PRIMARY SURVEY — DRABC:
D — Danger: assess scene for hazards (traffic, fire, chemicals)
R — Response: AVPU scale
A = Alert (eyes open, responds normally)
V = Voice (responds to voice)
P = Pain (responds to painful stimulus)
U = Unresponsive (no response)
A — Airway: open with head-tilt chin-lift
B — Breathing: look, listen, feel for 10 seconds
C — Circulation: check for severe bleeding
SECONDARY SURVEY:
Head-to-toe examination after life threats controlled
SAMPLE history: Signs/Symptoms | Allergies | Medications
Past medical history | Last meal | Events
TRIAGE (multiple casualties):
START method:
RED (Immediate): life-threatening, survivable
YELLOW (Delayed): serious but stable
GREEN (Minor): walking wounded
BLACK (Expectant): deceased or unsurvivable
VITAL SIGNS (normal ranges):
Adult pulse: 60–100 bpm | Respiratory rate: 12–20/min
SpO2: 95–100% | Temperature: 36.5–37.5°C
Capillary refill: <2 seconds
DIABETIC EMERGENCY:
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar — more common):
Signs: shakiness, sweating, confusion, pale, fast pulse
Conscious: give sugar — glucose tablets, fruit juice, regular soda
Unconscious: recovery position, call 999, do NOT give food/drink
Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar):
Signs: gradual onset, thirst, frequent urination, fruity breath
Action: medical attention required, monitor consciousness
SEIZURE MANAGEMENT:
Protect from injury — move sharp/hard objects away
Do NOT restrain or put anything in mouth
Time the seizure duration
Recovery position when movements stop
Call 999 if: first seizure | >5 min | no recovery | injury | pregnant
STROKE — FAST test:
Face: drooping on one side?
Arms: weakness, cannot raise both equally?
Speech: slurred or confused?
Time: call 999 immediately — every minute brain cells die
HEART ATTACK:
Signs: chest pain (may radiate arm/jaw), breathlessness, sweating, nausea
Sit comfortable, loosen clothing
Aspirin 300mg if not allergic and not already taken
Call 999 immediately
Be prepared to start CPR
DRABC: Danger → Response (AVPU) → Airway → Breathing → Circulation
AVPU: Alert | Voice | Pain | Unresponsive — quick consciousness scale
TRIAGE: RED (immediate) | YELLOW (delayed) | GREEN (minor) | BLACK (expectant)
HYPO: give sugar (conscious) | HYPER: medical attention
STROKE: FAST test → call 999 immediately (time = brain tissue)
HEART ATTACK: sit, aspirin 300mg (if OK), call 999, prepare CPR