First Aid Handbook
Second edition March 2015
ISBN 978-1-909749-71-9
Page number and previous content
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Doctors ABCD
Third edition January 2016
ISBN 978-1-910964-15-6
Page number and updated content
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Doctor ABCD
Adult basic life support
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First-aid equipment
The content will be dependent on the assessment of first-aid needs that
should be conducted. In December 2011 the British Standards Institute
launched the new workplace First Aid Kit (BS 8599).
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Adult basic life support and automated external defibrillation
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First-aid equipment
The content will be dependent on the assessment of first-aid needs that
should be conducted. In December 2011 the British Standards Institute
launched the new workplace First Aid Kits (BS 8599-1).
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Primary Survey
Having conducted a scene survey and established that the immediate area is
safe from any dangers, you can now approach the casualty. When
approaching the casualty an initial casualty assessment should be conducted;
this initial casualty assessment is called a primary survey. The primary survey
is a systematic process of approaching, identifying and dealing with
immediate and or life-threatening conditions.
The primary survey can be remembered by the acronym DRSABCD (or the
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Primary Survey
Having conducted a scene survey and established that the immediate area is
safe from any dangers, you can now approach the casualty. When
approaching the casualty an initial assessment should be conducted; this
initial assessment is called a primary survey. The primary survey is a
systematic process of approaching, identifying and dealing with immediate
and or life-threatening conditions.
The primary survey can be remembered by the acronym DRABCD (or the
easy way to remember, Doctors ABCD).
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easy way to remember, Doctor ABCD).
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Secondary Survey
Head-to-toe survey
If the casualty is breathing a secondary survey should be carried out. Inform
the casualty what you are doing at all stages. If the casualty is responsive ask
them to tell you if they feel any pain during the head-to-toe survey.
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Secondary Survey
Head-to-toe survey
If the casualty is breathing normally a secondary survey should be carried
out. Inform the casualty what you are doing at all stages. If the casualty is
responsive ask them to tell you if they feel any pain during the head-to-toe
survey.
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The recovery position requires the following box placed after bottom box
‘The casualty is now in the recovery position’:
+ Check breathing regularly, and be prepared to carry out CPR.
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KEY TASK: 1
Remove the key word ‘SHOUT’ and the corresponding description ‘The action
carried out if the casualty is not responsive.’
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KEY TASK: 1
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KEY TASK: 1
Key word - ‘CPR/CIRCULATION’
Key word - ‘Call 999/CIRCULATION’
Description - ‘If not breathing commence’
Description - ‘If not breathing’
The Principles of Resuscitation
Basic life support (BLS) comprises of the following elements:
•
•
•
•
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Initial assessment (primary survey)
Airway maintenance
Chest compressions
Rescue breathing (expired air ventilation)
Complete 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until:
1. qualified medical assistance takes over
2. the casualty shows signs of regaining consciousness such as
coughing, opening eyes, speaking or moving and starts to breathe
The Principles of Resuscitation
Basic life support (BLS) and automated external defibrillation (AED)
comprises of the following elements:
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Initial assessment
Airway maintenance and breathing
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External
Defibrillation (AED)
Complete 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until:
1. A health professional tells you to stop
2. You become exhausted
normally
3. you become physically exhausted and cannot continue
4. if there is assistance available when administering CPR you should
change over every 1-2 minutes
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3. The casualty is definitely waking up, moving, opening their eyes and
breathing normally
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Compression-only CPR
If you are not trained, the casualty has extensive facial injuries or you are
unwilling to give rescue breaths then chest compressions only may be
administered. If chest compressions only are given, these should be
continuous at a rate of 100 – 120 compressions per minute.
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Compression-only CPR
If you are untrained or unable to give rescue breaths then compression-only
CPR may be administered. If compressions-only CPR is given, then this should
be continuous at a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100 – 120 compressions
per minute
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Infant and child CPR
The age definition of an infant can best be defined as from birth to 1 year
old. The age definition of a child can best be defined as from 1 year old to
the onset of puberty.
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Infant and child CPR
The age definition of an infant can best be defined as from birth to less than
1 year of age. The age definition of a child can best be defined as from 1 year
old to the onset of puberty.
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A choking adult or child (airway obstruction)
Someone who is choking will have either a partial or complete obstruction of
the airway. The severity of the blockage will determine the difficulty in
breathing.
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A choking adult or child (airway obstruction)
Someone who is choking will have either a mild or severe airway obstruction.
The severity of the blockage will determine the difficulty in breathing.
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With a complete obstruction the casualty may show the above signs but also
the skin colour may develop a blue/grey tinge; the casualty will get
progressively weaker and eventually will become unconscious.
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With a severe airway obstruction the casualty may show the above signs but
also the skin colour may develop a blue/grey tinge; the casualty will get
progressively weaker and eventually will become unconscious.
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Back Blows
• Lean the casualty forward (supporting the upper chest with one
hand).
