First Aid Practice Test (Ireland) 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   Step 2 of this diagram shows a phone call. Which numbers reach the emergency services in Ireland?

   • A112 or 999
   • B111 only
   • C1800 only
   • D911 only
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 112 or 999

   In Ireland, call 112 or 999 for an ambulance.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Step 1 of the diagram is checking. In the PHECC primary survey, what comes first?

   • AScene safety and infection control precautions, such as gloves
   • BMoving the patient to a car or a quiet room
   • CChecking the patient's pulse at the wrist for one full minute first
   • DAsking the patient for their name and medical card
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Scene safety and infection control precautions, such as gloves

   The primary survey starts with scene safety and standard infection control precautions, such as gloves.

3. Question 3 of 25

   During the primary survey you find catastrophic bleeding. When should you control it?

   • AAfter a full head-to-toe check of the patient for other injuries
   • BAfter checking breathing for 1 minute
   • COnly after the ambulance arrives
   • DStraight away, before going on with the rest of the survey
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Straight away, before going on with the rest of the survey

   Catastrophic external bleeding is controlled at the very start of the primary survey.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A patient does not respond when you speak to them and tap them. What should you do next?

   • ACall 112 or 999 and check their breathing
   • BSit them up in a chair and wait for them to come round
   • CGive them a drink of water
   • DLeave them to sleep
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Call 112 or 999 and check their breathing

   If the patient is unresponsive, call 112 or 999 and check breathing.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How do you open the airway of an unresponsive adult with no suspected spinal injury?

   • AHead tilt and chin lift
   • BPush the chin down to the chest
   • CTurn the head fully to one side
   • DPull the tongue forward with your fingers
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Head tilt and chin lift

   Use a head tilt and chin lift. A jaw thrust can be used if a spinal injury is suspected.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is a normal breathing rate for a resting adult?

   • A12 to 20 breaths per minute
   • B30 to 40 breaths per minute
   • C50 to 60 breaths per minute
   • D2 to 5 breaths per minute
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 12 to 20 breaths per minute

   PHECC lists a normal adult respiratory rate of 12 to 20 per minute.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What is a normal pulse rate for a resting adult?

   • A60 to 100 beats per minute
   • B20 to 40 beats per minute
   • C120 to 160 beats per minute
   • D180 to 200 beats per minute
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 60 to 100 beats per minute

   PHECC lists a normal adult pulse of 60 to 100 per minute.

8. Question 8 of 25

   An adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally, or only gasping. What should you do?

   • ACheck their pulse for 2 minutes
   • BPut them in the recovery position and wait
   • CCall 112 or 999, get an AED and start CPR
   • DGive them sugar
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Call 112 or 999, get an AED and start CPR

   Unresponsive and not breathing normally means cardiac arrest: call for help, get an AED and start CPR.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In the diagram, marker 1 shows the compression point on an adult. Where is it?

   • AOver the left ribs, close to the left armpit, above where the heart is
   • BAt the very top of the breastbone, near the throat
   • COn the upper tummy, just below the ribs
   • DIn the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone
   Show answer

   Answer: D. In the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone

   Push in the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How many chest compressions per minute should you give during CPR?

    • A100 to 120 per minute
    • B130 to 150 per minute
    • C30 to 50 per minute
    • D60 to 80 per minute
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 100 to 120 per minute

    PHECC guidelines give a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What depth do PHECC guidelines give for adult chest compressions?

    • A5 to 6 cm
    • B3 to 4 cm
    • C1 to 2 cm
    • D8 to 10 cm
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 5 to 6 cm

    Compress an adult chest 5 to 6 cm, the green band in the diagram.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Marker 2 shows an up arrow. What should happen after each compression?

    • AYou should pull the chest upwards
    • BYou should pause for 5 seconds before the next push
    • CYou should keep leaning on the chest
    • DThe chest should come all the way back up
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The chest should come all the way back up

    Let the chest recoil fully so the heart can refill with blood.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What is the ratio of compressions to breaths in adult CPR?

    • A5 compressions to 1 breath
    • B30 compressions to 2 breaths
    • C15 compressions to 2 breaths
    • D50 compressions to 5 breaths
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths

    PHECC uses 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Each ventilation in adult CPR should be given over how long?

