Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

2 PREmergency Scene Management

Pulse – Check and assess the patient’s pulse rate, rhythm and strength - (see “normal pulse rates table” below.)

Rate – A patient’s pulse is normally assessed at the radial or carotid arteries in adults and the brachial artery in children because it is normally strong and easily felt in these locations. Count the number of beats in 30 seconds and multiply by two. If a patient has no pulse, then activate 911 and begin CPR immediately.

palpating for a carotid pulse

palpating for a brachial pulse

Normal Breathing Rates

Normal Pulse Rates

Age

Breaths/Min

Age

Beats/Min 60 – 80 80 – 150 120 – 150

Adults and Adolescents Children Age 1 – 12

12 – 20 15 – 30 25 – 50

Adults and Adolescents Children Age 1 – 12

Infants

Infants

65

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