Common first aid terms and acronyms form the language of emergency care in Australia, appearing on workplace safety posters, first aid kits, defibrillators, and in every training room across the country. Most Australians encounter this language long before they receive any training, so the terms can seem familiar without being understood. First aiders use this vocabulary to communicate quickly and act with precision when lives are at risk, and by understanding these terms, you can become someone who can provide first aid in medical emergencies.
The DRSABCD Action Plan: The Basic First Aid Steps
DRSABCD is the standard framework for responding to any life-threatening injury or illness as a first responder in Australia. These steps outline the general medical care and first aid technique that anyone can provide while waiting for professional help in emergency situations.
D: Danger
Check the scene for danger before approaching someone in need of help. You can’t help someone else if you become a casualty yourself. Instead, if it is safe to do so, either remove the danger or move the person away from it.
R: Response
Check to see if the person is conscious by tap the person’s shoulders firmly and ask loudly, “Can you hear me?” and seeing they are able to respond.
S: Send for Help
Call 000 or have someone else do it for you so you can focus on helping the injured person.
A: Airway
Open the person’s mouth to check for blockages like food, vomit, or loose teeth. If you see anything, clear it away using a two-finger sweep. Never perform a blind sweep as this can push any unseen obstructions even deeper.
B: Breathing
Check for breathing by looking at the chest for rise and fall, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for air on your cheek.
C: CPR
If the person is not breathing properly then you’ll need to perform CPR by delivering a cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths until they recover, help arrives, or you are physically unable to continue.
D: Defibrillation
When someone’s heart is not beating properly you’ll need to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) in between cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths. These devices detect someone’s heart rhythm, and if it is irregular they deliver an electric shock to help return it to normal.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR is a medical term that stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It uses a cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, and an AED shock if necessary, to help keep a person’s heart delivering oxygenated blood to the brain until an ambulance arrives.
How to Perform CPR on an Adult
Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers. Push down firmly to a depth of 5 to 6 centimetres at a rate of 1 to 2 each second, or 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Release fully between each compression to allow the chest to rise. After every 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths.
To give a rescue breath, tilt the person’s head back, pinch their nose shut, seal your mouth over theirs, and breathe in steadily for about one second. Watch for the chest to rise. If it does not rise, recheck the head position and try again.
AED: Automated External Defibrillator
AED stands for automated external defibrillator. During cardiac arrest, the heart quivers instead of pumping blood the way it’s supposed to. A shock is delivered by an AED to reset the heart’s electrical activity and gives it the chance to return to a normal rhythm.
Once switched on, the AED gives step-by-step voice instructions. Place one pad below the right collarbone and the other to the left side of the chest, below the armpit, on the person’s bare skin. The heart’s rhythm is then analysed automatically. If a shock is needed, the AED will instruct you to stand clear and press the shock button. If no shock is advised, continue CPR and follow the device’s prompts.
FAST: Spot the Signs of a Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, either by a blockage or a burst blood vessel. FAST is a common first aid term to help people remember the signs of a stroke so they can get medical help as soon as possible. FAST stands for:
F: Face Drooping
The first sign is if one side of their face droops or the smile appears uneven. The person may also feel numbness or weakness on one side.
A: Arm Weakness
Ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downward or cannot be raised, that indicates the level of weakness consistent with a stroke.
S: Speech Difficulty
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, such as “The sky is blue.” Slurred speech, garbled words, or an inability to speak are all signs to act on.
T: Time to Call 000
If you observe any of these signs, call 000 immediately.
RICE vs PEACE & LOVE
For years RICE was the go to acronym to administer first aid for strains and sprains. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevations, although sometimes it was referred to as RICER with the final R standing for Referral. However, recent research defers from using ice as part of first aid; though it eases pain and swelling, it’s been found that inflammation is a part of the body’s natural healing processes. As such, PEACE & LOVE is now the recommended first aid treatment for soft tissue injuries.
PEACE covers the initial management phase:
Protection: rest as much as you can for the next three days. Avoid going fully immobile, as some movement is necessary to help you recover.
Elevation: raise the limb above heart level.
Avoid anti-inflammatory modalities: do not apply ice or take anti-inflammatory medication during the initial healing period.
Compression: wrap the area in a compression bandage.
Education: speak to a doctor or for advice specific to your particular injury.
LOVE covers the long-term recovery phase, and is used for rehabiliitation, not first aid. Regardless, the two terms appear together.
Load: gradually return the injured area to activity through guided movement.
Optimism: a positive outlook is associated with better recovery outcomes.
Vascularisation: begin gentle aerobic exercise as early as you can.
Exercise: progress through a structured programme to restore strength and function.
Other Acronyms and First Aid Terms
Beyond the acronyms already covered, there are several other common first aid terms and abbreviations that appear in Australian first aid training and practice.
AVPU
AVPU is a consciousness scale used to quickly assess a casualty’s level of awareness. It stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive.
PPE
PPE stands for personal protective equipment. In first aid, PPE includes gloves, face shields, and eye protection. It is worn to reduce the risk of cross-infection between a first aider and the casualty during treatment.
BLS
BLS stands for basic life support. It refers to the set of actions used to maintain circulation and breathing in a person whose heart or breathing has stopped, including CPR and defibrillation. BLS forms the foundation of the DRSABCD action plan.
Save Lives in an Emergency with CPR and First Aid Training
Armed with this knowledge, you’re in a better position to be able to help out in an emergency medical situation than you were before. But knowledge is nothing without technique. The best way to practice these common first aid terms is to learn first aid through a training course. When you enrol in a first aid course, your presence at an emergency can mean the difference between life and death for the person in front of you.
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
A heart attack occurs when blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. The heart may continue to beat, but the affected section of muscle begins to die from lack of oxygen. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating in a coordinated way entirely; the person immediately loses consciousness and stops breathing, and CPR and defibrillation are required immediately.
What Is the First Aid for an Allergic Reaction?
For a mild to moderate allergic reaction, remove the person from the allergen trigger if possible and monitor them closely for any sign of worsening. If the person has an adrenaline auto-injector, use it at the first sign of anaphylaxis and call 000. If the person does not improve after five minutes administer a second dose if one is available.
How Should You Wrap a Bandage?
Start from the point furthest from the heart, such as the hand or foot, and wrap upward in overlapping layers, with each layer covering roughly half the one before it. The bandage should be firm enough to apply pressure without cutting off circulation. Secure the end with a bandage clip or medical tape rather than a pin.
