start CPR, and emergency responders arrive with an
AED.
What is the first step you should take when using the AED?
Answer: Turn on the AED and follow the prompts.
Begin by opening the AED. If needed, power it on. During a
resuscitation attempt, follow the AED's prompts. These may be
electronic voice prompts or digital screen prompts.
◉ After the AED pads are attached to the patient, the AED detects a
shockable rhythm. You hear the AED prompt that a shock is advised.
What should you do next?
Answer: Clear the patient by shouting, "Clear!"
Before delivering the shock, clear the person. Do this by making sure
that no one is touching the person. Loudly state a "clear the person"
message, such as "Everybody clear!" Look to be sure that no one is in
contact with the person.
2026 FULL SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What should you do if you need to use an AED on someone who is
submerged in water?
Answer: Pull the person out of the water, and wipe their chest.
Water and other liquids conduct electricity. Do not use an AED in water.
If the person is in water, pull them out of the water. If their chest is
covered with water or sweat, quickly wipe their chest before attaching
the AED pads.
◉ A 9-year-old child suddenly collapsed. After confirming that the
scene is safe, you determine that the child is in cardiac arrest, you shout
for nearby help, and you activate the emergency response system by
using your mobile device. You immediately begin performing high-
quality CPR.
A second rescuer arrives to help. What should you do next?
Answer: Tell the second rescuer to go get the AED.
Early defibrillation increases the chance of survival from cardiac arrest
that is caused by an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm, or an
arrhythmia.
◉ (follow up to 9-year old child collapse)
,The second rescuer returned with the AED.
One shock was delivered, and the AED prompted you to immediately
resume CPR. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for child 2-
rescuer CPR?
Answer: 15 compressions to 2 ventilations
Infant and child cardiac arrests are more commonly due to respiratory
causes. As a result, for most infants and children in cardiac arrest, giving
chest compressions alone does not deliver oxygenated blood to the heart
and brain as effectively as giving both compressions and breaths.
Continue cycles of CPR with 15 compressions and 2 breaths when there
is a second rescuer.
◉ You witness someone suddenly collapse. The person is unresponsive,
you hear agonal gasps, and there is no pulse. You call 911. What should
you do next?
Answer: Begin CPR; the gasps are not considered normal breathing.
Be prepared to begin high-quality CPR. Gasping is not normal breathing
and is a sign of cardiac arrest.
◉ Defibrillation is a link in the Chain of Survival. Why is early
defibrillation important to survival?
Answer: It may restore a regular heart rhythm
, The AED identifies abnormal heart rhythms as shockable or
nonshockable. The shock stops the abnormal heart rhythm. This resets
the heart's electrical system so that a normal (organized) heart rhythm
can return.
◉ A 53-year-old woman collapses at a sporting event. She is
unresponsive, so you shout for help. She is not breathing and does not
have a pulse. You start CPR, and emergency responders arrive with an
AED.
What is the first step you should take when using the AED?
Answer: Turn on the AED and follow the prompts.
Begin by opening the AED. If needed, power it on. During a
resuscitation attempt, follow the AED's prompts. These may be
electronic voice prompts or digital screen prompts.
◉ After the AED pads are attached to the patient, the AED detects a
shockable rhythm. You hear the AED prompt that a shock is advised.
What should you do next?
Answer: Clear the patient by shouting, "Clear!"
Before delivering the shock, clear the person. Do this by making sure
that no one is touching the person. Loudly state a "clear the person"
message, such as "Everybody clear!" Look to be sure that no one is in
contact with the person.
