When administering first aid, which should come first: artificial ventilation or control of bleeding?

• A. Artificial ventilation first, then control bleeding
• B. Control bleeding first, then ventilation
• C. Do both at once
• D. Neither

Answer: (A)

When someone isn’t breathing, the first priority is to restore oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. Artificial ventilation opens and maintains the airway and provides breaths, which buys time and prevents hypoxia to the brain and heart. Once breathing support is underway, you can turn your attention to controlling bleeding. In practice, you should not delay giving breaths to wait for bleeding to be controlled, and you can address bleeding as you continue ventilation. This sequence helps stabilize the person most quickly, then helps manage other life-threatening issues.