First Aid at Work Practice Test (UK) 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   St John Ambulance calls the first check of a casualty the primary survey. What does DR ABC stand for?

   • ADoctor, Rescue, Ambulance, Bandage, Care
   • BDanger, Recovery, Alert, Bleeding, Calm
   • CDanger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation
   • DDefibrillator, Response, Ambulance, Bleeding, Compressions
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation

   DR ABC is the order of the primary survey: check for danger, response, airway, breathing and circulation.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Step 1 of this diagram shows checking. What is the very first thing you check when you arrive at an incident?

   • AThe casualty's name and address
   • BWhether there is a first aid kit and a defibrillator nearby
   • CThe casualty's pulse
   • DThat the area is safe for you, the casualty and bystanders
   Show answer

   Answer: D. That the area is safe for you, the casualty and bystanders

   Danger comes first. Make sure it is safe to approach before you do anything else.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Step 2 of the diagram shows calling for help. Which numbers reach the emergency services in the UK?

   • A111 only
   • B999 or 112
   • C101 only
   • D911 only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 999 or 112

   Call 999 or 112 for an ambulance. 111 and 101 are non-emergency numbers.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How do you check whether a casualty is responsive?

   • ALift their head off the floor and shake it gently
   • BPour cold water on their face and wait
   • CGently shake their shoulders and ask loudly, "Are you OK?"
   • DPinch their ear lobe hard and watch their eyes for any movement
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly, "Are you OK?"

   Gently shaking the shoulders and speaking loudly checks for a response without moving the neck.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Under the 2025 Resuscitation Council UK guidelines, when should you call 999 for a person who is unresponsive?

   • AStraight away, without waiting to check their breathing first
   • BOnly after 2 minutes of CPR
   • COnly if they are still not breathing after you have checked for 1 minute
   • DOnly if a doctor asks you to
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Straight away, without waiting to check their breathing first

   The 2025 guidelines say call 999 for any unresponsive person without delay, then assess breathing while the call connects.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You are on your own with a mobile phone and an unresponsive casualty. What should you do with the phone?

   • APut it on speaker so your hands are free while you talk
   • BLeave it in your pocket until you have finished CPR and can talk
   • CHold it to your ear with one hand while you work
   • DSend a text message to the emergency number
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Put it on speaker so your hands are free while you talk

   Using the speaker lets you follow the call handler's instructions while you check breathing and start CPR.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How do you open the airway during the primary survey?

   • ATilt the head back with a hand on the forehead and lift the chin
   • BTurn the head fully to one side and press down firmly on the cheek
   • CPush the chin down towards the chest with one hand
   • DPut your fingers in the mouth to hold the tongue down
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Tilt the head back with a hand on the forehead and lift the chin

   The head tilt and chin lift lifts the tongue from the back of the throat.

8. Question 8 of 25

   How long should you look, listen and feel for normal breathing?

   • AAbout 1 second
   • BUp to 10 seconds
   • CAbout 1 minute
   • DAbout 30 seconds
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Up to 10 seconds

   Check breathing for up to 10 seconds. A longer check delays CPR.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which breathing pattern is a sign of cardiac arrest?

   • ASlow, laboured breathing, or occasional gasps
   • BSteady, quiet breathing
   • CFast breathing in a person who is talking
   • DNormal breathing with snoring sounds while asleep
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Slow, laboured breathing, or occasional gasps

   Slow or laboured breathing, gasping or panting in an unresponsive person can mean cardiac arrest. If in doubt, start CPR.

10. Question 10 of 25

    An unresponsive person had a few seconds of jerky movements and is now gasping. What should you think?

    • AThis can happen as the heart stops: call 999 and start CPR
    • BThey need sugar by mouth before anything else
    • CThey have had a simple faint and will soon be fine if left to rest
    • DThey are in a deep sleep and should be left to rest
    Show answer

    Answer: A. This can happen as the heart stops: call 999 and start CPR

    A brief seizure-like episode can occur when the heart stops. If you are in doubt, assume cardiac arrest.

11. Question 11 of 25

    During the primary survey you see life-threatening bleeding. When should you deal with it?

    • AOnly after the ambulance arrives
    • BAfter you finish checking breathing for 10 seconds
    • CStraight away, by pressing on the wound, before checking the airway
    • DAfter you complete a full top-to-toe survey of the casualty's injuries
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Straight away, by pressing on the wound, before checking the airway

    Life-threatening bleeding is controlled with direct pressure at once, and 999 or 112 is called.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What do you do after the primary survey and treating any life-threatening problems?

    • AGive the casualty food and drink
    • BCarry out a secondary survey, a top-to-toe check
    • CLeave the casualty to rest alone
    • DMove the casualty to a car and drive them to hospital yourself
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Carry out a secondary survey, a top-to-toe check

    The secondary survey looks for other injuries and illnesses once life-threatening problems are dealt with.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Marker 1 shows where to place your hands for adult chest compressions. Where is it?

