Adult & Pediatric BLS Exam Prep Guide 
Before you take your BLS Certification Exam, make sure you’re confident in these core life-saving skills. This guide highlights the most critical CPR & AED concepts, ensuring you’re fully prepared to pass your exam and respond effectively in an emergency.
CPR Fundamentals
Checking for Responsiveness & Breathing
Tap the victim and shout, “Are you okay?” If no response, check for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If the person is not breathing or only gasping, call 911 and start CPR immediately.
High-Quality Chest Compressions
Compression Rate: 100-120 compressions per minute. Allow full chest recoil between compressions. Minimize interruptions—limit pauses to less than 10 seconds.
Compression Depth by Age:
- Adults: At least 2 inches (5 cm).
- Children: At least 1/3 of the chest depth (~2 inches or 5 cm).
- Infants: At least 1/3 of the chest depth (~1.5 inches or 4 cm).
Rescue Breathing & Ventilation
If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, provide rescue breaths. Each breath should last 1 second and make the chest visibly rise.
Breathing Rates by Age:
- Adults: 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths per minute).
- Children & Infants: 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths per minute).
If no pulse develops, begin CPR immediately (30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio).
Compression-to-Ventilation Ratios
| Scenario | Adult | Child & Infant |
|---|---|---|
| Single Rescuer | 30:2 | 30:2 |
| Two Rescuers | 30:2 | 15:2 |
Two-Rescuer CPR: One rescuer performs compressions, while the other provides ventilations. Switch roles every 2 minutes (or 5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent fatigue.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Use
Turn on the AED and follow voice prompts. Attach pads to the victim’s bare chest:
- Adults: One pad on the upper right chest, the other on the lower left side.
- Children (under 8 years old): Use pediatric pads if available.
- Infants: Place one pad on the chest and one on the back if using adult pads. Ensure no one is touching the victim before delivering a shock. After the shock (or if no shock is advised), immediately resume CPR.
Special Considerations
Choking (Airway Obstruction)
Adults & Children – Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver). Infants – Deliver 5 back slaps followed by 5 chest thrusts. Unconscious victim? Lower them to the ground and begin CPR.
Pregnant or Obese Choking Victims
Perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
Special CPR Situations
Drowning Victims: Give rescue breaths first before starting chest compressions. Pregnant Patients: Perform compressions slightly higher on the sternum. Patients with a Pacemaker: Place AED pads at least 1 inch away from the device. Opioid Overdose: Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available, then start CPR.