Learning essential first aid techniques can mean the difference between life and death in emergency situations. When someone is injured or becomes seriously ill, the first minutes before professional help arrives are absolutely critical. Knowledge of basic first aid and the ability to perform first aid properly can save a life, reduce the risk of permanent disability, and help manage pain until emergency services arrive.
The skill that everyone should learn is the DRSABCD action plan – a systematic approach that guides you through seven essential first aid steps. These first aid techniques are easy to learn and form the foundation of proper first aid response. Whether someone is bleeding heavily, has stopped breathing, or needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation, following these first aid basics ensures you provide the most effective help possible.
Learning first aid isn’t just about helping strangers. You’re most likely to use these first aid skills on family members, friends, or colleagues. Getting first aid training means you’ll be prepared when a medical emergency strikes, and administering first aid correctly in those crucial first minutes can truly mean the difference between life and death.
DRSABCD: The 7 First Aid Steps for an Emergency
The DRSABCD protocol represents proven first aid techniques that have saved countless lives. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a comprehensive response system for medical emergencies.
1. D – Danger
Before providing first aid to any injured person, you must ensure the scene is safe for both you and the casualty. These fundamental first aid techniques begin with risk assessment – check for immediate hazards such as fire, electrical wires, traffic, unstable structures, or aggressive people. If the area isn’t safe, call triple zero immediately and wait for emergency services to arrive rather than becoming another casualty yourself.
Common dangers include electrical hazards where someone has been electrocuted, chemical spills, gas leaks, or ongoing violence. Never attempt to perform first aid in these situations until professionals have made the scene safe.
If you can safely remove the danger (such as turning off power at the main switch), do so. Otherwise, move the person away from danger only if it’s safe and won’t worsen their injuries. For suspected neck and spine injuries, avoid moving the person unless they’re in immediate life-threatening danger.
When assessing for danger, also consider ongoing risks. A person choking may continue to obstruct their airway, or someone having an allergic reaction may deteriorate rapidly. Your safety assessment should be quick but thorough, as these first aid steps include protecting yourself so you can continue administering first aid effectively.
2. R – Response
Checking responsiveness is one of the most critical first aid techniques for determining the appropriate level of care needed. Check if the injured person is conscious by tapping their shoulders firmly and shouting “Are you okay?” A conscious person will respond to your voice or touch, while an unconscious person will not react. If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position on their side to keep their airway clear.
For someone who appears to be having a stroke, use the FAST test: check if their Face is drooping, if they have Arm weakness, if their Speech is slurred, and note the Time symptoms started. These signs require immediate medical attention, so call triple zero without delay.
If the person is responsive but injured, keep them calm and still while you assess their condition. Ask them what happened and where they feel pain. A responsive injured or ill person can usually tell you valuable information about their condition and help guide your first aid response.
Head injuries require special attention even if the person seems alert initially. Someone with a head injury may become unconscious later, so monitor their breathing and consciousness level continuously while waiting for help to arrive.
3. S – Send for Help
Knowing when and how to call for emergency assistance represents essential first aid techniques that can dramatically affect outcomes. Call triple zero immediately for any serious injury, unconscious person, severe bleeding, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or suspected stroke. When calling emergency services, speak clearly and provide your exact location, what happened, how many people are injured, and the condition of each person.
If others are present, delegate someone specific to call for help while you continue providing first aid. Say “You in the blue shirt, call triple zero now” rather than asking “Can someone call an ambulance?” This ensures the call actually gets made and prevents everyone assuming someone else will do it.
Stay on the line with the emergency operator unless told to hang up. They can provide first aid guidance and will let you know when help is approaching. Keep your phone on speaker if possible so you can continue performing first aid while receiving instructions.
For less serious common injuries, you may still need medical help from a hospital emergency department or GP. When in doubt, it’s always better to seek medical attention rather than wait and see if the condition improves.
4. A – Airway
Airway management encompasses vital first aid techniques that ensure adequate breathing can occur. An open airway is essential for breathing. If a conscious person is choking, encourage them to cough forcefully to clear the obstruction. If they cannot cough, speak, or breathe, perform back blows and chest thrusts to dislodge the object blocking their airway.
