First Aid | Jake Bennett

Session outline

What we cover today.

🔍

Assessing the scene

DR ABC — Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Safe approach. Calling for help. Priorities when arriving at an incident.

💗

CPR — Adults

30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths. Rate: 100–120 per minute. Depth: 5–6cm. Continue until AED is attached or help arrives.

👶

CPR — Children and infants

5 initial rescue breaths before CPR. 30:2 ratio (children) or 2 fingers (infants). Shallower compressions. Same rate.

⚡

AED — Defibrillation

Switch on, follow voice prompts, attach pads, stand clear, deliver shock. Resume CPR immediately after. Do not delay defibrillation.

🩹

Bleeding and wounds

Direct pressure. Elevate. Do not remove embedded objects. Severe arterial bleed — tourniquet if trained. When to call 999.

🫁

Choking

Adults — 5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts. Infants — 5 back blows, 5 chest thrusts. Unconscious — CPR. Call 999 if not resolved quickly.

💊

Shock and anaphylaxis

Lie flat, raise legs. Signs of anaphylaxis. Using an auto-injector (EpiPen). Call 999. Repeat injection after 5–15 minutes if no improvement.

🛏️

Recovery position

Unconscious and breathing — HAINES recovery position. Open airway. Monitor breathing. Do not leave alone. Be ready to restart CPR.

CPR sequence

Adult CPR — step by step.

1

Check for danger

Make sure the scene is safe for you, the casualty and bystanders. Do not approach an unsafe scene.

2

Check for response

Shout, tap shoulders. No response — shout for help, call or ask someone to call 999.

3

Open the airway

Head tilt / chin lift. Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.

4

Begin compressions

30 compressions at 100–120/min. Centre of chest. 5–6cm depth. Full chest recoil. Minimal interruptions.

5

Give rescue breaths

2 rescue breaths. Head tilt, chin lift, pinch nose, seal over mouth, breathe until chest rises. Each breath: 1 second. If breaths fail — return to compressions.

6

Continue 30:2 — use the AED as soon as available

Do not stop CPR to find AED. Send a bystander. Attach pads without stopping compressions. Follow AED voice prompts. Stand clear when prompted. Resume CPR immediately after shock.

Remember: Any CPR is better than no CPR. If you are not confident with rescue breaths, deliver compression-only CPR at 100–120 per minute without stopping until help arrives.

Key numbers to remember

30:2

Compression ratio

100–120

Per minute

5–6cm

Compression depth

999

Emergency number

Useful links

First Aid Resources.