ABCs
If you come across an unconscious or semi-conscious victim:
-
Assess the environment - is it safe to proceed?
-
Fire, Wire, Glass, Grass, Gas and bodily fluids
-
Assess the victim's responsiveness. If unresponsive or incoherent, call emergency services immediately.
-
A for Airway - does the victim have an unobstructed airway?
-
If the victim is conscious, ask him or her to speak – “Can you tell me your name?”
-
If the victim is unresponsive, open the victim's airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift method.
-
B for Breathing - is the person breathing?
-
Put your ear close to the victim's mouth and listen for breathing. Look at the chest or abdomen if it rises with each breath. Check for 10 seconds.
-
If the victim is breathing normally, place him or her in the recovery position, a 10-second check should be repeated every 2 minutes.
-
With irregular breathing, it is recommended that a 10-second check to be performed every minute as the victim’s condition could change and CPR might be required.
-
If you do not see, hear, or feel normal breathing – attempt to push TWO full breaths (look for a rising chest) in the person by using a pocket mask follow by CPR. (Pocket masks should be used for protection from bodily fluids)
-
C for Circulations or Compressions
-
Landmarking – from the top of the armpits, find the middle point on the chest, and place the heel of your hand in the middle of the victim's chest. Put your other hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced.
-
Compression depth - Compress the chest about 1-1/2 to 2 inches (4-5 cm). Allow the chest to completely recoil before the next compression.
-
Compress the chest at a rate equal to 100/minute. Perform 30 compressions at roughly 2 compressions per second.
-
Open the airway with head-tilt and perform (PUSH) 2 rescue breaths.
-
Continue to perform 30 compressions with 2 breaths.
-
Keep going until help arrives.