The emergency action plan

THE EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

The emergency action plan consists of Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation. These steps are also commonly called DR-ABC.

Danger (Hazards, risks, safety):

Be sure that there is no threat in or around the scene. If present, you can either remove the threat or move the causality to a safer place. If the risk can not be removed or the causality is severly injuried wait for the medical help.

Response:

Check the casualty for a response by touching the casualty on the shoulders and asking loudly ‘are you all right?’ This is known as the ‘Touch & Talk’ technique. There is no need to shake a casualty to gain a response. A casualty that does not react should be considered unconscious.

There are three levels of consciousness:

• fully conscious - the casualty is responsive and alert and aware of time and place.
• semi-conscious - the casualty is drowsy or confused.
• unconscious - the casualty is unresponsive.

If the casualty does not respond:

• shout for help.
• check the airway.

Airway:

Ensuring a clear airway is essential to allow the casualty to breathe. Check the airway is ‘open & clear’.

To Open Airway:
Place your hand on the forehead place your fingertips under the point of the casualty’s chin.
- Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway.
- Remove any visible foreign bodies.

If Airway Is Obstructed:
• roll casualty onto side ( recovery position ).
• remove any visible obstruction from the victim’s mouth

• remove dislodged or loose dentures
• leave well fitting dentures in place

If Airway Is Clear: check breathing.

Breathing:

Keep the airway open and check for normal breathing.

• look, listen and feel for no more than 10 seconds for normal breathing
• look to see if the chest rises
• listen for the sound of normal breathing
• feel for air against your cheek

If Breathing Present:

• roll into recovery position .
• check the casualty’s condition and get help if needed.
• observe and reassess the casualty for continued breathing regularly.

If Breathing Absent:

• send or go for help.
• open the airway with head tilt and chin lift
• close the casualty’s nose
• give 2 breaths: blow into the casualty’s mouth for about 1 second
• watch for chest rise with each breath
• give second breath (use a shield barrier if one is available)

If the victim remains unresponsive (no breathing, coughing or moving), check his circulation.