The world of first aid is full of common first aid terms and acronyms that can seem overwhelming to outsiders. Thankfully, many of them are given catchy acronyms or initialisms to make it easy for a newly trained first aider to remember under the pressure of a real life situation where their intervention could mean the difference between life and death. With a quick glance at this list of first aid terms it will quickly become clear that it’s all easier than it looks.
First Aid Basics
There are different levels of medical care, each with its own first aid terms. First aid is the entry level, and a trained first aider can help someone out in any health and safety emergency.
First aid is the immediate medical care provided to someone experiencing injuries or illnesses before professional medical care arrives. The goals of basic life support are to preserve life, prevent the injury or illness from worsening, and promote recovery.
While different conditions require different treatments, first aid procedures share the same foundation. A first responder must perform a primary survey to evaluate what happened, provide the appropriate care, and monitor the person until help arrives.
DRSABCD: A First Aiders Guide
DRSABCD is one of the broadest and most important first aid terms, encompassing several smaller first aid terms within itself. The acronym stands for Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, and Defibrillation. It’s a reminder of the steps one needs to take when they encounter someone who is unconscious, not breathing properly, or who has experienced sudden cardiac arrest.
Danger. Check for hazards like fire, wires, or traffic before approaching a casualty to administer first aid. You don’t want to risk becoming a victim yourself. Move the person from the hazard if it is safe to do so, or simply call emergency services for help.
Response. Check whether the person is conscious by calling their name and gently squeezing their shoulders. If they do not respond, you immediately send for help.
Send for help. Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
Airway. Open the person’s airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin, and check for foreign objects such as vomit blocking their airway. Remove anything you can see with your fingers, but never perform a blind sweep.
Breathing. Check whether the person is breathing normally by looking at their chest, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for air movement.
CPR. If the person is not breathing normally, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately.
Defibrillation. Use an AED if one is available.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
One of the most well-known first aid terms, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a life-saving first aid technique used as part of the DRSABCD action plan. It combines rescue breaths and chest compressions to keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until the heart can resume its normal rhythm.
Start by placing the heel of one hand on the centre of their chest, then place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers. Push down firmly to compress the chest about 5 to 6 centimetres deep at a rate of one compression every 1 to 2 seconds. After 30 compressions, tilt the person’s head back, lift their chin, pinch their nose closed, and give two breaths by sealing your mouth over theirs. Each breath should last about one second and make the chest rise visibly. Continue this process until the person recovers, an emergency medical technician arrives, or you are physically unable to continue.
For infants and babies, do not tilt their head back, give chest compressions 1 to 2 centimetres shallower, and rescue breaths should be replaced with a gentle puff of air.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is part of the DRSABCD action plan and should specifically be used when a person’s heart has stopped beating normally. This device detects heart rhythms and delivers an electric shock that briefly stops all electrical activity in the heart, giving it a chance to restart.
AEDs are designed to be so intuitive that anyone can use them, providing voice prompts and visual instructions throughout the process. Wipe away any moisture or sweat from the person’s chest and place one pad on the upper right chest below the collarbone and the other pad on the lower left side below the armpit. Ensure no one else is touching the person. If the AED detects a shockable rhythm, it charges itself and instructs you to deliver a controlled electric shock. Afterwards, resume CPR with chest compressions if necessary.
RICER vs PEACE & LOVE
For decades, people have used the first aid terms RICE and RICER (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and Referral) as a way to remember the steps for treating soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and muscle tears. However, recent research has led to the development of the PEACE & LOVE approach which is now recommended by medical experts. The steps in LOVE are for long term recovery and rehabilitation, so as a first aider, you only need to know the steps for PEACE.
P stands for Protection. Protect yourself by restricting movement using tape, braces, or crutches for up to three days to minimise bleeding and prevent further damage.
E stands for Elevation. Raise the injured limb above heart level to promote fluid drainage and reduce swelling.
A stands for Avoid anti-inflammatories. Research suggests that anti-inflammatory medications negatively affect the healing process. Use paracetamol for pain relief instead.
C stands for Compression. Apply pressure using bandages or tape to limit excessive swelling and bleeding.
E stands for Education. Seek advice from healthcare professionals about the best treatment approach for your injury.
FAST: Recognising Strokes
A stroke is when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, killing brain cells from lack of oxygen. The FAST acronym is used in first aid as a reminder of the signs and symptoms of a stroke.
F stands for Face. One side of the face might droop or appear uneven.
A stands for Arms. The person might feel numbness, tingling, or difficulty with coordination in one or both arms, and may struggle to lift them.
S stands for Speech. A stroke can cause slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or the complete inability to speak. The person might also struggle to understand what is being said to them.
T stands for Time. If the person shows any of these signs, then its Time to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
CPR and First Aid Training Saves Lives
The world of first aid continues to evolve as research reveals better ways to treat injuries and illnesses, and new first aid terms appear all the time. The best way to stay up to date with common first aid concepts, first aid terminology, and medical terms is to enrol in a first aid course.
By enrolling in this training you can learn first aid to help victims of life-threatening injuries or illnesses in medical emergency situations. Learning basic first aid goes beyond understanding the terms and acronyms used to actually help you build the muscle memory you’ll need to provide first aid treatment under the pressure of a real life emergency. Don’t wait, enrol in a first aid training course today, learning first aid could help you save a life.
FAQs
What Items Should Be in a First Aid Kit?
A well-equipped first aid kit should contain adhesive bandages in various sizes, sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, elastic bandages for sprains, antiseptic wipes, disposable gloves, scissors, tweezers, pain relief medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen, and any personal medications specific to your family’s needs.
What is the First Aid for Burns?
Remove any jewellery or loose clothing from around the burn then cool the area under running water for 20 minutes. Then cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction?
Mild allergic reactions typically cause skin rash, hives, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, and mild swelling around the face or lips. Severe allergic reactions called anaphylaxis develop rapidly and cause difficulty breathing, throat swelling, rapid weak pulse, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
