First Aid, Emergency Response and Basic Life Support Awareness
First aid sequence: DRABC
Danger (protect yourself and the casualty), Response (call the name, tap the shoulder), Airway (head tilt, chin lift), Breathing (look, listen and feel for 10 seconds), Circulation (compressions). Send for help and note the time.
Adult CPR and AED
If the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start compressions at the centre of the chest with the heel of the hand, depth 5-6 cm, rate 100-120 per minute, full recoil, 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths if trained, otherwise hands-only. Use an AED as soon as it arrives; it analyses the rhythm itself and will not shock a normal rhythm.
Common emergencies
- Choking adult: five back blows then five abdominal thrusts, alternating.
- Severe bleeding: direct pressure with a clean pad, elevate, bandage firmly, do not remove the soaked pad.
- Burns: cool with running water for 20 minutes, remove jewellery, cover with cling film; no ice, no toothpaste, do not burst blisters.
- Fracture: immobilise in the found position, do not realign.
- Unconscious but breathing: recovery position, monitor breathing.
- Snake bite: keep still, immobilise the limb, remove rings; no cut, no suction, no tourniquet.
- Fainting: lie flat, raise the legs, loosen clothing. Never give food or fluids to an unconscious or semi-conscious person.
Worked example
A visitor collapses in the corridor. The GDA checks danger, shouts for help, taps the shoulders, finds no response and no normal breathing, and begins compressions while a colleague fetches the AED and trolley. Reasoning: compressions start before diagnosis is complete, because delay costs brain function.
Traps
Spending minutes trying to feel a pulse, giving water to an unconscious person, applying ice to a burn, or leaving a choking patient alone.