First Aid and Emergency Care: Priorities and Life-Saving Actions
What this domain tests
This domain tests immediate life-saving actions, prioritisation, and safe first aid for common emergencies.
Core rules and concepts
- Scene safety first: do not become a second victim. Then check responsiveness and call for help.
- Adult CPR: unresponsive and not breathing normally → activate emergency response, start chest compressions. Rate 100–120/min, depth 5–6 cm, full recoil, 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
- Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean cloth; add layers if soaked; do not remove the first layer. Use a tourniquet only for life-threatening limb bleeding when direct pressure fails.
- Burns: cool with running water for at least 20 minutes; remove jewellery; cover with a clean non-stick dressing. Do not apply ice, toothpaste, or oil.
- Suspected fracture: immobilise in the position found; check pulse and sensation beyond the injury.
- Poisoning: identify the substance, do not induce vomiting, and contact a poison information centre.
Worked example
A worker collapses, is unresponsive, and gasps occasionally. Reasoning: occasional gasping is not normal breathing; treat as cardiac arrest. Call emergency services, start CPR with compressions first, and use an AED as soon as available. Do not spend time checking a pulse for more than 10 seconds.
Traps that cost marks
- Starting with breaths instead of compressions for an adult.
- Putting ice on a burn.
- Blind finger sweeps in the mouth.
- Moving a suspected spinal-injury patient without need.