First Aid, Safety and Emergency Response
First Aid, Safety and Emergency Response
This domain tests your ability to act safely and in the right order at an emergency: assess, call for help, and give basic life support or first aid without causing harm.
Core rules
- Scene safety first. Use DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Call 108 (ambulance) or 112 (emergency) early; ask a bystander to call.
- CPR for adults: compressions 30:2, rate 100–120/min, depth 5–6 cm, allow full recoil; for children use 15:2 with two rescuers if trained, depth about one-third of chest.
- Choking: encourage coughing; if ineffective, give 5 back blows then 5 abdominal thrusts for adults and children over 1; for infants use 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts.
- Severe bleeding: direct pressure with a clean cloth, elevate if possible, do not remove soaked dressings.
- Burns: cool with running water for 20 minutes, remove jewellery, cover loosely; no ice, butter or toothpaste.
- Suspected fracture or spinal injury: immobilise, do not move unless in danger.
- Poisoning: do not induce vomiting; keep the container and call for advice.
- Snake bite: keep still, immobilise the limb, remove tight items, no tourniquet or cutting.
Worked example
An adult collapses in a community hall and does not respond. Reasoning: check danger and response, shout for help and call 108, open airway, check breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If not breathing normally, start CPR 30:2 at 100–120/min and use an AED as soon as available. Do not give water or try to sit the person up.
Traps that cost marks
- Spending minutes checking a pulse instead of starting compressions.
- Giving food or drink to an unconscious person.
- Applying ice or oil to burns.