DRSABCD
If an accident has occurred and you are placed in a position where you need to help someone, there are 7 easy, yet crucial steps that could help you save a life; DRSABCD. It is better to perform less steps, as the further you go down, the more serious the injury.
Danger
First, you must check that there is no immediate danger to most importantly yourself, then others around you, and lastly the victim. Some examples of surrounding danger could be objects, traffic or even another person.
Response
The second step is to get the victim to respond to you in order to tell if they are conscious or unconscious. To get a response from the victim, gently tap their shoulder and ask what their name is. If the victim responds ask them what happened and if they are injured. After getting information from the victim keep them calm, by making them comfortable. Constantly monitor their response as they may zone out.
Send for help
If there is no response from the victim, dial 000 for an ambulance or ask another person to make the call. If you are familiar with first aid you can assist the victim while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Airway
The first step to assisting the victim is to make sure that their airway is open and clear. In order to open the airway, tilt the head of the victim and lift their chin.
Breathing
Look at their chest to see if it is moving and feel for breaths on your cheek, while listening for breaths. This will help tell you if they're breathing or not. If the victim appears to be breathing roll them into the recovery position and wait for the ambulance to arrive. If the victim is not breathing, check that there are no objects blocking their airway. If there is foreign material in their mouth move them into the recovery position, remembering to use the pistol grip and with your fingers scoop out the material. This position keeps the airway open and allows liquids to drain from the mouth, making it easier for the victim to breathe.
Recovery Position
1. Kneel next to the victim who is lying on their back.
2. Have one arm stretched out across the floor, and the other arm folded to touch their opposite shoulder.
3. Support the head of the victim and lift the knee that is closest to you.
4. Roll the victim gently away from you. The knee of the victim should be rolled towards the same side where the victim’s arm is stretched out across the floor. The knee should end up resting on the floor, bent at a 90 degree angle, while the other leg is straight.
These steps of the recovery position need to be carried out carefully and slowly incase the victim has been injured. By moving them in the recovery position quickly it could worsen the injury.
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
If the victim is still not breathing start performing CPR immediately. Firstly, assuming this victim is an adult, place your hands locked in with each other over the lower half of the patient’s chest. Push down on the about 1/3 of the patients chest. Apply 30 compressions to 2 breaths at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. When you give victim breaths, gently tilt their head back and pinch their nose. When dealing with a child from 1 to 8 years old, do the same, only using one hand. When performing CPR on a baby, use two fingers to push and instead of using deep breaths, use puffs or very small breaths. The aim is to achieve a normal rise and fall of the patient’s chest. Once you have started performing CPR you can only stop when someone who is better at it then you arrives or professional help is available. If you are with another person, take turns performing CPR.
Defibrillation
The last step to DRSABCD is to apply defibrillation. Only do so when prompted by a professional or if you have sufficient knowledge or training. If you are in a situation where you need to use defibrillation, turn the device on and follow the verbal instructions from the machine.
Danger
First, you must check that there is no immediate danger to most importantly yourself, then others around you, and lastly the victim. Some examples of surrounding danger could be objects, traffic or even another person.
Response
The second step is to get the victim to respond to you in order to tell if they are conscious or unconscious. To get a response from the victim, gently tap their shoulder and ask what their name is. If the victim responds ask them what happened and if they are injured. After getting information from the victim keep them calm, by making them comfortable. Constantly monitor their response as they may zone out.
Send for help
If there is no response from the victim, dial 000 for an ambulance or ask another person to make the call. If you are familiar with first aid you can assist the victim while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Airway
The first step to assisting the victim is to make sure that their airway is open and clear. In order to open the airway, tilt the head of the victim and lift their chin.
Breathing
Look at their chest to see if it is moving and feel for breaths on your cheek, while listening for breaths. This will help tell you if they're breathing or not. If the victim appears to be breathing roll them into the recovery position and wait for the ambulance to arrive. If the victim is not breathing, check that there are no objects blocking their airway. If there is foreign material in their mouth move them into the recovery position, remembering to use the pistol grip and with your fingers scoop out the material. This position keeps the airway open and allows liquids to drain from the mouth, making it easier for the victim to breathe.
Recovery Position
1. Kneel next to the victim who is lying on their back.
2. Have one arm stretched out across the floor, and the other arm folded to touch their opposite shoulder.
3. Support the head of the victim and lift the knee that is closest to you.
4. Roll the victim gently away from you. The knee of the victim should be rolled towards the same side where the victim’s arm is stretched out across the floor. The knee should end up resting on the floor, bent at a 90 degree angle, while the other leg is straight.
These steps of the recovery position need to be carried out carefully and slowly incase the victim has been injured. By moving them in the recovery position quickly it could worsen the injury.
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
If the victim is still not breathing start performing CPR immediately. Firstly, assuming this victim is an adult, place your hands locked in with each other over the lower half of the patient’s chest. Push down on the about 1/3 of the patients chest. Apply 30 compressions to 2 breaths at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. When you give victim breaths, gently tilt their head back and pinch their nose. When dealing with a child from 1 to 8 years old, do the same, only using one hand. When performing CPR on a baby, use two fingers to push and instead of using deep breaths, use puffs or very small breaths. The aim is to achieve a normal rise and fall of the patient’s chest. Once you have started performing CPR you can only stop when someone who is better at it then you arrives or professional help is available. If you are with another person, take turns performing CPR.
Defibrillation
The last step to DRSABCD is to apply defibrillation. Only do so when prompted by a professional or if you have sufficient knowledge or training. If you are in a situation where you need to use defibrillation, turn the device on and follow the verbal instructions from the machine.
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