Courses · Emergency Response
CPR — Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Theory
DRSABCD, compressions, rescue breaths and defibrillation — the theory behind resuscitation, aligned to current ANZCOR guidelines.
Important — this module does not certify you
IMPORTANT — This is a non-accredited theory course. It is NOT the nationally recognised unit HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and this Certificate of Completion is NOT a Statement of Attainment. Nationally recognised CPR certification requires in-person practical assessment on a manikin through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), including assessment of compressions performed on the floor. Most employers require HLTAID009 renewed annually. Use this module to build and refresh your knowledge, and to prepare for practical assessment — not as a substitute for it.
About this module
Cardiac arrest is survivable, and what determines survival is what a bystander does in the first few minutes. This module teaches the DRSABCD action plan, how to recognise cardiac arrest, correct compression technique and depth for adults, children and infants, rescue breathing, using an AED, and the specific considerations that arise when the person is a participant you support.
Who it is for
All support workers, SIL and group home staff, community workers, and anyone who may be alone with a participant.
What you will be able to do
- Work through the DRSABCD action plan in the correct order
- Recognise cardiac arrest, including abnormal (agonal) breathing
- Describe correct compression rate, depth and ratio for adults, children and infants
- Explain how and when to use an automated external defibrillator
- Place an unresponsive breathing person in the recovery position
- Identify participant-specific factors such as PEG tubes, tracheostomies and advance care directives
- Recognise and correct the five things that make compressions ineffective
- Work as one of two rescuers, and direct other people at the scene
- Describe where defibrillator pads go on an adult, a child and an infant
Aligned to
- ANZCOR (Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation) Guidelines
- NDIS Practice Standards — Provision of Supports
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 — first aid duties
Lesson plan
What the module covers
| # | Lesson | What it covers | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Before you start — what this module is and is not | Read this first. It matters legally and practically. | 5m |
| 02 | DRSABCD — the action plan | The sequence, in order, every time. | 12m |
| 03 | Compressions and rescue breaths | Rate, depth, hand position and ratio — for adults, children and infants. | 14m |
| 04 | Defibrillation and the recovery position | Using an AED, and what to do when someone is breathing but unresponsive. | 10m |
| 05 | Resuscitating someone you support | PEG tubes, tracheostomies, advance care directives, and the rest of the house. | 12m |
| 06 | Doing it well, and doing it with other people | Why good CPR degrades, how to notice, and how two people work without colliding. | 12m |
| 07 | The first minute, and how to be ready for it | Why trained people freeze, what to rehearse, and a scenario to think through. | 10m |
| ✓ | Final assessment | 17 scenario-based questions · pass mark 85% · unlimited attempts | ~15m |
Also in Emergency Response
First Aid
Bleeding, burns, fractures, anaphylaxis, asthma, seizures, stroke, diabetes and envenomation — first aid theory built around the emergencies that actually happen in support work.
Anaphylaxis
Recognise anaphylaxis, give adrenaline without hesitating, and know why lying the person flat matters as much as the injection itself.