Sometimes called the primary assessment, the DRSABC action plan is the starting point for all emergencies. So, what is DRSABC?
Danger - Ensure the safety of yourself, other bystanders and the injured person
Response - Check to see if the person is conscious and responsive
Send - Send for help - call 000 for emergency services
Airway - Open the airway
Breathing - Check for normal breathing
CPR - If the injured person is not breathing, start CPR
Defibrillation - Attach an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and follow the prompts.
These simple steps can help you save a life in an emergency. To understand more about each step, keep reading below.
DANGER
When checking for danger, we look for danger to ourselves, other bystanders, and the patient. Some examples of dangers include but are not limited to:
Electricity
Chemicals
Vehicles
Airbags
Fire
Water
Armed or violent persons
If it is safe to do so, we can move the danger or, if absolutely necessary, the injured person. If the danger cannot be removed or it's unsafe to move the injured person, it should be left until emergency services arrive.
RESPONSE
Check for a response by talking to the patient and asking some simple questions, such as:
"Are you ok?"
"Can you hear me?"
"Can I help you?"
When we ask these questions, it is important to remember that the injured person may have other disabilities that prevent them from answering, so also ask them to do things like blink if they can hear you.
If they don't answer your questions, squeeze the person's shoulders and ask if they can hear you. If the injured person doesn't respond, we must send for help.
SEND FOR HELP
If possible, ask another bystander to call 000 or (112 from a mobile) and ask for an ambulance. If possible, it is important that they stay close by so the relevant information can be passed to the Ambulance service. The person calling should not hang up until advised by the operator.
If you are unsure of what to do, the operator can provide instructions over the phone. Once we have sent for help, we need to clear the airway.
At this point, we should also send for first aid equipment such as defibrillators (AEDs) and other first aiders if available.
AIRWAY
Ensure the airway is clear to do this:
Check the mouth for foreign material
Open the airway using backward head tilt and chin grip (infant head should be kept neutral)
BREATHING
Check if the injured person is breathing normally. This is done by:
Look for movement of the lower chest and upper abdomen
Feel for movement of the lower chest and upper abdomen
Ignore any occasional gasps - these shouldn't be considered breathing
If there is no breathing, we must commence CPR
CPR
Give 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths (30:2)
If you can't give rescue breathes perform continuous compressions
When giving rescue breaths, ensure there is appropriate head tilt to allow breathing into the lungs.
Compressions should be in the centre of the chest and 1/3 of the depth of the patient's chest. They should be performed at a rate of 100 - 120 compressions per minute.
Infants will not require head tilt and will only need two fingers for chest compressions.
DEFIBRILLATION
As soon as possible, a defibrillator (also known as an AED) should be applied to the patient, and prompts should follow
CONTINUE CPR UNTIL:
The patient recovers
Medical help arrives and directs you to stop
You are physically unable to continue
To learn more about the DRSABCD and other life saving skills, contact Anzen First Aid today on 1300 269 361 or at anzenfirstaid.com.au
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