For an unconscious person, tilt their head back by lifting their chin and tilting the head back gently. This moves the tongue away from the back of the throat and opens the airway. Check their mouth is clear of any visible obstructions, blood, or vomit, and remove anything you can see with your fingers.
If you suspect neck and spine injuries, use the jaw-thrust technique instead of tilting the head back. Place your hands on either side of their head and push the jaw forward without moving the neck. This maintains airway opening while protecting potential spinal injuries.
The recovery position is crucial for unconscious but breathing people. Place them on their side with their top leg bent, head tilted back, and chin lifted. This position keeps the airway clear and allows fluids to drain from the mouth rather than blocking breathing.
5. B – Breathing
Assessment and support of breathing represents fundamental first aid techniques that can prevent brain damage and death. Check for breathing by looking for chest movement, listening for breathing sounds, and feeling for breath on your cheek. Normal breathing is regular and effortless. Absent, very slow, or gasping breathing indicates the need for immediate CPR.
For someone having an asthma attack, help them use their reliever inhaler (usually blue or grey). If they don’t have their medication, call triple zero immediately. Sit them upright and encourage slow, deep breathing while waiting for medical help to arrive.
Agonal breathing appears as irregular gasps and is not effective breathing. This requires immediate chest compressions and rescue breathing. Don’t be confused by these gasping sounds – treat this as absent breathing and begin CPR.
If the person is breathing normally but unconscious, monitor their breathing continuously while waiting for help. Breathing can stop suddenly, especially with head injuries, drug overdoses, or severe illness. Be prepared to start CPR if their breathing stops or becomes inadequate.
6. C – CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation combines the most life-saving first aid techniques available to the general public, maintaining blood flow and oxygen delivery during cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation combines chest compressions with rescue breathing to maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery during cardiac arrest. Begin CPR if the person is unconscious and not breathing normally.
Place the heel of one hand on the centre of their chest between the nipples, then place your other hand on top, interlocking your fingers. Push hard and fast at least 5 centimetres deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Allow complete chest recoil between compressions.
Perform 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. Tilt their head back, lift their chin, pinch their nose closed, and breathe into their mouth until you see their chest rise. Continue cycles of 30 compressions to 2 breaths until emergency services arrive or the person starts breathing normally.
For children and infants, adjust your technique. Use one hand for small children and two fingers for infants, compressing about one-third of the chest depth. The compression to ventilation ratio remains 30:2 for single rescuers, but becomes 15:2 when two trained rescuers are present.
7. D – Defibrillation
Modern first aid techniques include the use of automated external defibrillators, which can restart a heart that has stopped beating effectively. An automated external defibrillator (AED) can restart a heart that has stopped beating effectively. AEDs are found in shopping centres, airports, schools, and many public buildings. These devices are designed for use by anyone and provide clear voice instructions.
Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts. Attach the electrode pads to the person’s bare chest as shown in the pictures on the pads. The AED will analyse the heart rhythm and determine if a shock is needed. If advised, ensure everyone is clear of the person before pressing the shock button.
Continue chest compressions between AED analyses and shocks. The combination of CPR and defibrillation provides the best chance of survival during cardiac arrest. Don’t be afraid to use an AED – it will only deliver a shock if the person’s heart rhythm requires it.
Many workplaces and community groups now have AEDs and provide basic training in their use. These devices are safe and effective, with built-in safety features that prevent inappropriate shocks. Using an AED as part of your first aid response can dramatically improve survival rates.
FAQs
What Items Should Be in A First Aid Kit?
A comprehensive first aid kit should contain essential supplies that support basic first aid techniques. Include various sized bandages, sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, disposable gloves, scissors, instant cold packs, pain relief medication, a thermometer, emergency contact numbers, and a first aid manual. Check expiry dates every six months and replace items as needed.
Can Anyone Get First Aid Training?
Yes, most people can learn basic first aid techniques through training courses. Our courses are widely available and teach essential life-saving skills that anyone can use in an emergency.
What Should I Do if Someone Chokes?
For choking, use these proven first aid techniques: encourage the person to cough if they can still breathe or speak. If they cannot cough, breathe, or speak, give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If unsuccessful, perform five chest thrusts by placing your hands on the lower chest and pushing inward and upward. Alternate between back blows and chest thrusts until the object dislodges or emergency services arrive.
