When you find yourself in an emergency situation, staying calm and acting quickly can make a huge difference. This is where first aid mnemonics come in handy—they help simplify what you need to do, so you can focus on saving lives. Whether it’s a serious accident or a minor injury, these memory tools are designed to guide you through each step with confidence.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common first aid mnemonics, focusing on the difference between those used during the primary survey and those applied in a secondary survey. We’ll also explain how our First Aid Courses can help you gain the skills you need to use these mnemonics in real-life scenarios.
Primary Survey: DRSABCD – Your First Priority
In any first aid situation, your initial steps are crucial. The primary survey is all about identifying and managing life-threatening conditions first. This is where the famous mnemonic DRSABCD comes in.
What Does DRSABCD Stand For?
- D – Danger: Always check for danger to yourself, bystanders, and the casualty. If it’s not safe, don’t proceed.
- R – Response: Check if the casualty is responsive. Use the “talk and touch” technique—ask them questions and gently shake their shoulders.
- S – Send for help: If the person is unresponsive or needs urgent care, call 000 (Australia’s emergency number).
- A – Airway: Make sure their airway is clear. If they’re unconscious, tilt their head back and open their mouth.
- B – Breathing: Check if the person is breathing normally for up to 10 seconds. If they’re not, prepare to start CPR.
- C – CPR: Start chest compressions and rescue breaths (30 compressions, followed by 2 breaths) if necessary.
- D – Defibrillation: If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, use it as soon as possible. If not, continue CPR until paramedics arrive.
DRSABCD is your go-to for immediate life-saving measures. It’s used to manage critical situations like cardiac arrest, drowning, and unconsciousness. Think of it as your step-by-step guide to ensuring the casualty is in a stable condition before you can move on to anything else.
Real-Life Scenario: Applying DRSABCD
Picture this: You’re at a barbecue, and suddenly, someone collapses. You notice they’re not responding and not breathing. Your brain instantly kicks into DRSABCD mode. You check the area for potential dangers (loose wires, spilled drinks, etc.), try talking to them, then shout for someone to call 000. You tilt their head back to open their airway and check for breathing. When there’s none, you start CPR. With no defibrillator available, CPR is ongoing until paramedics arrive. Simple, systematic, and effective—DRSABCD just helped save a life.
First Aid Mnemonics for Secondary Survey: AVPU, SAMPLE, and More
Once you’ve dealt with any immediate dangers using the primary survey, it’s time for the secondary survey. This step allows you to gather more information about the casualty’s condition, especially if they’re conscious or the situation has stabilised. Mnemonics like AVPU and SAMPLE are particularly useful.
AVPU: Assessing Consciousness
The AVPU scale helps you quickly assess a casualty’s level of consciousness, whether they’re responsive or not.
- A – Alert: Are they fully awake and aware of their surroundings?
- V – Verbal: Do they respond to verbal commands or questions?
- P – Pain: Do they only respond to pain (e.g., a pinch)?
- U – Unresponsive: Are they completely unresponsive?
In Australia, AVPU is widely used by first responders and advanced first aiders. It’s fast and helps you communicate effectively with medical professionals when they arrive.
SAMPLE: Gathering Key Information
Another key mnemonic for the secondary survey is SAMPLE, which helps you gather important background information about the casualty. If the casualty can’t respond, this information may be gathered from bystanders or loved ones.
- S – Signs and symptoms: What visible signs do they show, and how do they feel?
- A – Allergies: Are they allergic to anything?
- M – Medications: Are they on any regular medications?
- P – Past medical history: Do they have any relevant health conditions?
- L – Last oral intake: When did they last eat or drink, and what was it?
- E – Events leading up to the incident: What were they doing before the emergency happened?
SAMPLE gives you a detailed overview of the person’s medical background, which is incredibly helpful for paramedics once they take over. It also helps you understand what might have caused the emergency, enabling better first aid care.
Other Useful Mnemonics for Specific Situations
Apart from AVPU and SAMPLE, other mnemonics help in specific scenarios like managing soft tissue injuries or identifying a stroke.
RICER: Managing Soft Tissue Injuries
If someone’s twisted their ankle or has a minor injury, RICER can prevent further damage and reduce pain.
- R – Rest: Stop any activity that may worsen the injury.
- I – Ice: Apply ice to reduce swelling.
- C – Compression: Wrap the injured area to prevent further swelling.
- E – Elevation: Raise the injured part to reduce blood flow and swelling.
- R – Refer: Ensure the casualty is referred for medical assessment.
FAST: Spotting a Stroke
When a stroke is suspected, every second counts. The FAST mnemonic helps you remember the key signs:
- F – Face: Check for facial drooping. Can they poke out their tongue?
- A – Arms: Can the person raise both arms evenly?
- S – Speech: Is their speech slurred or strange?
- T – Time: Time to call emergency services immediately.
STOP: Handling Sports Injuries
For sports injuries, particularly on the field, STOP is a quick assessment method.
- S – Stop the game or activity.
- T – Talk to the injured person.
- O – Observe the injury.
- P – Prevent further injury by providing first aid or removing the person from the game.
Don’t Just Learn First Aid Mnemonics. Learn to Act
Reading about these mnemonics is a great first step, but hands-on training is key to building confidence in an emergency. That’s where My First Aid Course Brisbane comes in. Our courses provide you with the skills you need to not only remember these mnemonics but to apply them correctly under pressure.
We offer both basic and advanced first aid courses, taught by experienced professionals. You’ll learn how to assess casualties, perform CPR, and manage a wide range of injuries and medical conditions. Plus, our courses are nationally recognised, so your training will be valid anywhere in Australia.
Whether you’re refreshing your knowledge of first aid mnemonics or learning for the first time, we ensure the training is practical, engaging, and thorough. You’ll walk away feeling empowered, ready to take control of an emergency when it matters most.
Be the Hero in the Moment
First aid mnemonics like DRSABCD, AVPU, SAMPLE, and others simplify what can often feel overwhelming. They help you focus, stay calm, and act effectively in an emergency. By knowing which mnemonics to use during the primary survey (DRSABCD) versus the secondary survey (AVPU, SAMPLE), you’re equipped to handle a range of scenarios, from life-threatening emergencies to minor injuries.
Want to be fully prepared? Sign up for one of our first aid courses at My First Aid Course Brisbane. You’ll gain the knowledge, practice, and confidence to use these mnemonics in real life, knowing you’ve got the right steps memorised for every situation.
