Test Your First-Aid Knowledge

Last year, St John Ambulance volunteers gave up

900,000 hours of their time to keep people safe at 26,000

public events.

1 You’re having lunch with a friend when she suddenly begins to choke on some food. She can’t speak, breathe or cough it up.

How can you help?

a) Stick your fingers down her throat to try to dislodge the obstruction b) Attempt to do the Heimlich manoeuvre on her c) Give up to five back blows between her shoulder blades

2 Your colleague is complaining of breathlessness and a tight pain in the chest. You suspect a heart attack. What should you do?

a) Get him to lay down flat b) Encourage him to stand up and move around slowly c) Get him to sit down in a comfortable position

3 One of your friends has cut his arm and is bleeding severely. How do you treat it?

a) Put the injured limb in some cold water b) Apply direct pressure over the wound c) Give him an aspirin

4 You’re walking home and see a man lying on the ground. You ask him if he’s all right but he doesn’t respond. What should you do next?

a) Leave him to wake up by himself b) Begin CPR c) Check his airway is clear

5 You need to perform CPR on your neighbour after she collapsed and stopped breathing. How many chest compressions to rescue breaths should you do?

a) 30 compressions to two breaths b) 20 compressions to five breaths c) 15 compressions to three breaths

Answers

1 c: If she cannot clear the object herself, support her with one hand while leaning her forwards, give up to five back blows between her shoulder blades.

2 c: You need to ease the strain on his heart, so make him as comfortable as possible. A half-sitting position, with his head and shoulders supported and knees bent is best.

3 b: Apply direct pressure over the wound with your hand using a clean dressing. If you don’t have a dressing, ask him to apply pressure himself. Maintain direct pressure on the wound to control bleeding.

4 c: Check the airway is open and clear by tilting the head and lifting the chin to open the airway. 5 a: 30 compressions to two breaths.