Basic First Aid - Primary Assessment

The basic first aid that is given to a casualty immediately after an accident can make the difference between a minor injury and a long stay in hospital or even death.

Try to remember the primary assessment abbreviated to : DRAB or Dr. Ab remembered as Doctor Ab .

 

First Aid Primary Assessment

D: Danger Check the area for danger and do not approach if it unsafe or there is a rick of further injury to yourself or the casualty.
R: Response Check the casualty for a response: gently shake the casualty and ask if they can hear you.
If they are responsive: get details of what happened and assess the casualty yourself.
If in any doubt about their condition you must get professional help for them.

If they are unresponsive: quickly shout for help and try to attract attention to someone to come over to you.
A: Airway Open the casualties airway by gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin.
B: Breathing Check for breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for 10 seconds (adults). If normal breathing is not detected summon professional help e.g. call for an ambulance. Leave the casualty if necessary to do this.
After you have got professional help coming to assist you should start CPR.
If normal breathing is detected you should conduct a secondary assessment. Then put the casualty in the recovery position and summon professional help. Monitor the casualty until help arrives.