• Administer a maximum of 5 sharp back blows with the other hand.
• If, after 5 sharp back blows the obstruction still remains, then
administer abdominal thrusts.
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Back Blows
• Stand to the side and slightly behind the casualty
• Support the chest with one hand, lean the casualty forward and
administer a maximum of five sharp blows between the shoulder
blades with the heel of your other hand
• If the back blows are ineffective then give up to 5 abdominal thrusts
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ABDOMINAL THRUSTS
• Stand behind the casualty, lean them forward and place your hands
around their stomach.
• Make a clenched fist with one hand and place the thumb of the
clenched fist above the navel.
• Cup the clenched fist with the other hand and pull inwards and
upwards in one motion.
• Repeat this procedure up to a maximum of 5 times.
• If the obstruction still remains, complete the process of 5 back blows
and 5 abdominal thrusts up to a maximum of a further two cycles.
• If, after this process, the casualty is still choking, then contact the
emergency services (999/112).
• Continue the process.
• If the obstruction clears at any point, monitor and advise the
casualty to seek qualified medical assistance.
• If the casualty becomes unresponsive commence CPR.
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ABDOMINAL THRUSTS
• Stand behind the casualty and put both arms round the upper part of
the abdomen, lean the casualty forward
• With one hand clench your fist and place it between the naval and
the ribcage
• Grasp this hand with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and
upwards, repeat this process up to a maximum of 5 times
• Assess the casualty’s condition, if the obstruction is still not relieved
call for an ambulance (999/112) and continue with cycles of up to 5
back blows and up to 5 abdominal thrusts until qualified medical
assistance takes over
• If the casualty becomes unresponsive commence CPR
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Treatment of bleeding (General)
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6th point
Dress the wound with a sterile dressing and elevate the injured part if
possible.
Last point
Contact the emergency services (999/112) and monitor the casualty.
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6: Contact the emergency services, monitor the casualty and if
required treat for shock
6th point
Dress the wound with a sterile dressing
Last point
Call for an ambulance (999/112) and monitor the casualty
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REMEMBER If you have not contacted the Emergency Services then
they will not arrive!
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Treatment, last point
Treatment, 1st point
Contact the emergency services (999/112)
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Treatment, last point
If it is their first seizure contact the emergency services (999/112)
6: Call for an ambulance (999/112), monitor the casualty and if
required treat for shock
REMEMBER If you have not called for an ambulance then one will not
arrive!
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Contact the emergency services (999/112)
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Treatment of bleeding (General)
Treatment, last point
Call for an ambulance (999/112)
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Treatment, first point
Call for an ambulance (999/112)
Treatment, last point
If it is their first seizure call for an ambulance (999/112)
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Treatment, 3rd point
Remove clothing and then flush the area of the wound with tepid water for
the minimum of 10 – 20 minutes
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Treatment, 3rd point
Remove clothing and then flush the area of the wound with water for the
minimum of 10 minutes
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Treatment, 4th point
Contact the emergency services
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Treatment, 4th point
Call for an ambulance (999/112)
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Treatment, 1st point
Phone 999/112 immediately.
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Treatment, 1st point
Call for an ambulance (999/112).
REMEMBER! It is important to phone 999/112 immediately.
REMEMBER! It is important to call for an ambulance (999/112) immediately.
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Treatment, 1st point
Call 999/112 immediately
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Treatment, (Hypoglycaemia) 2nd point
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For suspected hypoglycaemia, give a sugary drink or sugary food (e.g. glucose
sweets)
Treatment, (Hypoglycaemia) 2nd point
For suspected hypoglycaemia, assist the casualty to take their glucose tablets
or give other dietary forms of sugar
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Treatment, (Hyperglycaemia) 3rd point
If they have not been previously diagnosed then call 999/112
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Treatment, (Hyperglycaemia) 3rd point
If they have not been previously diagnosed then call for an ambulance
(999/112)
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Amputations, Treatment, 1st point
Call 999/112 immediately
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Amputations, Treatment, 1st point
Call for an ambulance (999/112) immediately
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Treatment of conscious casualty, 1st point
Contact the emergency services
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Treatment of conscious casualty, 1st point
Call for an ambulance (999/112)
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Poisons, Treatment (General), 1st point
Dial 999/112
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Poisons, Treatment (General), 1st point
Call for an ambulance (999/112)
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Asthma, Treatment (General), 4th point
If the attack is prolonged contact the emergency services
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Asthma, Treatment (General), 4th point
If the attack is prolonged call for an ambulance (999/112)
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Treatment, 1st point
Call for an ambulance (999/112) immediately
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Helpful Hint, bottom of page
If it is the casualty’s first attack or they are hyperventilating then contact the
emergency services immediately and be prepared to carry out basic life
support
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Helpful Hint, bottom of page
If it is the casualty’s first attack or they are hyperventilating then call for an
ambulance (999/112) immediately and be prepared to carry out basic life
support.
Version 1 April 2016