    • AOver the left side of the ribs, directly above where the heart sits
    • BAt the top of the breastbone, near the neck
    • COn the upper part of the tummy
    • DOn the lower half of the breastbone, in the centre of the chest
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On the lower half of the breastbone, in the centre of the chest

    Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum with the other hand on top.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Marker 3 shows the rescuer. How should your arms be during compressions?

    • AStraight, with your shoulders directly above your hands
    • BBent at the elbows, so you can push quickly
    • CResting on your knees between each compression
    • DSpread wide apart, with one hand on each side of the casualty's chest
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Straight, with your shoulders directly above your hands

    Keep your arms straight and your shoulders over your hands so you push straight down.

15. Question 15 of 25

    At what speed should you give chest compressions to an adult?

    • A60 to 80 per minute
    • B100 to 120 per minute
    • C40 to 50 per minute
    • D130 to 150 per minute
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 100 to 120 per minute

    Compress at 100 to 120 per minute.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How deep should chest compressions be for an adult?

    • AAt least 8 cm
    • BAt least 5 cm, but not more than 6 cm
    • CAbout 2 cm
    • DAbout 3 cm
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 5 cm, but not more than 6 cm

    Compress to a depth of at least 5 cm but no more than 6 cm. The green band in the diagram shows this range.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Marker 2 shows an up arrow. What does it remind you to do?

    • ALift your hands high off the chest
    • BLet the chest recoil fully after each compression
    • CPause for 5 seconds between compressions so the heart can refill
    • DPull up on the ribs
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Let the chest recoil fully after each compression

    Allow the chest to come all the way back up after each compression.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You are trained in rescue breaths. What is the CPR cycle for an adult?

    • A50 compressions, then 5 breaths
    • B5 compressions, then 1 breath
    • C15 compressions, then 2 breaths
    • D30 chest compressions, then 2 rescue breaths
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 30 chest compressions, then 2 rescue breaths

    Trained rescuers alternate 30 chest compressions with 2 rescue breaths.

19. Question 19 of 25

    You have not been trained to give rescue breaths. What should you do for an adult in cardiac arrest?

    • AGive continuous chest compressions without stopping
    • BGive compressions for 1 minute, then stop and wait for the ambulance
    • CGive rescue breaths only
    • DGive no CPR at all
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Give continuous chest compressions without stopping

    If you are not trained in rescue breaths, perform continuous chest compressions.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How much air should each rescue breath give?

    • AJust enough to make the chest rise
    • BA tiny puff that does not move the chest
    • CEnough to make the tummy swell
    • DAs much as you can blow
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Just enough to make the chest rise

    Give just enough air to make the chest rise. Too much air can go into the stomach.

21. Question 21 of 25

    You cannot get air into the casualty's lungs after two attempts. What should you consider?

    • AThat something may be blocking the airway (choking)
    • BThat the AED is broken
    • CThat the casualty does not need breaths and only needs compressions
    • DThat you should stop CPR
    Show answer

    Answer: A. That something may be blocking the airway (choking)

    If you cannot ventilate after two attempts, consider a foreign body airway obstruction.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A bystander who gave CPR feels very upset afterwards. What does the 2025 Resuscitation Council UK guidance recognise?

    • ARescuers and bystanders may need support after a traumatic event
    • BOnly health professionals ever feel upset after giving CPR
    • CBystanders should never talk to anyone about what happened
    • DFeeling upset afterwards means the CPR was done wrong
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Rescuers and bystanders may need support after a traumatic event

    The 2025 guidelines note that rescuers may benefit from support after a potentially traumatic experience.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Who can use an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

    • AOnly doctors and nurses
    • BAnyone, even without training
    • COnly trained first aiders with a certificate
    • DOnly paramedics
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Anyone, even without training

    Anyone can use an AED. It gives spoken or visual instructions.

24. Question 24 of 25

    The AED arrives. What is the first thing you do with it?

    • ARead the full printed manual before you do anything
    • BSwitch it on (if it does not start itself) and follow its instructions
    • CShake it to check that the battery is working
    • DLeave it closed until the ambulance crew arrives, because only they may use it
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Switch it on (if it does not start itself) and follow its instructions

    Turn the AED on and follow the voice or visual prompts.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Pad 1 in the diagram goes on bare skin. Where?

    • AOn the tummy button
    • BOver the heart, on the upper left chest just below the collarbone
    • COn the right side of the neck
    • DBelow the right collarbone, on the upper right chest
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Below the right collarbone, on the upper right chest

    One pad goes on the upper right chest below the collarbone, as shown on the pads.

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

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