Chest Compressions and Defibrillation

In the picture

1. 1Stacked hands on the lower breastbone: pressing straight down compresses the chest and moves blood.
2. 2Upper-right chest pad: one electrode that lets the defibrillator read the rhythm and deliver current through the chest.
3. 3Lower-left side chest pad: the second electrode that completes the path of current across the heart.
4. 4Portable defibrillator: the unit that analyses the rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock through the pads.

Examples

• A lifeguard starts chest compressions on a swimmer pulled from the water while someone else fetches the defibrillator.
• A bystander follows the defibrillator’s voice prompts in a shopping centre after a person collapses.

Quiz: Chest Compressions and Defibrillation (Age 14)

1. 1

   What is the main purpose of chest compressions?

   • To help the defibrillator read the heart rhythm
   • To keep blood moving to the brain and other organs until normal heart function returns
   • To restart a chaotic heart rhythm with an electric shock
2. 2

   What does a defibrillator do?

   • It analyses the heart rhythm and then gives medicine
   • It sends a controlled electric shock to stop a chaotic heart rhythm so a normal rhythm can restart
   • It presses straight down on the chest to move blood through the body
3. 3

   According to the card, when does a defibrillator work best?

   • When used after waiting several minutes for the heart to settle
   • When used only after chest compressions have restored a normal rhythm
   • When used quickly with chest compressions and emergency help

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.