How To Perform the Primary Survey Using the DRABC Steps
When someone is unconscious, their life is in danger. Their airway might be blocked, they may not be breathing, and their blood circulation could have stopped. It is important to follow the primary survey steps to assess casualties in the order of DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Remember to take quick action because brain damage or even death can happen quickly. A secondary survey is performed after completing the primary steps of first aid.Primary Survey in First Aid Using DRABCWhen helping someone in an emergency, you always start with the primary survey. This means you quickly assess what is happening and the person's needs.The primary survey uses the letters DRABC to help you remember the steps: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation.D - Danger: First, you check for danger around you, such as oncoming traffic or a falling object.R - Response: Next, see if the person responds. Gently shake their shoulders when you talk to them. Are they awake or unconscious?A - Airway: Then, make sure their airway is clear. That means checking if anything is blocking their breathing passage.B - Breathing: After that, check if they're breathing normally. Look, listen, and feel for any signs of breathing.C - Circulation: Finally, check for signs of circulation, like a pulse. This tells you if their heart is beating.Knowing what to do next could help save someone's life, so it's important to follow these steps in the correct order. .main{ border:3px solid #0f7c90; border-radius:20px; position: relative; font-family:roboto; font-weight: 400; color: #000; } .main-two{ position: absolute; top:-25px; left:45px; background-color:white; } .img-div{ border-radius : 100%; padding:2px 7px; background-color:#0f7c90; margin-right:5px; width: 50px; height: 50px; } .img{ width:30px; object-fit:contain; height:auto; border-radius : 100%; } @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { .heading{ font-size:20px; } .img{ width:20px; object-fit:contain; height:auto; border-radius : 100%; } .img-div{ width: 40px; height: 40px; } .main-two{ left:25px; } } Ready to Learn More? Put your knowledge of the primary survey into practice by enrolling in a course today! Our First Aid courses offer complete training to help you handle critical situations. Whether you want to improve your skills or workplace safety, these courses help build confidence and expertise. View our Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and Level 3 First Aid at Work courses. These courses meet the UK legal requirements and help you keep people safe. DRABC StepsDANGER - 1st Step of the Primary Survey DRABCThe first thing to do in an emergency is to check for dangers. Look around to see if anything could harm you, the person needing help, or anyone nearby. This helps you decide if it's safe to go close to someone who needs help.WHAT TO DOIf you see any hazards, like live electricity, try to make the area safe first. For example, if there's electricity, turn it off. Otherwise, use an insulating object, such as wood or plastic, to move the person away. When there is a risk of electricity, do not touch them directly.When you are sure it is safe, you can approach the person who needs assistance. But if it's still not secure, don't go near them. Instead, get emergency medical helpRESPONSE - 2nd Step of the Primary Survey DRABCA person can lose consciousness when something disrupts the brain's normal functioning. Here are some signs that someone might be unconscious:They can't respond to simple questions or touch.They might not realise when they're in danger and can't protect themselves.They can't clear their airways by coughing or swallowing. This means saliva, blood, vomit, or objects could block their breathing tubes. The tongue, which becomes floppy, might also fall back and block the throat.WHAT TO DOFirst, try to determine whether the person is unconscious by asking simple questions or telling them to do something simple, such as "What's your name?" or "Open your eyes," and gently shake them. If they don't respond, they're probably unconscious. Don't shake them vigorously, especially if they're children or babies.Place the individual in the side position, and examine his airway, breathing and pulse.If the unconscious person is breathing and has a pulse, keep them in the side position. Ensure their airway remains open and clear, and monitor their breathing and pulse regularly until medical assistance arrives.�How to Keep the Unconscious Person in a Side PositionThis is also called the lateral, recovery, or stable side position.Kneel beside the person.Straighten their far arm out, perpendicular to their body. Bend their near arm at the elbow and place it across their chest, with the fingers near the far shoulder.Bend their near leg up to the right angle of their body.Hold the shoulder and hip closest to you, gently rolling them onto their side. Their top leg should rest on the ground with the thigh at a right angle and the calf parallel to the straight leg.Rest their uppermost, bent arm on the elbow of the straight arm.the person is a child older than 1 year, gently tilt their head back. Their face should be slightly downwards so any fluid can drain from their mouth, and their tongue can fall forward, away from the airway.Pro Tip:When someone is unconscious, act fast. Use DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Brain damage or death can happen quickly if you delay.AIRWAY - 3rd Step of the Primary Survey DRABCNow, ensure the person's airway is clear. If they're unconscious:Gently tilt their head back and lift their chin with your hand on their forehead.Peep in their mouth to check whether something is obstructing their passageway.What to Do: If the person is responsiveCheck whether anything is obstructing their airway and causing difficulty