There are many different situations in which you should give first aid. But when do I really have to give first aid and how can I help? These are questions that occupy many unenlightened people. The ABC of First Aid and the ABCDE of First Aid can help. We will enlighten you.
What is the ABC of First Aid?
The First Aid ABC is primarily used to provide an overview of the many different emergency situations. With our overview, you can see at a glance which emergency situations can arise in everyday life. If you would like to learn more about a topic, simply click on the emergency situation. You can then find out more about a topic in our specialist articles. Because in every emergency situation you have to pay attention to other special features. For trained rescue workers, there is also a general guide for emergencies.
But general tips can also help you in an emergency situation. If you are in shock or overwhelmed with the situation in an emergency, you still have our TarisApp. With our app, you can not only dial the emergency number, but also ask medically trained staff nearby for help. This allows you to bridge the long waiting time until the emergency services arrive with professional help. Because in an emergency, every second counts!
The First Aid ABC
- Anaphylactic shock
- Acute diseases
- Shortness of breath
- Epileptic seizure
- Concussion
- Heart attack
- Fainting
- Electric injury
- Sunstroke
- Shock
- Stroke
- Burns
What is the difference to the First Aid ABCDE?
The First Aid ABCDE is a specific scheme for the provision of first aid by the emergency services. Paramedics learn to apply the ABCDE scheme during training and thus this scheme is part of the routine. The ABCDE scheme is intended to ensure the best possible first aid performance when the paramedics arrive. A paramedic always follows the following 5 steps.
A for Airway
When the emergency services arrive at the scene of the accident, the first step is to check the airways. You must make sure that the airways are clear. If the airways are not clear, the victim can only be supplied with oxygen to a limited extent. This can have further consequences for the brain, for example. If the brain is not supplied with enough oxygen, longterm damage can occur.
Thus, a paramedic must first expose the airways. There are different methods for this. Depending on the situation, the paramedic uses a different method. In many cases, people who are unconscious swallow their own tongue. In this case, it is necessary to act quickly and unblock the airway with the tongue.
B for Breathing
Once the airways are cleared, the next step is to check the breathing of th person concerned. Is there breathing? Is there only weak breathing? Or is the affected person breathing normally for the most part? Here, paramedics have to pay attention to different points. Above all, seeing, hearing and feeling should help.
Because breathing can be seen, for example, when the chest rises and falls. But breathing can also be heard. Paramedics approach the face of the affected person and listen for breathing. Seeing and hearing can then be further supported by feeling. If there is no breathing, the paramedic will start oxygenation. If breathing is present, they move on to the next step.
C for Circulation
During circulation, a paramedic checks the pulse, the colour of the skin, the temperature, the humidity and possible bleeding on the body. The first step is to check the pulse. The main artery on the neck or wrist helps with this. The paramedic then observes the pulse rate. Then the skin is checked to see if it is pale. In addition, the temperature of the person affected is checked and whether the person is sweating.
Once these points have been worked through, the affected person is examined for possible bleeding. If there is bleeding, it must be stopped as soon as possible to stabilise the circulation. If the affected person continues to lose blood, it is difficult to stabilise the circulation.
D like Disabillity (neurological condition)
Disabillity is about the neurological functions or limitations of the person affected. Among other things, the pupil reaction or orientation is checked. Light is usually used to check the reaction. These methods should provide information as to whether the neurological condition is impaired.
The examination is supported by further methods or by applying further schemes. If there are signs of impairment of the neurological condition, the paramedics can transport the affected person to an appropriate specialised clinic. This can prevent further damage to the nervous system.
E like Exposure (undressing)
In the last step, affected persons are always undressed so that further injuries are not overlooked. In this way, injuries that are not visible at first sight can be diagnosed and treated. If further injuries are overlooked and thus not treated, this can be enormously dangerous for the affected person.
However, undressing can also serve to relieve pain and protect against environmental influences. It is important for paramedics to ensure that the person does not get hypothermic when undressing.
Conclusion
The First Aid ABC serves as an orientation about possible emergency situations, while the First Aid ABCDE is primarily intended to serve as an aid for trained paramedics. However, the ABCDE scheme can also be interesting for non-trained paramedics and serve as an orientation in an emergency. Nevertheless, the ABCDE scheme is mainly intended for trained medical personnel. If you want to know how to act in an emergency, read our article “Providing first aid: whatto dowhen my help is needed?”.
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