First Aid—Initial Steps Online Course
It’s not always clear what to do in situations that require first aid. This initial first aid course introduces the “DR. ABC” method, which is a set of easy-to-follow guidelines for what to do in emergency first aid situations. This online first aid course explains the purpose and limits of emergency first aid, the importance of quickly calling for emergency medical assistance, and general legal information about providing first aid.
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Learning Objectives
By the end of this emergency first aid training course, you will be able to:
- Explain the purpose of emergency first aid
- Explain the importance of summoning emergency medical assistance in a first-aid situation
- Explain general legal guidelines related to providing first aid
- List and describe the five steps of the DR. ABC method in order
- Explain how to perform each step of DR. ABC
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | Industry Standards and Best Practices |
Key Questions
The goal of first aid in a medical emergency is to provide temporary assistance to the victim until qualified emergency medical personnel are available to step in. The Red Cross estimates that 59% of deaths from injuries could have been prevented with timely first aid prior to emergency services arriving. Proper and swift first aid, therefore, can help save lives and prevent prolonged injury and illness.
What should a person do after arriving at the scene of a first aid emergency?Implement the mnemonic device “DR. ABC,” which is an effective guide for working through the initial steps of an emergency first aid situation.
What do the different letters in DR. ABC stand for?DR. ABC is an acronym designed to help you remember the initial first aid technique for treating injuries. It stands for:
- Danger: Make sure the area is safe before approaching the victim
- Responsive: Check to see if the person is responsive
- Airway: Check to see if the person’s airway is clear
- Breathing: Check if the person is breathing normally
- Circulating: Look for signs of severe bleeding
If possible to do so safely, remove the obstruction and check to see if the victim begins to breathe.
What should a person do if the victim's not breathing?Provide the victim with artificial respiration. See our Breathing Emergencies first aid course to learn more.
What should a person do if the victim's heart isn't beating?Provide the victim with CPR or hands-only CPR. Use our CPR first aid course to learn how to properly perform CPR.
Sample Video Transcript
“For many people, the immediate reaction upon seeing a sick or injured person is to rush in and try to help. While the desire to help is a good one, it can lead to acting too quickly and rushing into a potentially dangerous situation. In the following sections, you’ll learn some basic precautions to follow that will help keep you safe if you ever have to provide first aid.”
Additional Resources
- American Red Cross – www.redcross.org
- America Red Cross First Aid and CPR training – www.redcross.org/ux/take-a-class
- Mayo Clinic – www.mayoclinic.org
- Mayo Clinic First Aid Web Pages – www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid
- WebMD – www.webmd.com
- WebMD First Aid & Emergencies: www.webmd.com/first-aid/default.htm
- Centers for Disease Control – www.cdc.gov/
Course Applies To
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