The answer options
- 240 time per minute
- 60 times per minute
- 120 time per minuteCorrect
- 25 times per minute
Why that is the answer
Official first aid guidance recommends giving chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute for an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally. This rhythm, equal to about two compressions per second, mimics a heart rate sufficient to keep oxygenated blood circulating to vital organs. Pushing 60 times per minute is too slow to maintain circulation, while 240 compressions per minute is far too fast to perform effective, deep compressions.
How this comes up in the real test
Questions from incidents, accidents and emergencies appear throughout the 50-question multiple-choice section, and the wording changes between versions. Learn the rule rather than the sentence: the DVSA can ask the same point from the opposite direction, and a memorised answer falls over the moment the phrasing moves.
The pass mark is 43 out of 50, so seven wrong answers is your entire margin. If a whole category is shaky, run the topic practice below until you are getting every question right for the right reason, then go back to full mocks under the clock.
More incidents, accidents and emergencies questions
- After a collision, someone is unconscious in their vehicle. When should you call the emergency services?
- An adult casualty isn’t breathing. CPR should be administered to keep the blood flowing. How hard should you press against their chest?
- An injured motorcyclist is lying unconscious in the road. The traffic has stopped and there’s no further danger. What could you do to help?
- An injured person has been placed in the recovery position. They’re unconscious but breathing normally. What else should be done?
- At an incident, a casualty is unconscious but breathing. When should you move them?
- At an incident, a casualty isn’t breathing. What should you do while helping them to start breathing again?