SJAM First Aid at Workplace key terms

A quick, systematic check of the incident area before you approach, looking for hazards, the number of casualties and what help is needed, so that no one else is harmed.

Anything at the incident that could harm the rescuer, the casualty or bystanders, such as traffic, electricity, fire, fumes or unstable structures; it must be controlled before care begins.

The linked steps that give a person in cardiac arrest the best chance of survival: early recognition and calling for help, early CPR, early defibrillation, advanced care, and post-resuscitation support.

A structured primary survey: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. It guides a rescuer through safety, checking consciousness, opening the airway, confirming breathing and assessing severe bleeding.

Permission from a conscious casualty before you touch or treat them. When someone is unresponsive, consent is assumed because a reasonable person would want life-saving help.

Barrier items such as disposable gloves, aprons, eye protection and a resuscitation face shield that protect the first aider from blood and body fluids during contact with a casualty.

The request for an ambulance and professional help, giving the location, what happened, how many casualties there are, their condition and a call-back number, and staying on the line until released.

Chest compressions, with or without rescue breaths, that keep oxygenated blood moving around the body when the heart has stopped, buying time until defibrillation or advanced care arrives.

A downward push on the centre of the breastbone about 5 to 6 cm deep, at 100 to 120 per minute, followed by full recoil, which squeezes the heart and keeps blood circulating.

A breath delivered into a casualty's mouth, ideally through a face shield, when they are not breathing normally; each lasts about one second and should make the chest visibly rise.

A portable device that analyses the heart rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock when a shockable rhythm is detected in cardiac arrest, with voice prompts guiding the user through each step.

Fixing the two AED pads to a bare, dry chest - one below the right collarbone, one on the left side below the armpit - so the shock current passes through the heart muscle.

Occasional gasps, snoring or gurgling sounds in the first minutes after cardiac arrest; they are not normal breathing, so CPR and the AED are still needed straight away.

A stable side-lying position for an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally; it keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain from the mouth while help is on the way.

Continuous chest compressions without rescue breaths, used by untrained, unwilling or telephone-guided rescuers; it is far better than doing nothing for an adult in cardiac arrest.

Heavy, rapid blood loss from a wound that can kill within minutes; it is controlled with direct pressure, wound packing and, if needed, a tourniquet, while an ambulance is called.

Pressing firmly on or into a bleeding wound with a dressing or clean cloth and not lifting it to peek, so a clot can form and further blood loss is limited.

A strap tightened around a limb above a catastrophic bleed, used only when direct pressure and packing fail; the time of application is recorded and it is never loosened once fitted.

Firmly pushing gauze deep into a gaping wound, such as in the groin, armpit or thigh, so pressure is applied directly to the bleeding vessels from inside the wound.

A life-threatening state in which blood flow is inadequate for the body's needs, shown by pale clammy skin, a fast weak pulse, thirst and anxiety; keep the casualty lying down and warm.

Damage to skin and deeper tissue caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, friction or radiation; its treatment depends on size, depth and which parts of the body are affected.

The standard first treatment for a thermal or chemical burn: hold the area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes to stop the burning process and reduce pain and damage.

A break or crack in a bone caused by force or disease, recognised by pain, swelling, deformity and difficulty moving; support it in the position found and never try to straighten it.

Any rigid support, such as a padded board, sling or rolled magazine, secured around an injured limb and the joints above and below to keep the fracture still during movement.

Damage to the neck or back that may also injure the spinal cord; suspect it after falls, diving, road crashes or head injury, keep the head and neck still and move the casualty only if in danger.

A temporary disturbance of brain function after a blow to the head, causing headache, confusion, dizziness, memory loss or vomiting; the person should stop activity and be medically assessed.

Stretching or tearing of the ligaments around a joint from a twist, causing pain, swelling and bruising; managed with rest, ice, compression and elevation in the first 48 hours.

A corrosive substance in contact with the eye, needing immediate irrigation with clean, cool water for at least 20 minutes while the eyelids are held open, then urgent medical assessment.

A sudden interruption of blood flow to part of the brain; use FAST - Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech problems, Time to call an ambulance - and record when the symptoms began.

A blockage of the blood supply to heart muscle causing central chest pain that may spread to the arm, neck or jaw, with sweating, nausea and breathlessness; sit the person down and call for help.

A severe, rapidly developing allergic reaction with airway swelling, wheezing, widespread hives and a fall in blood pressure; it needs adrenaline from an auto-injector and an ambulance immediately.

A pre-filled device that delivers a measured dose of adrenaline into the outer thigh for anaphylaxis; the casualty's own device is used, and a second dose may be given after five minutes if there is no improvement.

Low blood sugar in a person with diabetes, causing hunger, sweating, trembling, confusion and sometimes aggression; if they are conscious and can swallow, give fast-acting sugar followed by a starchy snack.

A burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain causing jerking, stiffness or loss of awareness; protect the head, do not restrain the person or put anything in the mouth, and time the episode.

A blocked airway, usually by food, with coughing, difficulty speaking and struggling to breathe; encourage coughing, then give back blows and abdominal thrusts, and call an ambulance if it does not clear.

Tightening of the airways with wheeze, cough and difficulty breathing; the casualty sits upright and uses their reliever inhaler, usually with a spacer, and help is called if there is no improvement.

A review of workplace hazards, workforce size, shift patterns and distance from medical help that decides how many first aiders, what equipment and what training the site needs.

A clearly marked, regularly checked box of dressings, bandages, gloves, scissors and other supplies suited to the workplace's risks, kept stocked and accessible to trained staff.

A written entry describing the incident, the care given and the outcome, kept for legal and insurance purposes and used to help the workplace prevent similar injuries.

A trained employee responsible for giving immediate care, with the level of training - emergency first aider or full first aider - set by the workplace first aid needs assessment.