breathing.If you see something, encourage them to clear it by coughing or using their hands.For adults and kids, you can help them by giving back slaps or abdominal thrusts. For babies under a year old, you can help them with back blows or chest thrusts.Once the blockage is cleared, move on to the next step.What To Do: If the person is responsiveCheck whether anything is obstructing their airway and causing difficulty breathing.If you see something, encourage them to clear it by coughing or using their hands.For adults and kids, you can help them by giving back slaps or abdominal thrusts. For babies under a year old, you can help them with back blows or chest thrusts.Once the blockage is cleared, move on to the next step.What To Do: If the person is unresponsiveIf you see something, try to remove it carefully. But don't put your fingers in their mouth if you can't see anything, as you might push a blockage deeper.BREATHING - 4th Step of the Primary Survey DRABCBreathing should be regular, quiet, and easy. Tilt the head back, watch the chest for movement, and listen for breathing sounds. Do this for about ten seconds to see if air comes from the mouth or nose.WHAT TO DOIf they're unresponsive and not breathing normally, call emergency services immediately. If you know CPR, start with rescue breaths. If not, do chest compressions. If there's an AED nearby, ask someone to bring it.Giving Rescue BreathsMouth-to-mouth resuscitation is the best way to give rescue breaths. Mouth-to-nose resuscitation is used for a jaw injury or if the person needs to be revived in water. Mouth-to-mask resuscitation is done by trained people to avoid direct contact, especially if the person might have a disease like hepatitis or HIV.Typically, 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths are performed in case of abnormal breathing.Mouth-Mouth ResuscitationKneel beside the person.Lay them on their back.Gently tilt their head back and support their jaw with your fingers. Don't press on their throat. Their mouth should be slightly open.Pinch their nose closed. Take a deep breath and cover their mouth with yours, sealing gaps.Keep their head tilted and give 2 breaths, enough to make their chest rise slightly.Start compressions as recommended.When they start breathing again, please put them in the side position and check their airway, breathing, and pulse regularly.Follow similar steps for mouth-to-nose and mouth-to-mask resuscitation but adjust for the different techniques.CIRCULATION - 5th Step of the Primary Survey DRABCIn this step, check the person for any significant bleeding.What To DoIf they're bleeding heavily, try to stop it by pressing directly on the wound with a clean cloth or dressing. Then, call emergency services for help.Stay with them until help arrives. Try to keep them calm and reassure them that help is coming. If they're not bleeding but still unresponsive, put them in the recovery position. This helps keep their airway clear if they vomit.Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)If someone's heart has stopped, CPR is vital to keep them alive until help arrives. CPR is exhausting, so it's best if two people can take turns to keep the rhythm right. Remember, even if you're not trained, attempting CPR is better than doing nothing.What To Remember During an EmergencyPlease don't go near the person unless it's safe. Check for danger to yourself, others, and the injured person first.Stay as calm as possible, even though you might feel upset, and try to reassure the injured person.Time is significant.Don't move the person unless you have to for safety reasons.Please don't leave them alone. Get someone to call for medical help straight away. But if you're alone and help won't come soon, you'll need to go for help yourself. Call 999 or the emergency number in your area.Keep messages to the emergency services short: say where you are, what's happened, how many people are involved, and how badly they're hurt.Please don't give them anything to eat or drink.First-Aid TrainingThe Emergency First Aid training course is designed for low-risk environments such as offices and small retail stores. It gives participants the fundamental knowledge and skills to effectively manage emergencies in these settings. .banner { border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; border: 2px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: #fdf9ee; } .book-now { color: white; background-color: #DF3D52; border: none; padding: 15px 60px; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none; } .book-now:hover { /*text-decoration: none;*/ color: white; background-color: #c33f50; } Get Trained in All First-Aid Skills First Aid Courses Book Now Rated Excellent on major review sites FAQsWhat does DRABC stand for in first aid?DRABC in the first-aid primary survey stands for Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation.Should you carry out a primary survey on every casualty?Use a primary survey and apply the DRABC steps whenever you witness a casualty, such as an accident or a fall, provided it is safe to approach the injured person.What is the purpose of the primary survey?The purpose of the primary survey is to treat life-threatening casualties quickly. These accidents could include airway blockage, breathing difficulties, shock or a brain injury.How can you assess the responsiveness of a casualty?First, check if the person is unconscious by asking simple questions and gently shaking them. If they don't respond, they're likely unconscious. Avoid shaking them vigorously, especially if they're children or babies. Next, put the person in the side position and check their airway, breathing, and pulse.How many compressions must be performed in case of abnormal breathing?Typically, 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths are performed in case of abnormal breathing.
