Terms commonly used in relation to First Aid.
ABC's
Airway, Breathing and Circulation.
Abrasion
A superficial wound in which the topmost layers of the skin are torn.
Additional Precautions
Those work practices recommended for specified patients known or suspected to be infected or colonised with epidemiologically important or highly transmissible pathogens that can cause infection.
Advanced Life Support (ALS)
The provision of effective airway management, ventilation of the lungs and production of a circulation by means of techniques additional to those of BASIC LIFE SUPPORT. These techniques may include, but not be limited to, advanced airway management, tracheal intubation, intravenous access/drug therapy and defibrillation.
Adrenalin
Raises blood pressure, opens airways and reduces throat swelling in anaphylaxis.
AED
Automated External Defibrillator.
Airway
The passages which transfer air from the outside environment to the lungs; the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli.
Ample
Assessment considerations - Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal and fluid intake, Event that prompted first aid attention.
Artery
A blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart; contains oxygen-rich, high-pressure blood in the systemic cardiorespiratory system.
Asthma
Severe breathing problem involving the lower airways and consequently the ability for oxygen to enter the blood circulation system.
Avulsion
A tearing away of a section of skin from the layers of tissue beneath it.
Anaphylaxis
An acute, severe allergic reaction, which can be triggered by a variety of allergens, and can be life-threatening.
Angina
Temporary chest pain or discomfort resulting from a reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. Unlike heart attack, angina does not mean the heart muscle is damaged.
Auto Injector (Epipen & Anapen)
Single use injecting device for assisting with the management of anaphylaxis by providing a precise and measured dose of a solution containing adrenalin.
Automated External Defibrillator
A defibrillator, for use outside of the body, which analyses the electrical rhythm of the heart and charges automatically if a "shockable" rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) is recognised. It provides the operator with audible and/or visual prompts on actions required for safe delivery of an electrical shock.
Bystander
Any person, trained or untrained, who may assist in an emergency situation, but not as part of a duty of employment. A person who witnesses an incident or comes across a victim who has collapsed or is injured.
Back Blow
A forceful blow between the shoulder blades with the heel of the hand in an effort to clear a foreign body from the airway of a victim with severe airway obstruction who is conscious.
Basic Life Support
The preservation of life by the initial establishment of, and/or maintenance of, airway, breathing, circulation and related emergency care, including use of an AED.
Bradycardia
A slow pulse generally a pulse less than 50 beats per minute at rest.
Capillary
The smallest blood vessels in the body.
Cardiac Arrest
Cessation of heart action recognised by the absence of response, absence of normal breathing and absence of movement.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Comprises those techniques used to minimise the effects of circulatory arrest and to assist the return of spontaneous circulation, including the technique of rescue breathing combined with external chest compressions.
Carotid Artery
The main artery providing blood supply to the head.
Causation
Determination of whether the defendant's actions are causally linked to any harm.
Chest Thrust
A sharp, forceful chest compression delivered at the same point as for an external chest compression during CPR in an effort to clear a foreign body from the airway of a conscious victim with severe airway obstruction.
Child
a. a "young child" is aged between 1 and 8 years. b. an "older child" is aged between 9 and 14 years inclusive.
Chin Lift
The practice of supporting an unconscious victim's jaw to assist in maintaining an open airway. Usually combined with HEAD TILT.
Choking
Life-threatening acute obstruction of the upper airway.
Circulation
The movement of blood throughout the body under the pressure provided by the heart.
Consciousness
A state of a person's response or lack thereof.
Consent
A legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon an appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of an action.
Collapse
A state of prostration resulting from a severe injury or medical condition in which the victim may be either unconscious or semiconscious.
C.P.R.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Cyanosis
The bluish coloration of the skin due to the presence of deoxygenated blood near the skin surface; occurs when the oxygen saturation of arterial blood falls below 85%.
Defibrillation
Delivering a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the affected heart with a device called a defibrillator.
Diabetes
a disease causing an inability to regulate the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Distal
The point on a limb furthest from its point of attachment to the body.
Drowning
Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid.
D.R.S.A.B.C.D.
Dangers, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillation.
Duty of Care
A legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring that they exercise a reasonable standard of care while Provideing any acts that could foreseeably harm others.
E.M.S.
Emergency Medical System or Emergency Medical Services.
Envenomation
The introduction to the body of poisonous substances produced by animals. This may result from a bite, sting or penetrating wound.
Finger Sweep
Use of the rescuer's fingers to try to dislodge a foreign body from a victim's mouth.
First Aid
Those assessments and interventions that can be Provideed by a bystander (or by the victim) with minimal or no medical equipment, initial emergency care.
First Aider or First Aid Provider
A person with formal training in first aid, emergency care, or medicine who provides first aid.
First Responder
A first responder is a person competent in advanced first aid (including oxygen administration and the use of an automated external defibrillator). A first responder may be a salaried/non-salaried member of a fire/police/ambulance service, a community based organisation (e.g. first aid and water safety/rescue services), or any other organisation having in place the necessary systems.
Fist Pacing
The delivery of serial, rhythmic blows with the closed fist over the left lower edge of the sternum to pace the heart at a physiological rate of 50 to 70 beats per minute.
Good Samaritan
A person who in good faith and without expectation of payment or reward comes to the aid of an injured, apparently injured or person at risk of injury with assistance or advice.