    • AAs long as you can blow
    • BAbout 5 seconds
    • CAbout 1 second
    • DAbout 10 seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 1 second

    Give each ventilation over about 1 second.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What is the most time you should take off the chest for breaths or other tasks?

    • ALess than 10 seconds
    • BAbout 2 minutes
    • CAbout 30 seconds
    • DAbout 1 minute
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Less than 10 seconds

    Keep hands-off time under 10 seconds so blood keeps moving.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You cannot give rescue breaths. What should you do?

    • AGive compression-only CPR
    • BGive breaths only
    • CStop CPR completely
    • DWait for the ambulance without doing anything else
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Give compression-only CPR

    If you cannot ventilate, continue with compression-only CPR.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How deep should compressions be for a child?

    • AAbout 10 cm, as deep as you can push with both hands
    • BJust enough to make a dent in the skin
    • CAbout one-third of the chest depth, about 5 cm
    • DAbout 1 cm, just enough to see movement
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About one-third of the chest depth, about 5 cm

    For children, compress about one-third of the chest depth: about 5 cm with two hands, or about 4 cm with one hand for a small child.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How deep should compressions be for an infant?

    • AAbout 8 cm, roughly half of the depth of the chest
    • BAbout 1 cm, a very gentle press
    • CAbout one-third of the chest depth, about 4 cm
    • DAbout 6 cm, the same as an adult
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About one-third of the chest depth, about 4 cm

    For infants, compress about one-third of the chest depth, about 4 cm.

19. Question 19 of 25

    At First Aid Response level, what compression-to-breath ratio is used for children and infants?

    • A5:1
    • B15:1
    • C3:1
    • D30:2
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 30:2

    The PHECC FAR guidelines use 30:2 for children and infants as well as adults.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which AED pads should be used for a child under 8 years?

    • ANo pads, because an AED is never used on a child
    • BAdult pads cut in half to make them smaller
    • COnly one adult pad, placed flat in the very centre of the child's chest
    • DPaediatric pads, or adult pads if paediatric pads are not available
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Paediatric pads, or adult pads if paediatric pads are not available

    Use paediatric pads for children under 8. If none are available, use adult pads.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Where do AED pads go on an infant?

    • AOne on each leg, just above the knee, to keep them apart
    • BBoth on the front of the chest, overlapping
    • CBoth side by side on the back
    • DOne on the front of the chest and one on the back
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One on the front of the chest and one on the back

    For infants, place the AED pads front (anterior) and back (posterior).

22. Question 22 of 25

    In the diagram, where is AED pad 1 placed on the adult's chest?

    • AOn the neck
    • BOn the upper right chest, below the collarbone
    • COn the tummy
    • DOn the upper left chest, directly over the heart
    Show answer

    Answer: B. On the upper right chest, below the collarbone

    One pad goes on the upper right chest below the collarbone. Follow the pictures on the pads.

23. Question 23 of 25

    In the diagram, where is AED pad 2 placed?

    • AOn the inside of the left upper arm, close to the armpit
    • BOn top of the left shoulder
    • COn the lower left side of the chest, below the armpit
    • DOn the right hip, below the belt line
    Show answer

    Answer: C. On the lower left side of the chest, below the armpit

    The second pad goes on the lower left side so the shock crosses the heart.

24. Question 24 of 25

    The AED is analysing or about to shock. What must everyone do?

    • APress on the pads
    • BHold the patient's hand to reassure them
    • CKeep doing compressions
    • DStand clear and not touch the patient
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stand clear and not touch the patient

    Nobody should touch the patient during analysis or a shock.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What should you do straight after the AED gives a shock?

    • ACheck the pulse at the neck for 1 minute
    • BRestart CPR at once, starting with compressions
    • CRemove the pads so you can do compressions
    • DWait 2 minutes for the heart rhythm to settle down
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Restart CPR at once, starting with compressions

    Resume compressions immediately and keep hands-off time short.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: No single government exam. The course provider runs the skills assessment and multiple-choice exam. The certificate is valid for two years.