How To Administer CPR
Medical emergencies that require CPR can occur unexpectedly in any location. According to the Resuscitation Council UK, most cardiac arrests (72%) occur in the home or workplace (15%). Everyone needs basic CPR knowledge, as this skill could save someone's life.What is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a critical procedure in first aid. It involves artificial respiration, which supplies oxygen to the lungs, and artificial circulation, which maintains blood flow throughout the body.CPR's primary objective is to provide an appropriate supply of oxygenated blood to reach the brain and other organs.This prevents tissue damage until the heart can resume normal function or professional medical assistance arrives. It is important to note that CPR is most effective when chest compressions are performed continuously.Why Perform CPR: Understanding Cardiac ArrestWhen someone experiences cardiac arrest, their heart stops beating properly, blocking blood flow to the brain. The person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing.Although a cardiac arrest marks a state of clinical death, applying CPR on time and a defibrillator presents a chance to restore a regular heartbeat.Common causes of cardiac arrest include:heart attackssevere injurieselectrical shockdrug overdosedrowningsuffocationWhen administering CPR, you are responsible for the casualty's cardiovascular and respiratory function. This procedure slows down the progression of their life-threatening condition till professional medical help arrives to take control of the situation.When to Use CPRCPR is needed when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. It is also required when a person is not breathing at all. For instance, if someone is rescued from drowning, they may need CPR to help them start breathing again. Similarly, if someone is severely choking, bleeding heavily, or in shock, CPR may be necessary.If you encounter an unresponsive person who has collapsed, you should perform a primary survey using the DRABC steps. This involves checking if the person is breathing by placing your cheek near their mouth.Observe their chest for any movement for about 10 seconds. If the person is unconscious but breathing normally, you should put them in the recovery position. However, if they are unconscious and not breathing properly, you should be prepared to administer CPR. .main{ border:3px solid #0f7c90; border-radius:20px; position: relative; font-family:roboto; font-weight: 400; color: #000; } .main-two{ position: absolute; top:-25px; left:45px; background-color:white; } .img-div{ border-radius : 100%; padding:2px 7px; background-color:#0f7c90; margin-right:5px; width: 50px; height: 50px; } .img{ width:30px; object-fit:contain; height:auto; border-radius : 100%; } @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { .heading{ font-size:20px; } .img{ width:20px; object-fit:contain; height:auto; border-radius : 100%; } .img-div{ width: 40px; height: 40px; } .main-two{ left:25px; } } Ready to Learn More? Knowing CPR is important in emergencies, but there's more to first aid. Our First Aid courses offer complete training to help you handle critical situations. Whether you want to improve your skills or workplace safety, these courses help build confidence and expertise. View our Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and Level 3 First Aid at Work courses. These courses meet the UK legal requirements and help you keep people safe. How to Administer CPR on an AdultFirst, assess the safety of the scene. Then, check the person's responsiveness by tapping and asking if they are okay. Conduct a primary survey by gently tilting the head back to make sure the airway is clear.Check for breathing for 5 to 10 seconds by looking, listening, and feeling for breaths.How To Do a CPR Compression on an AdultIf the person is not breathing or their breaths are weak (known as agonal breaths), place your hands in the middle of their chest with your shoulders directly above your hands. Keep your elbows straight.Agonal Breathing:Agonal breathing occurs when someone's breathing is irregular and gasping, often making odd sounds. It can sometimes occur during a cardiac arrest. Bystanders may think the person is breathing normally. Treating someone with agonal breathing as if they are not breathing at all is essential.Give 30 chest compressions - press down firmly and quickly!Use the heels of your hands to push straight down on the breastbone, about 5-6 cm (2-2.4 inches) deep.Release pressure entirely after each compression to let the chest come back up. Keep a steady rhythm, aiming for 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Count out loud to keep track.How To Breathe into an Adult�s Mouth During CPRNext, if you are trained, tilt the person's head back and lift their chin to open the airway. Pinch the soft part of their nose closed. If you have a barrier device, use it. Then, give two breaths into the person's mouth, each lasting about one second, enough to raise the chest.This makes one cycle of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.