Foundations of First Aid & Scene Safety

Understanding first aid principles and ensuring the safety of the responder and casualty.

• What First Aid is and the goals of first aid

• Understanding the Golden Hour and risk of deterioration

• Triage categories: Red, Yellow, Green, Black

• SCAB: Safety, Circulation, Airway, Breathing

• The 4 Safety S’s: Scene, Self, Casualty, Equipment

• Essential safety rules (do not move casualty unnecessarily, do not give food/drink, etc.)

• Scene Survey: hazards, mechanism of injury, number of casualties

• HELLO: Identify yourself, obtain consent, legal considerations

• SAMPLE and AVPU for gathering information and assessing responsiveness

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Primary Survey (CAB) – Identifying Life-Threatening Emergencies

A rapid, structured assessment used to detect and manage critical conditions.

• Circulation: Pulse check (carotid, radial, brachial), recognising cardiac arrest

• Pulse characteristics: rate, rhythm, strength

• Airway: Head-tilt-chin-lift, jaw-thrust for spinal concerns, removing obstructions

• Breathing: Look–Listen–Feel method, detecting absent or abnormal breathing

• Decision-making: When to begin CPR or rescue breaths immediately

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Introduction to CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

Understanding the purpose and science behind CPR.

• What CPR is and why it is performed

• Restoring circulation and oxygenation manually

• Adult, child, and infant age definitions

• Compression-to-breath ratios (30:2)

• Compression depth (one-third of chest), rate (100–120 per minute)

• Importance of minimal interruptions and proper hand placement

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General CPR Procedures (Adult, Child, Infant)

Step-by-step CPR guidance based on the CPR manual sequence.

• Hazard → Hello → Help → Circulation → Airway → Breathing

• When and how to call emergency services

• Performing 30 chest compressions correctly

• Proper hand/finger placement for each age group

• Delivering effective rescue breaths, signs of a good seal, chest rise

• Cycles of CPR (5 cycles = ±2 minutes)

• When to re-check pulse and breathing

• Artificial ventilation when pulse is present but breathing is absent

• Adaptations for children (1–12 years): one-handed compressions as needed

• Adaptations for infants: two-finger compressions, small “puff” breaths

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Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use

Early defibrillation and electrical therapy in cardiac arrest.

• What an AED is and how it works

• When to use an AED

• Step-by-step AED operation:

  • Turn on → Expose chest → Apply pads correctly

  • Allow analysis → Clear the patient → Deliver shock

  • Resume CPR immediately after shock

• AED prompts and reassessment every 2 minutes

• Safety considerations: water, metal, pacemakers, medication patches

• Using paediatric pads or “child mode” when appropriate

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Choking Management (Adult, Child, Infant)

Recognising and clearing airway obstructions.

• Signs and symptoms of choking for adults, children, and infants

• Partial vs complete airway obstruction

• Adult/child conscious casualty:

  • Encourage coughing

  • Five back blows

  • Five abdominal thrusts (or chest thrusts for pregnancy/obesity)

• Infant conscious casualty:

  • Five back blows

  • Five chest thrusts

• Unconscious casualty choking:

  • Call for help

  • Open airway, remove visible obstruction

  • Begin abdominal thrusts (as guided in manual)

  • Begin CPR with airway checks between cycles

• Self-treatment techniques for choking

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Ongoing Casualty Care and Monitoring

Maintaining stability until EMS arrives.

• Monitoring vital signs every 10 minutes

• Keeping airway open and casualty warm

• Managing shock: positioning, calming, preventing heat loss

• Recording events and interventions

• Effective communication with emergency medical personnel during handover

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The Recovery Position

Maintaining a safe airway in an unconscious but breathing casualty.

• When to use the recovery position

• Step-by-step procedure: arm placement, knee positioning, controlled roll

• Ensuring airway remains open

• Benefits of the recovery position: airway protection, drainage, monitoring access

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By the End of This Programme, Learners Will Be Able To:

• Assess an emergency scene safely and quickly using SCAB and Scene Survey principles

• Recognise cardiac arrest, perform pulse checks, and identify when to begin CPR

• Deliver high-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths for adults, children, and infants

• Use an AED confidently and safely in conjunction with CPR

• Clear airway obstructions using age-appropriate choking techniques

• Place an unconscious casualty in the recovery position and maintain ongoing care

• Communicate effectively with emergency services and provide accurate handover information

• Respond decisively, confidently, and safely during life-threatening breathing and cardiac emergencies