The four steps of first aid are: 1) assess the situation and any dangers, 2) diagnose what is wrong with the patient, 3) provide immediate treatment, and 4) arrange appropriate transport. When assessing a patient, check for response, send for help if needed, ensure their airway is clear, check their breathing and circulation, and use defibrillation if needed. The level of consciousness is assessed on a scale of alert, responding to voice, responding to pain, or unresponsive.

1. FIRST AID
ASSESSMENT
1

2. THE FOUR STEPS OF FIRST AID
1. To ASSESS the situation, to check out every aspect of the
incident.
2. To make a DIAGNOSIS to find out what is wrong with the
patient.
3. To give immediate and appropriate TREATMENT to the
injured.
4. To arrange appropriate TRANSPORT.

3. ASSESSMENT - DANGER
DANGER
This is the top priority.
Do not put yourself at risk.
Look after you first, then the patient, and then other
people.
Only move an accident patient if there is immediate
danger.
When it is safe, assess the patient.

4. ASSESSMENT - RESPONSE
RESPONSE
Are you OK?
Check for a response, if the person is not OK.

5. ASSESSMENT - SEND
SEND
Send for help.
111 ambulance (for New Zealand).

6. AIRWAY
Is it clear and open?
BREATHING
Is the patient breathing? Is it enough? Are they breathing
normally?
CIRCULATION
If they are breathing they do have a pulse, but we must take
care of loosing blood. Assess and control severe bleeding.
DEFIBRILATE
If patient not breathing normally, start CPR and source a
defibrillator as soon as possible.
ASSESSMENT - ABCD

7. ASSESSMENT – THE LEVEL OF
CONSCIOUSNESS
ALERT
Conscious and alert. Responds normally to conversation.
VOICE
Conscious or unconscious responding to voice. Vague response
to conversation, unaware of injuries, memory loss.
PAIN
Unconscious responding to pain. Responds to pain, but not to
voice.
UNRESPONDING
Unconscious and unresponsive. Does not respond to pain or
voice. It can be coma.