�Keep doing CPR until an AED arrives, the person starts responding, or you are too tired to continue. When the defibrillator arrives, apply it to the person immediately.How to Administer CPR on a ChildLook around the area where the casualty has occurred.Check to see if the child responds. If not, get medical help and an AED if possible.If you are alone and do not have a phone, do CPR for 5 cycles (around 2 minutes), then go for help. If you can, bring the child with you.Next, check the airway and breathing for between 5 and 10 seconds. .banner { border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; border: 2px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: #fdf9ee; } .book-now { color: white; background-color: #DF3D52; border: none; padding: 15px 60px; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none; } .book-now:hover { /*text-decoration: none;*/ color: white; background-color: #c33f50; } Get Trained in All First-Aid Skills First Aid Courses Book Now Rated Excellent on major review sites How To Do a CPR Compression on a ChildIf the child is not breathing or breathing well, place your hands in the middle of their chest and press down firmly. Keep your elbows straight. Depending on the child's size, you can use one or two hands.Give 30 chest compressions: Push firmly and quickly!Use the heels of your hands to press straight down on the breastbone. Each compression should be about a third of the chest depth or 5 cm (2 inches) deep.�After each compression, release pressure completely to let the chest back up. Keep a steady rhythm, aiming for 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Count out loud to keep track.How To Breathe into a Child�s Mouth During CPROnce you have performed compressions, open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Use a barrier device if you have one. Then, give two breaths into the child�s mouth, just enough air to raise their chest.This makes one cycle of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.Keep doing CPR until an AED arrives, the person starts responding, or someone else takes over. If you get too tired, stop. Apply the AED as soon as it comes.How To Administer CPR for Babies - Infant Casualty Perform a scene survey of where the casualty occurred. Check if the baby responds. Gently tap their feet. If there is no response, get medical help and an AED if possible. If you are alone and do not have a phone, do CPR for 1 minute, then get help. If you can, carry the baby with you. Next, open their airway by touching their forehead and gently tilting their head back. Use the fingertips of your other hand to lift their chin. Put your lips around the infant�s mouth and nose and blow gently for one second until their chest rises. Remove your mouth and wait for your chest to fall back to normal. Repeat this for a total of five rescue breaths.How To Do a CPR Compression on an InfantPlace two fingers just below the nipple line on the baby's chest.Press down on the breastbone about 4 cm (1 1/2 inches), around one-third of the chest depth.Do 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths (30:2)Keep doing CPR until an AED is used, someone else takes over, or you are too tired. Use the AED as soon as it arrives.How To Breathe into an Infant�s Mouth During CPRBabies have big heads compared to their bodies, which can cause their airways to close. When babies lie on their backs, their heads tilt forward, closing their airway further.When performing CPR, you might find putting a thin pad under the patient's shoulders useful to help keep the airway open. But do not spend time looking for one.Types of CPRDepending on the circumstances and the number of people involved, CPR can be of different types:Chest compression-only CPRDispatcher-assisted CPRHow to take over CPR from another rescuerTwo-rescuer CPRChest Compression-Only CPRCPR guidelines emphasise recognising emergencies early and the importance of calling 9-1-1 if you find someone collapsed and unresponsive.Compression-only CPR means doing chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth breaths. Give solid and quick compressions at the centre of the chest, aiming for 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Although this does not give the person oxygen, it is an option for people not trained in traditional CPR or those unsure of their ability.Dispatcher-assisted CPRIn some areas, when you call 9-1-1, the dispatcher can guide you through the emergency until medical help arrives. Put your phone on speaker and place it near the person's head. Keep talking to the dispatcher while you help the person.Hand-Over CPR: Taking Over CPR from Another RescuerOffer your assistance and let the rescuer know you are trained in CPR. Make sure medical help has been called.Do 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths. Use your barrier device if you have one.Two-Rescuer CPRIf two trained rescuers are available, they can work together to do CPR on someone who needs it. There are three good reasons why it is better for two people to do CPR:Doing CPR can be tiring. As the first aider gets tired, their chest compression quality might worsen. If two people share the job of compressing the chest, they can keep doing good compressions for longer.With two people doing CPR, they can take turns doing chest compressions and giving breaths. This means the compressions do not have to stop as often.When two people work together, they can encourage and help each other during a difficult situation. One person stays by the casualty's head to do CPR with two rescuers. He keeps the airway open and breathes after every 30 compressions. The other person does the chest compressions.To keep the compressions effective, they should switch roles every 5 cycles of compressions and breaths, about every 2 minutes.ConclusionIf someone is not responding and breathing normally, CPR can help them survive until paramedics arrive. So, everyone needs to know how to do CPR, even if you still need to be formally trained in first aid. If you are not qualified, you should do chest compressions only for adults. But for children and babies, it is best to call for help first and then do CPR. Either way, doing CPR increases the chances of the person surviving.