Guidelines
Systematically developed statements to assist in the practice and teaching of a skill. Guidelines are a distillation of current evidence and opinion and best practice.
H.A.R.M.
Soft tissue injury management includes the NO HARM principle for 48 to 72 hours after injury - NO Heat, Alcohol, Running or Massage.
Head Tilt
Backward tilting of the head to assist in achieving a clear airway. Usually combined with CHIN LIFT.
Health Care Professional
(in the context of first aid, pre-hospital care and resuscitation) A person who is a registered medical practitioner, registered nurse or qualified ambulance paramedic or Australian Defence Force medic.
History
One of the 3 parts of a secondary survey, what has happened.
Hypothermia
A condition in which the core body temperature is abnormally low (35°C or below).
Hyperventilation Syndrome
Symptoms and signs which result from over-breathing.
Hypoxia
A condition in which insufficient oxygen reaches body tissues.
Immediate Life Support (ILS)
Provision, by a first responder, of basic airway management, ventilation, basic drug delivery and defibrillation using a manual defibrillator or AED in addition to BLS.
Incision
A clean cut caused by a sharp-edged object.
Infant
A person less than approximately one year of age.
Insulin
A hormone that allows glucose to travel from the bloodstream into the cells.
Laceration
Irregular wounds caused by impact to soft tissue which lies over hard tissue causing tearing of skin.
Landmark
The location of compressions, on the midline of the chest, in line with the nipples.
Lateral Position
A position in which an unconscious victim is placed on one side with the weight supported by the under shoulder, under hip and the upper knee, the upper leg being flexed at the hip. The face is turned slightly downwards to allow the tongue to fall forwards so that saliva or vomit will drain out.
Left Lateral Tilt Position
The position achieved in a pregnant woman, who lying on her back with her shoulders flat has sufficient padding under the right buttock to give an obvious pelvic tilt to the left.
Liability
A legal doctrine that makes a person responsible for the damage and loss caused by their acts and omissions regardless of culpability, the requirements to prove liability are: a) a duty of care exists. b) the standard of care was breached. c) causation exists.
Myocardial Infarction
Heart attack, bleeding or blockage cutting off blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
Nailbed
The tissue under the nail, pinching the nail and observing the blood return to the nailbed is a good test of circulation at that location.
Negligence
Negligence is when someone who owes you a duty of care, has failed to act according to a reasonable standard of care and this has caused injury.
Neonate
An infant in the first 28 days of life.
Newborn
An infant in the first minutes to hours following birth.
Oedema
Swelling in the lower legs and ankles. Oedema is caused by a fluid build-up in the body.
Precordial Thump
A single, sharp blow delivered by the rescuer's fist to the mid-sternum of the victim's chest.
Pressure Bandage
A wide bandage applied firmly, as part of the Pressure Immobilisation Technique, around a limb to delay absorption of venom following a bite or sting.
Proximal
The point on a limb closest to its point of attachment to the body.
Puncture
A wound caused by an object puncturing the skin.
Respiratory Arrest
Cessation of spontaneous ventilatory efforts.
Semi-Prone Position
A position which keeps the tongue from obstructing the airway and allows any fluids to drain from the mouth (recovery position).
Signs
One of the 3 parts of a secondary survey, visible problems.
Standard
A set of criteria against which quality of Provideance may be assessed. Such assessment may have legal, regulatory, industrial or occupational implications.
Standard of Care
The degree of prudence and caution required of an individual who is under a duty of care, the requirements of the standard are closely dependent on circumstances.
Standard Precautions
Work practices required for the basic level of infection control and recommended for the treatment and care of all patients.
STOP
Prior to secondary assessment adopt the STOP principle - Stop any activity, Talk to the injured person, Observe the injured person, Prevent further injury.
Stroke
Momentary reduction in blood flow and consequently oxygen to a part of the brain resulting in brain injury.
Sudden Death
Unexpected death that is instantaneous or occurs within minutes or hours from any cause other than violence.
Symptoms
One of the 3 parts of a secondary survey, described problems.
Tachycardia
A rapid pulse generally a pulse over 100 at rest.
TOTAPS
Used to make a full assessment after both DRSABCD and STOP have been completed, enables proper assessment and managment of injuries - Talk, Observe, Touch, Active movement, Passive movement, Skills test.
Torniquet
A constricting device (preferably wide) applied firmly to a limb above an injury/amputation and tightened to control life-threatening bleeding.
Training Manikin
A physical model of part of the human body used to practice and demonstrate psychomotor skills and the physical effort required in Provideing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
A brief episode of cerebral ischaemia usually characterized by temporary blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis or syncope, and that is predictive of a serious stroke. Also called a mini-stroke.
Unconsciousness
A state of unrousable unresponsiveness, where the victim is unaware of their surroundings and no purposeful response can be obtained.
Vein
A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart; most veins carry low-oxygen blood.
Ventricular Fibrillation
An abnormal heart rhythm occurring when no organised electrical impulse controls heart contractions, causing the heart to fail to pump blood.
Volunteer (Important Person!)
A volunteer is defined as an individual who provides service in relation to community work on a voluntary basis but this does not preclude the receipt of remuneration that he or she would receive whether the service be provided or not or recoupment of out-of-pocket expenses.