Which protective barriers should be used when providing first aid and CPR?

• A. Eye Protection
• B. Gloves and Breathing Barrier
• C. Gowns and Masks
• D. No barrier needed

Answer: (B)

Protecting yourself while giving first aid and CPR is the main idea here. Gloves prevent contact with blood and bodily fluids, while a breathing barrier lets you provide rescue breaths without direct mouth-to-mouth contact. This combination directly reduces the risk of transmitting infections to you and to the person you’re helping, which is why it’s the recommended approach. Eye protection or gowns aren’t usually required for standard CPR, and doing CPR without any barrier increases exposure risk. If you have gloves and a breathing barrier, use them; if not, use hands-only CPR to reduce exposure until help arrives.