Hey Brisbane! One of the most important aspects of first aid certification is making the right decisions. If someone is injured should you call an ambulance right away, or can you handle it yourself? What if there are multiple people injured—who do you help first? These are tough calls to make, but with the right help, you can handle them with confidence. Assessment principles in first aid are the easy to follow guidelines that help you evaluate and respond to emergency situations effectively. By following these principles, you can make informed decisions that could potentially save lives.
Primary Principle: DRSABCD Action Plan
First things first, let’s talk about the DRSABCD Action Plan. This is the backbone of effective first aid response, often referred to as the primary assessment:
- D: Danger – Ensure the area is safe for yourself, others, and the casualty.
- R: Response – Check for a response by asking if they can hear you. See if they open your eyes when you ask them to. Ask them their name and squeeze their hand if needed to get a response.
- S: Send for help – Call emergency services or direct someone else to do so.
- A: Airway – Ensure the casualty’s airway is clear and open.
- B: Breathing – Check if the casualty is breathing normally.
- C: CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) – If the casualty is not breathing normally, start CPR.
- D: Defibrillation – Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available and follow its prompts.
Secondary Assessment: The next principle
Once you’ve handled the immediate situation with the DRSABCD action plan, it’s time to conduct a secondary assessment. This is where you get into the nitty-gritty details to fully understand the casualty’s condition and ensure you haven’t missed anything important.
How to Perform a Secondary Assessment
- Head-to-Toe Examination: Start at the head and work your way down to the toes. Look for any signs of injury, swelling, bruising, or deformities. Gently feel around for any abnormalities or pain points.
- Vital Signs: Check and monitor the casualty’s vital signs. This includes their pulse, respiration rate, and level of consciousness. Consistently reassess these to track any changes in their condition.
- Gather History: If the casualty is conscious, ask about their medical history, current medications, allergies, and what happened leading up to the incident. This information can be crucial for emergency responders.
- Monitor and Reassess: Keep a close eye on the casualty’s condition. Reassess their vital signs and overall status regularly to ensure any changes are promptly addressed.
Triage: Prioritizing Care
Triage is like being the conductor of an orchestra during an emergency—you need to know who needs help first to save the most lives. Here’s a quick guide on how to triage effectively:
- Prioritization: Treat based on severity and survival likelihood. For example, someone who is unconscious but breathing gets priority over someone with a minor cut.
- Immediate Care: Focus on those with life-threatening conditions first. Here are a few scenarios to illustrate this:
Triage Scenarios
- Scenario 1: You come across an accident scene with multiple casualties. One person is unconscious and not breathing, another has a broken arm, and a third is walking around with a minor cut. Your priority is to start CPR on the unconscious person, call for help, and then move to the others.
- Scenario 2: In a busy café, a customer is choking and another has a sprained ankle. The choking person is the priority—you need to perform back blows right away.
- Scenario 3 is a little bit different: Imagine there is a car crash. One person is bleeding severely, the other is unconscious, not breathing and needs CPR. Although the person who needs CPR is in worse condition than the person who is bleeding severely, it’s best to help the person who is bleeding severely first because the odds are that if you act immediately you have a better chance of saving them then the person who needs CPR. And if you don’t act to stop the bleeding, chances are that person will need CPR soon.
Why Get Certified with My First Aid Course Brisbane?
At My First Aid Course Brisbane, we don’t just teach first aid—we make it an engaging, practical, and even fun experience. Here’s why we’re Brisbane’s best-reviewed first aid provider:
- Comprehensive Training: Our courses cover all the essential principles and practical skills you need.
- Expert Instructors: Learn from the best in the field who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
- Convenient Locations: We have multiple awesome locations across Brisbane, so there’s always a course near you. Whether you’re in the heart of the city or out in the suburbs, you can easily find a spot that works for you.
- Flexible Scheduling: We offer courses at various times to fit your busy schedule. Whether you’re a morning person or need an evening class, we’ve got you covered.
- Top Reviews: Don’t just take our word for it—our students love us! We consistently receive glowing reviews for our engaging and informative courses.
Browse Our Locations and Join Us!
Ready to get certified? Browse our awesome locations and find a course that fits your schedule. Our friendly team is here to help you every step of the way. Join us at My First Aid Course Brisbane and become a confident, capable first aid responder. Your family, friends, and community will thank you!
Getting certified in first aid is not just about ticking a box—it’s about gaining the skills and confidence to make a real difference. So why wait? Sign up today and learn why My First Aid Course Brisbane is the best choice for your first aid training needs.
We hope to see you soon in one of our classes! Stay safe, Brisbane!
