This document outlines the principles of first aid and how to approach an incident. It defines first aid as emergency care provided before medical help arrives. The aims of first aid are to preserve life, prevent further injury, protect the unconscious, promote recovery, and access medical aid. When approaching an incident, one should reduce risks, minimize risks of missing injuries, and prioritize injuries by severity. The primary survey involves assessing danger, response, airway, breathing, and circulation. The secondary survey includes a more thorough history taking and head-to-toe physical examination.

1. Introduction: Principles of First Aid and Approach to an Incident. Offshore First Aid Course

2. Scope Principles of First Aid What is First Aid? Aims of First Aid Approach to an Incident Primary Survey Vital Signs Survey Secondary Survey Accessing Assistance

3. Objectives Understanding of the Definition and Aims of First Aid. Correctly Approach An Incident in a safe and structured manner Describe Primary Survey , Vital Signs Survey and Secondary Survey. Correctly Access Assistance .

4. What is First Aid? “ Emergency care provided for injury or sudden illness before medical care is available”.

5. Aims of First Aid The aims of first aid are: To preserve life To prevent further injury To protect the unconscious To promote recovery To access medical aid

6. Approach to an Incident A systematic approach: Primary Survey Vital Signs Survey Secondary Survey Accessing Assistance

7. Approach to an Incident Reduce risk of themselves or others Minimise risk of missing potentially serious injuries Prioritise the casualty’s injuries to enable management in order of severity

8. Primary Survey A quick assessment of the overall scenario prior to becoming involved (DR ABC) Danger Response Airway Breathing Circulation

9. Primary Survey: Danger

10. Primary Survey: Response

11. Primary Survey: Airway

12. Primary Survey: Breathing

13. Primary Survey: Circulation

14. Vital Signs Survey Further assessment of the casualty’s physical condition, while waiting for the arrival of an ambulance. Pulse, Breathing Pattern Conscious Level

15. Vital Signs Survey: Pulse Rate Strength Rhythm

16. Vital Signs Survey: Breathing Pattern Rate Depth Quality Noise

17. Vital Signs Survey: Conscious Level Alert Voice Pain Unconscious

18. Secondary Survey A more thorough assessment of the victim Systematic Questioning (History Taking) Head-to-Toe Physical Examination

19. Secondary Survey: History Where does it hurt? What happened? When did it happen? Why did it happen How did it happen?

20. Secondary Survey: Head-to-toe Examination General Signs and Symptoms Head and Neck Chest and Abdomen Spine (Back) Arms and Hands Legs and Feet